Homage to Rukmini Devi Click here for a slide show.

The famed campus in Chennai wore a festive look and celebrations began early morning. It commenced with a procession of artistes from the Bharata Kalakshetra auditorium to the Banyan tree within the campus. Participating were students of Kalakshetra and other institutions too. Singing bhajans, they carried a portrait of Rukmini Devi, in a decorated palanquin. Among the senior artistes were the Dhananjayans, Sarada Hoffman, Pashupathi, S.R.Janakiraman, C.V.Chandrasekar, Adyar Lakshmanan, Krishnaveni Lakshmanan and Chitra Visweswaran.

Under the Banyan tree, it was a moment of peace when the universal prayer was recited and sung.

Senior alumnus Dhananjayan introduced the speakers who shared memories of their days atKalakshetra. Sarada teacher (as she is called by Kalakshetra students) gave the welcome address. Here, she said that the famed institution now was initially started as Besant Cultural Centre. Growing as one of its branches was Kalakshetra. She added that she expected more participation at the event that morning, as it was a time to get Rukmini Devi's blessings. She also recalled that on the 81st birthday of Rukmini Devi, the Kalakshetra campus overflowed with people.

Savithri Nair had come all the way from Paris to participate in this event. She spoke about Rukmini Devi's sense of humor. In between, Dhananjayan added short anecdotes of his Kalakshetra days. Alumnus Sumitra Gautham, spoke about Rukmini Devi's involvement with nature.

Singapore based musician Sathyalingam, was in tears when he recollected his days at Kalakshetra.

Kamakshi, a former Principal of the Besant Arumndale school, released a small book she had authored on Rukmini Devi.

And as for the evening, the Kalakshetra auditorium was jam packed. There were speeches by cine-fame Amala (who spoke about Rukmini Devi's passion for animal welfare) and Anandi Ramachandran among others. Performances featured V.P.Dhananjayan (who did a Kathakali piece), Shantha Dhananjayan, Ambika Buch, Kala Ramesh Rao and a special appearance by Sarada Hoffman. Youngsters like Priyashri Rao and Gayathri Blagurunathan were also part of the show. Savithri Jagannatha Rao, Krishnaveni Lakshmanan and Adyar Lakshmanan were part of the music team.

Also featured that evening were folk dances.

On the whole, it was a coming together of dancers and musicians branched out from an institution that has groomed generations of artistes. And bringing them together was this occasion of rememberance. In all, it was a tribute to a great artiste...Rukmini Devi.

Click here to read about the centenary celebrations of Rukmini Devi, put together by dancer Apsara Ramgopal in Malaysia.