Rukmini Arundale & Kalakshetra - Reminiscences

kal · Post by **kal** » 08 Sep 2014, 23:47

My aunt, Smt.Saradha Swaminathan, was a Music Teacher at the Besant Theosophical High School for 25 years. Besides the usual music classes for the students, one of the main responsibilities in that school was to have a different song (in different language) every morning for the prayer to be sung by 4 or 5 students. The students have to be different each day! That means, instead of a few students being identified as musically inclined and trained to sing for any function / prayer, in BTHS, every student was to be nurtured in music.

This is not the end of the story. Most of the days, Rukmini Devi Arundale will be present during the prayer. And, after the prayer, she will quiz the students on the meaning of the song, composer, circumstances in which it was composed, the raga, thala and what not. Naturally, the music teacher assignment was very challenging for my aunt, constantly training a few set of students for next week's prayer songs. Due to her sheer passion for music and friendly attitude towards the children, my aunt could ensure that the Legend always left after the prayer with a smile on her face:) Many times, Rukmini Devi complimented my aunt for her selection of songs, and the quality of rendering by the students. And, we tend to think that a music teacher's job is one of the easiest in schools...

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 09 Sep 2014, 00:02

Kal,
My limited acquaintance with Kalakshetra through my sister in law who studied there, my several visits for events and performances, my interactions with many who knew Atthai well tells me that your aunt should have been a great teacher to enjoy her confidence for so many years. The way Rukmini Devi created lasting masterpieces with her own choreography and music from legends shows her high standards. How many times have I been moved by the Ramayana dance dramas!

kal · Post by **kal** » 09 Sep 2014, 00:16

Of course, my aunt was indeed a great teacher... besides teaching in school, all the neighbourhood children used to come home to learn carnatic music from her - as in the 60s and 70s there were hardly any other music teacher around in Besant Nagar. Even after she moved to Radhakrishna Nagar (close to Sastri Nagar), there used to be a flood of children as well as others wanting to learn. Especially, after her voluntary retirement in 1985, music classes at home used to be from 6 a.m to 10 p.m depending on the convenience of the students. During day time, ladies used to come to learn Hindustani Bhajans. My aunt had learnt for over 7 years from Sri P S Srinivasa Rao a WHOLE LOT ( 500+) of bhajans (Meera, Kabir, Surdas et al). Also we used to have Tiruppugazh classes conducted by Smt.Mangala Mani mami (a disciple of Calcutta Krishnamurthy) at home. Besides, there also used to be classes for Kamakshi Navavarnams, Mukunda Mala etc.
I've also had the fortune of attending to several dance dramas in Kalakshetra, a class apart.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 09 Sep 2014, 01:21

Kal, many thanks for initiating this thread.
May I suggest that you change the title of the thread, since the present title conveys a completely different impression about what the thread is about? Perhaps something like: "Reminiscences about Rukmini Arundale and Kalakshetra" would be more appropriate...

Thank you.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 09 Sep 2014, 10:01

Some snippets
Those touched by Atthai vouch for her scholarship, creativity, perfectionism, management skills, and utter parsimony.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 09 Sep 2014, 10:03

Just curious. How did the moniker "Atthai" come to be?

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 09 Sep 2014, 11:11

http://m.rediff.com/news/2004/mar/01spec.htm

Shanta Dhananjayan writes:

I joined Kalakshetra in 1952, at the age of eight. Rukmini Devi was then touring the US. I heard others talk about this wonderful lady called Athai and I wondered who she was. Rukmini Devi's niece, Radha, used to call her Athai (Tamilians call their father's younger sister Athai). In no time, Rukmini Devi became Athai to everyone at Kalakshetra.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 09 Sep 2014, 11:26

Thank you, RSachi. Very interesting interview also.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 10 Sep 2014, 03:38

Rsachi wrote:Some snippets
Those touched by Atthai vouch for her scholarship, creativity, perfectionism, management skills, and utter parsimony.

??? Parsimony is not usually thought of as a positive quality! I'm sure you meant something else!

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 10 Sep 2014, 08:01

I meant parsimony in its true unadulterated connotation of stinginess and paying artistes and staff very poorly.
Yes, not a very positive quality...
I have heard this from at least four really good/great Kalakshetra teachers who were with Athai >20 years, each.

kal · Post by **kal** » 10 Sep 2014, 21:09

I agree with Rsachi on this point.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 11 Sep 2014, 01:36

OK, Rsachi... then you meant the word, indeed, as I understand it --- and I can now understand your post

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 11 Sep 2014, 07:30

A classic case where the Principle of Parsimony does not work
One has to walk through Kalakshetra often to find that Parsimony to some in one generation could be all about selfless generosity to the future generations .
No Sir
Parsimony is something I would not associate with the Athhai.
Even if I were a lowly paid Associate
This thread is about expanding the assumptions about the subject .Not minimising them
---
I saw her once and had experienced the aura .
She was a critic of animal testing and had refused allopathic drugs.
We knew her end was near ( whose is not ?) and I was recording something on the sly . Her persona had affected the singer.Will come back with it later
---

Occam's razor (also written as Ockham's razor and in Latin lex parsimoniae) is a principle of parsimony, economy, or succinctness used in problem-solving devised by William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347).
It states that among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove correct, but—in the absence of certainty—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 11 Sep 2014, 07:46

Varsha,
In my understanding, there was no assumption, either about Athai's greatness or about her penny-pinching ways. I simply stated what I had heard many times.

In 1960/61, we went from Bangalore and attended a lavish family wedding in Adayar. It was a three day affair with MSS, Ariyakudi etc. singing on successive days. My mother had known about Rukmini Devi and wanted to visit Kalakshetra nearby in the Theosophical Society campus. She took me and my sister (we were too young to understand the greatness of all these people then). Rukmini Devi was graciousness itself. We were shown around. I remember the library and the banyan tree.
The highlight was a visit to Sri Mysore Vasudevacharya's cottage. He was seated outside in his easy chair and received us and spoke in Kannada about many things. His grand daughter in law offered the traditional tambula etc to my mother.
Later, as she passed us walking back towards the gate in the famous Madras sun, Rukmini Devi offered us a drop in her car,nearby in Adayar.

Twenty years + later when my sister in law was a student in the Thiruvanmiyur campus, at least on 2-3 occasions, we were offered a lift either by Rukmini Devi or Sankara Menon, and talked many interesting things over during the journey back to Adayar.

I mentioned parsimony since I felt compelled, by the narrative of a few long-serving Kalakshetra staff, with an oft repeated theme that mentioned both her greatness and her penny-pinching ways. The staff/artistes were paid a low salary as I heard, and did not get any good payment even after very successful international tours.

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 11 Sep 2014, 10:53

I remember reading how Kalki asked for a rise in salary and Rajaji shot him down saying since he was single, he did not need it. That was perhaps the generation that did not absorb much of Keynes and American consumerism. Rajaji was also called miserly. These people did not attach value to money except that it should be conserved for equitable use. They did not keep something for themselves, but used it for public cause. They have left a rich treasure that is very edifying. Perhaps a word that is less pejorative may be in order.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 11 Sep 2014, 11:10

varsha wrote: One has to walk through Kalakshetra often to find that Parsimony to some in one generation could be all about selfless generosity to the future generations .

Great observation!

It is the "parsimony" of previous generations that has preserved the world for us in this generation. It is our "generousness" that is putting that in question for future generations.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 11 Sep 2014, 11:28

RSachi
I agree completely with your observation and information shared about Rukmini Amma, whose services for the cause of Dance and Music is very well known and recorded. The other factor, very true, were in private conversations of all the Great Maestros/Legends, who were on the faculty. Tiger lamented to SSRao, my father and Guru that Amma cared only when he fell sick and it was the case with all the others. When Amma attained the celebrity status and was in a position to raise the funds to meet the expenditure on the teaching and administration staff, she chose not to do. It is also true that Amma came to support legends in their advance years of age by taking them as staff, with shelter and other minimal comforts, when such gesture and help was not forthcoming from others. I am also privy to the knowledge the struggle of MDR, stricken down with cancer. MDR's rare and the very last meeting was with his Anna, SSRao and MDR in pain and agony and deeply worried about the welfare of his family, after his demise and in tears. MDR breathed last and attained Moksha, in the next few days.
When Amma wanted SSRao to accept her offer for the Principal post, soon after his retirement as Principal, Tamil Nadu Government Music College, SSRao, politely declined the offer, despite the best efforts of Raja Rao. SSRao accepted the offer of Music Academy for Principal post of Teacher's College of Music, MA also not enjoying the good reputation for just payment to the Staff.

munirao2001

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 11 Sep 2014, 11:35

...
The careful and parsimonious of this world are by instinct mathematicians, at
least as far as the four great rules are concerned.It is recorded of most spendthrifts, on the other hand, that the faculty of calculation is an element
lacking in their mental composition. Has the world's history any record of an extravagant mathematician ?]
.....
From LIFE OF OSCAR WILDE
ROBERT HARBOROUGH SHERARD

-----
My Dad was parsimonious too.He gave me a pocket money of Rs 20 till 1980 !!!
Double my sister's , since I was at Engineering College
I Thank God for that

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 11 Sep 2014, 11:44

Tiger lamented to SSRao, my father and Guru that Amma cared only when he fell sick and it was the case with all the others

Smart lady .
Dumb Tiger (for telling such stories about himself to others )

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 11 Sep 2014, 13:34

I am also privy to the knowledge the struggle of MDR, stricken down with cancer. MDR's rare and the very last meeting was with his Anna, SSRao and MDR in pain and agony and deeply worried about the welfare of his family, after his demise and in tears. MDR breathed last and attained Moksha, in the next few days.

What is being conveyed here ? That he too was forced to penury ? Or to cancer?
Let us stop this small talk ..
Privy comes with a responsibility .
Let us keep the spirit of the first post in mind.
Rukmini Devi did not owe anybody a living .As simple as that.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 11 Sep 2014, 19:27

I agree with Varsha - when I think about Smt. RDA, what I see and am awestruck by was her all-encompassing esthetic sense - not only did she play one of the instrumental roles in preserving bharatanATyam as an art-form and making it mainstream, but she was also probably instrumental in making the art-form a visual esthete's delight. What do I mean by that?

1) The stitched bharatanATam costume that she designed has revolutionized the appearance of dancers on stage - not only did they appear sleek and beautiful on stage, the stitched costumes allowed them to be more athletic on the stage probably because they longer had concerns of their outfit unraveling on stage - of course, I think that following Smt. RDA's arangETRam when she introduced these costumes, it was patronization by the Smts. Radha-Anandi duo, and their co-student, Smt. Kamala, who adopted the same type of costumes immediately afterwards that made these costumes 'take' - followed by the adoption of similar costumes by dancers in movies (like the Travancore sisters, Sai-Subbulakshmi etc.).
2) The beautiful and exquisitely designed, but light jewelry worn by dancers on stage was again something that she introduced, and has been adopted by everyone.
3) A clear vision of stage esthetics - including stage design, and stage decor. The ambalam in kalAkshEtra is testimonial to this vision.
4) A vision about costumes that lead to the creation of her own set of weavers, to create sarees to her own standards of visual beauty - (and the creation of the Kalakshetra line of sarees).
And many more that make me believe that there is nothing about the art-form or its presentation that she did not leave a stamp on.

And finally:
5) Establishment of a school and university that imparted knowledge about these artistic pursuits in a codified and uniform manner (a down-side of this inevitably is that all their graduates come out looking the same, and it is only later that the really good ones are able to bring individuality).

Her selfless generosity in sharing her vision, and imparting it without holding anything back to generations to come will overshadow any form of parsimony she may have practiced - the worst form of selfishness IMO is the practice of 'closely guarding' one's visions, refusing to share/teach completely, always holding something back, etc., and there are many that have been/are guilty of such 'parsimony'.

When I put all this in the pro- column, there is very little that can be added to the con- column that would belittle or besmirch her overall stature or reputation, IMO...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 11 Sep 2014, 20:16

For those who devoted their lives to the arts and human welfare, parsimony was part of their personality.

However deeply engrossed they were in bigger things, any little act of lavishness (in their view) was noticed and criticized! Why? Because their cause meant that every penny was usefully spent--nothing should be wasted...

Gandhiji writing on the back of envelopes, Rajaji living the spartan life, and one can name plenty of them.

Have seen even 'greed' in their eyes when extra land was donated for a noble cause. Those who gave everything of theirs were greedy, yes, greedy when it came to serving those at large.

Yes, parsimony, a 'good' quality even, though they were not as astute when it came to individual cases, I suppose...

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 12 Sep 2014, 13:55

Varsha

The topic is about reminiscences. Reminiscences does not exclude the discussion on 'parsimony'. Kal in her post/reply to RSachi, has agreed with his information. By discussing about one of Rukmini Amma's behavior and failure, Amma's achievements in the cause of Dance and Carnatic Music is not being undermined.
Please do not make statement without having the information on the predicament, suffering and agony of the affected. With direct knowledge and observation, I have shared the information, with empathy. SSRao, my father and Guru was disciple of 'Tiger' and 'Mysore Vasudevachar' and enjoyed relationship with other great maestros teachers at Kalakshetra. Fact of failure is undeniable. Teachers in Carnatic Music private institutions suffer and are denied their due recognition and remuneration, at par. Kalkshetra, under the Rukmini Amma's management and Teacher's college of Music, under the Music Academy management, are no exceptions. Public sharing of the information and rational debate, can lead to change, change for the better.

Arasi
You have referred to Mahatma Gandhiji. I want to refresh your memory, the predicament of his immediate family was similar to 'Tiger' and 'MDR'. His eldest Son stated that 'Gandhiji became Father of Nation, but failed as Father of his children and as Head of his family' and also G.D.Birla stated 'Gandhiji is simple, but to keep him simple, I spent lakhs of rupees'. Both statements are on record and history.
Every Leader will have both strengths and weakness, as humans.

munirao2001

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 13 Sep 2014, 03:30

True. Even mahAn-s had their failings, or at times were seen by others thus. After all, they were all human!

Yes, it's good to keep all this in mind when we discuss something about a personality. However, to be carried away with such details (however accurate) takes us away from the topic we are focused on. We seniors know it only too well. If our thought process gets interrupted, we come back with a 'what was I saying?'. This is somewhat similar to that when some detail in a discussion takes on its own persona and sidelines the topic.

Hope I make sense, if not, think of it as a geriatric point of view

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 13 Sep 2014, 11:44

I see it as the artist's greater commitment to art and not as apathy to the needs of artists. She was not letting the money she raised to be spent in a way that in her view would be a diversion. Gandhi sacrificed his family for the nation, just as Rajaji did too. I view them as great for that selflessness. I heard that one industrialist has renounced his position and all money and took to spirituality. An unimportant detail is that his son had stepped into his shoes. He was also presented as great. Views differ.

kittappa · Post by **kittappa** » 13 Sep 2014, 12:35

vasrsha wrote:

Rukmini Devi did not owe anybody a living .As simple as that.

What a joke! She did not owe anything to anyone, but Tiger, Vasudevachar, Sambasiva Iyer, and many others owed her their art, their sweat and toil, with which she built up her reputation. Even in the 1970s and 1980s MDR was shabbily treated by Rukmini Devi. I know this personally. One has to discuss her failings also while discussing her contributions.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 13 Sep 2014, 12:54

munirao2001 wrote:Varsha
Teachers in Carnatic Music private institutions suffer and are denied their due recognition and remuneration, at par. Kalkshetra, under the Rukmini Amma's management and Teacher's college of Music, under the Music Academy management, are no exceptions.
munirao2001

I appreciate your cause but think you are overstating the case. Worse, you are using the likes of Tiger etc. and quoting them out of context for propping up your case.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 13 Sep 2014, 15:23

Go Ahead Sirs.and Cheers

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 13 Sep 2014, 17:23

Her devotion, commitment, and organizing skill...

Creation of Kumarasambhavam Dance Drama 1947...

Read it at

http://www.natyam.ru/kumara.html

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 13 Sep 2014, 18:51

sureshvv
My posting was related to 'parsimony' aspect only, nothing else as you have surmised.

munirao2001

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 14 Sep 2014, 21:34

It is a well known fact that MDR was the leading faculty for carnatic music.Surprisingly the first few threads did not write any thing about MDR.It is a well known fact that his family was in dire streets and Kalakshetra could not care less for MDR.Infact the entire Chennai music fraternity has failed.
There is no festival in Chennai to remember this great musician.Every one expresses lip sympathy and one Mr. Krishnamurthy organises a day in his rememberance at Trivandrum during April.
It is another fact that his son Balaji Ramanathan was well educated and now settled in USA.

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 14 Sep 2014, 21:53

hnbhagavan...

I maintain a group in FB for him with 363 members which is growing popular among FB members..

You can reach it at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137283749618848/

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 14 Sep 2014, 23:14

munirao2001 wrote:sureshvv
My posting was related to 'parsimony' aspect only, nothing else as you have surmised.

My contention is that the Tiger quote that you provided earlier is not at all about parsimony. It is more akin to an aged parent's chronic complaint about the lack of attention from their children. Using it to prop up the allegation of parsimony is hugely unfair to both of them.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 14 Sep 2014, 23:57

I think the parsimony bit has been addressed, so let me talk of other things.
Rukmini Devi developed stage craft and theatrical presentation by absorbing many ideas from Kathakali theatre. The movement of dancers in coordinated formation and the entry and exit of artistes was done to great effect.

Her simple costumes and minimal make-up with corresponding subdued lighting created a traditional folk theatre effect and riveted the audience attention.

The new temple style auditorium built with generous help from the Travancore maharani had great acoustics and aesthetics.

Rukmini Devi did exhaustive research into the Sanskrit and Tamil epics to develop the story line and stage-play script. Sankara Menon was a great contributor in this regard.

The Sanskrit dialogues were not at all difficult to understand for reasonably informed audiences.

The element of devotion was paramount for Rukmini Devi. She constantly emphasized that dance dramas were to elevate the consciousness of the audience and not merely entertain.

The element of humour in episodes like Sundara Kanda was presented very well.

Perhaps the greatest factor for the success of her dance dramas was the exquisite music. In that respect Vasudevacharya really excelled himself in the Ramayana. I have witnessed those dance dramas presented by the great artistes like Janardanan, Krishnaveni, Balanna, Thomas, Venkatachalapathy, Uma Rao,...and the music of Seetharama Sharma, nattuvangam of..., mridangam of Krishnamurthy ...all made each presentation simply unforgettable.

The music and Sanskrit lyrics for Ramayana, hardly seemed esoteric. The ragas and talas were all handled brilliantly. I still remember a dance in Purnachandrika around the Guha episode. What a wonderful composition and choreography.

I read this story: at the premiere of Ramayana, Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu (sight-impaired) was very moved by the music and the dance drama as he experienced it. He enquired of the person seated next to himself as to who had created this masterpiece. The person who answered was Papanasam Sivan. He replied "VARU". Dwaram asked, what did he mean by VARU? Sivan replied, "VAsudevachar and RUkmini".

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 15 Sep 2014, 00:34

Please watch this video.. It is about Papanasam Sivan but you can hear and see many aspects of Rukmini Devi's approach and the Kalakshetra auditorium.

http://youtu.be/5iCs9P8G3zs

There is the dance of Krishnaveni as Mohini avatara.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 15 Sep 2014, 04:21

Form what I understand, bharatanATyam, unlike kucipuDi was a solo art form, with the kuravanjis being examples of group productions....just as Smt. RDA helped in the evolution of kucipuDi as a solo art form (her student, Ms. Yamini Krishnamurthy was the first female to learn kucipuDi and probably the first to present it as a solo art form as well), so did she, through the various dance dramas (as Sri Dhananjayan says, we should not use the phrase dance drama, but use the word nATyam which is story telling), help in establishing group productions in bharatanATyam.

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 15 Sep 2014, 08:07

WHY THE FORUM IGNORES THE SHABBY TREATMENT GIVEN TO SRI MD RAMANATHAN?ACCORDING TO REPORTS IN SRUTI,HIS FAMILY WAS IN BAD ECONOMIC POSITION AND THERE WAS A FUND RAISING EFFORT>
TILL TODAY I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER CHENNAI HAS ANY FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO SRI MDR.
KALAKSHETRA IS VERY MUCH RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS CONDITION.FORUM WANTS TO HEAP ONLY PRAISE WHERE IT IS NOT DUE.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 15 Sep 2014, 09:16

Sir,
My family visited him in his last days in 1984. He was very withered, in much pain from colon cancer, and passed on very soon after.
I have also contributed when I heard his family was in distress. I am SURE I am not alone.
Not everything is given by the Almighty to everyone. That's the only conclusion one can make.

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 15 Sep 2014, 10:09

After a long illness, MDR passed away aged sixty on 27 April 1984. His death was due to heart failure. He is survived by his wife and his adopted son (MDR's sister's son), Balaji, who was about 10 at the time of MDR's death.

A memorial fund was set up by a number of musicians and music lovers (including Sankara Menon, T. N. Krishnan, K. J. Yesudas and T. V. Gopalakrishnan) to assist his family after his death.

He was considered for the Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi award in the 1983-84 season but the politics within that institution did not grant him the honour....

The sad part of it was that some people suggested that he be granted the award posthumously. Arrogance!!

Above is what I have read in carnatic corner when his group was formed at FB...

"FORUM WANTS TO HEAP ONLY PRAISE WHERE IT IS NOT DUE" Are they do it for other deserving Artists?.

kal · Post by **kal** » 18 Sep 2014, 22:37

I've heard a lot from my (late) aunt and mother-in-law about the very difficult personal life conditions of several artists who were part of building the Kalakshetra brand, and how there was hardly any financial support in almost all cases. She has lived in the Society quarters for several years, and had lifelong bonds with several artists who used to slog n share their experiences. While enough attention n devotion was paid to the art per se, and building the institution, I only wish there was some kind of professional management for the welfare of the artists. After all, artists perpetuate art.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 18 Sep 2014, 23:17

kal wrote: While enough attention n devotion was paid to the art per se, and building the institution, I only wish there was some kind of professional management for the welfare of the artists. After all, artists perpetuate art.

Very beautifully said!

hnbhagavan wrote:KALAKSHETRA IS VERY MUCH RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS CONDITION.FORUM WANTS TO HEAP ONLY PRAISE WHERE IT IS NOT DUE.

I really wish this post (and that too in caps - shouting) had been made with better taste. Every one of the artistes that are talked about on this forum by us have both positives and negatives - they are all human beings, after all. In many cases, no mention of the negatives is made (from personal experience I can attest that these negatives can range from un-professional behavior of little to no material consequence, miserliness, disregard for other's property, to lasciviousness, to very inappropriate and amoral behavior that is very difficult to condone), because we are here to publicly celebrate the ways in which these extraordinarily talented men and women of vision have enriched our lives, and hopefully, learn from their mistakes in private. I do not think that any of the praise heaped (on anyone for that matter, not just Smt. RDA) is not due.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 19 Sep 2014, 20:55

I would like if members write avoiding writing stuff esp. about Rukminidevi that are PATENTLY WRONG......Also my friend DR.V.Radhakrishnan who was a disciple of MDR close to 20 years went to R & she managed to get a pension from Kalashetra despite lots of Red tape etc. Actually after initial difficulties the family was able to reach economic stability as a result of efforts of many.....Also MDR had cancer which might have resulted in heart attack if he indeed had one..I am not at liberty to write in this forum where many are INCOGNITO & appear to just write stuff on the basis of heresay. LET US RESPECT THE PERSON& HIS MUSIC. In any case let us celebrate & remember his unique genius & not DWELL & LOOSELY TALK ABOUT UNSUBSTANTIATED statements.....VKV :-ss

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 20 Sep 2014, 00:34

Exactly, VKV.

Human kind cannot afford to disregard the value of those who made art greater by living with it, just because of a few ugly details (which again are are part of its history).
Gossip, some of it even based on fact, takes away the beauty and truth of the art itself.

We don't need to close our eyes to such details, but have to move on to better things--as the effect of their dedication and work in their chosen form of art on us and on our culture.

We are mourning today because U.Srinivas, a treasure in music has been snatched away from us in his prime.We wish we had more of his music in the coming years. That's not to be. Sobering moments, indeed...

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 20 Sep 2014, 06:42

" might have resulted in heart attack IF HE INDEED HAD ONE"

Not heard so far that MDR did not have a heart....revelation!!

It was not heart attack..It was heart failure...plenty of difference between the two..

Anyway it makes no difference as he did not have a heart!

Which or which part of the of some of the postings above are gossip Arasi madam..Please be specific in your accusations.

That kalakshetra has not helped some of the people who had spent their life with it and helped building it is known to many...

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 20 Sep 2014, 09:15

Sri VKV meant ..if he had heart attack..

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 20 Sep 2014, 09:46

venkatakailasam wrote:" might have resulted in heart attack IF HE INDEED HAD ONE"

Not heard so far that MDR did not have a heart....revelation!!

It was not heart attack..It was heart failure...plenty of difference between the two..

Anyway it makes no difference as he did not have a heart!

Which or which part of the of some of the postings above are gossip Arasi madam..Please be specific in your accusations.

That kalakshetra has not helped some of the people who had spent their life with it and helped building it is known to many...

Dear Venkatakailasam,
I RESENT your flippant MISUNDERSTANDING of what I wrote. YOU are doing great service but I am surprised you are capable of twisting things to justify whatever point you might be trying to make.....VKV PL CONSIDER THIS MATTER CLOSED X( :-Q

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 20 Sep 2014, 09:46

venkatakailasam wrote:" might have resulted in heart attack IF HE INDEED HAD ONE"

Not heard so far that MDR did not have a heart....revelation!!

It was not heart attack..It was heart failure...plenty of difference between the two..

Anyway it makes no difference as he did not have a heart!

Which or which part of the of some of the postings above are gossip Arasi madam..Please be specific in your accusations.

That kalakshetra has not helped some of the people who had spent their life with it and helped building it is known to many...

Dear Venkatakailasam,
I RESENT your flippant MISUNDERSTANDING of what I wrote. YOU are doing great service but I am surprised you are capable of twisting things to justify whatever point you might be trying to make.....VKV PL CONSIDER THIS MATTER CLOSED X( :-Q

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 20 Sep 2014, 12:09

Ironically, what makes an artiste great is the sacrifice they put in to just practice their art. It compounds their mystique long after they are gone.

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 20 Sep 2014, 14:59

What do I get by twisting …Yes..Indeed I was upset on reading your post. What I felt on reading your post, I wrote.
When one reads that MDR was suffering financially, mentally and physically,
the immediate feeling one will get is as to why the organization where he had spent whole of his life for its growth has not taken care of him..There is nothing wrong if one gets such a feeling…
When other artists who had involved in fund collection, why Kalashetra could not do it..
If it had taken care, his financial sufferings would have been reduced…
There is nothing here that would suit me…

SrinathK · Post by **SrinathK** » 20 Sep 2014, 16:03

Also MDR had cancer which might have resulted in heart attack if he indeed had one

Just to sort out the misunderstanding, did you mean : "...might have resulted in heart attack, assuming he had indeed suffered one"?