Date:27/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/27/stories/2006012714110200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Kutty a big hit at fundraiser

J. Malarvizhi

Surya hands over a citation to dancer honouring his tenacity and courage Surya, brand ambassador of TANKER, handed over a cheque for Rs. 10 lakh

DANCE FOR A CAUSE: J. Kutty performs with his troupe at the Tamilnad Kidney Research Foundation fundraiser at the Hotel Accord Metropolitan on Wednesday evening. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: Stars ruled at the TANKER Foundation 13th Annual Republic Eve Charity Nite in the Hotel Accord Metropolitan on Wednesday.

J. Kutty of `Dancer' fame danced up a storm of goodwill. Surya, brand ambassador of TANKER, handed over a cheque for Rs. 10 lakh. Revathy shed reserve and took the stage, afire with enthusiasm for the cause. Priya, director of Kanda Naal Mudhal, climbed the stage to take credit for having written the lines of the TV spots on kidney disease.

The Tamilnad Kidney Research Foundation (TANKER), a public charitable trust registered in 1993, performs around 400 dialysis sessions a month of which 125 are given free. Kidney failure is said to be the twelfth leading cause of death due to disease.

The chief guest for the evening was the US Consul General, David Hopper.

The evening was organised to fit around dance performances of Kutty and his troupe. A tribute to the nation, Robot Shankar's `dance of the muscles' and an energetic troupe performance to a popular number from a Surya starrer came first.

Surya inaugurated the screening of the spots for the audience and handed over a citation to Kutty, honouring his tenacity and courage.

TANKER can be visited at www.tankerfoundation.com or contacted at 28273407 or 28241635.