Kalakshetra Foundation's annual tribute to its founder - Taalam: column by Leela Venkataraman

Established in 1936, Kalakshetra, in the very space it made its home finally in Thiruvanmiyur, which its founder, with a handful of enthusiasts, built almost brick by brick, a yearly festival titled Remembering Rukmini Devi intrigues this critic. Why? For the simple reason that unencumbered by present day voices advocating change, this is one institution, where not a smidgen of compromise would be acceptable even today, in what has come down the years, passed down to students as Rukmini Athai's approach to Bharatanatyam. Every aspect of Kalakshetra still resonates with strong vibes of the founder's image. So where is the question of remembering her? Birthday Homage to Rukmini Devi, would be a more understandable title for the three-day event, marking her birthday.

The number of repeat performances over the years of her dance drama productions, particularly the half a dozen episodes built round the Valmiki Ramayana text, between the late 1950s to 1970, would be legion. 

Read more in the site

Please provide your name / email id along with your comment. Anonymous and derogatory comments will be removed.