Date:08/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/08/stories/2006100813330200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Governor pays tribute to Kalakshetra Foundation

Staff Reporter

Welcomes new chairman of the foundation

Governor Barnala releases the booklet on former President R. Venkataraman. — Photo: M. Karunakaran

CHENNAI: Governor Surjit Singh Barnala on Saturday paid tribute to the Kalakshetra Foundation for "doing exemplary service in propagating art forms of the country."

In his address to welcome the new chairman of the foundation, S. Mohan, the Governor said Kalakshetra inculcated values among students, which in turn increases tolerance within society. "The contribution of Rukmini Devi is not restricted to the sphere of art alone. She had also set up a number of educational institutions. Rukmini Devi was an outstanding personality who had done exemplary work to enrich India's artistic and cultural heritage. She founded the Kalakshetra in 1936 as a cultural academy for the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, especially dance and music," he said.

Congratulating Dr. Mohan on his appointment as Chairman of the foundation, the Governor said that the former was known for his specialisation in constitutional law and for his oratorical skills.

Dr. Mohan said he was privileged to sit in the Chairman's post of the foundation after former President of India R. Venkatraman, who stepped down from the post and suggested his name to the Government. "I will cherish and treasure the post.Rukmini Devi gave a new grammar to Bharathanatyam."

Mr. Barnala released a booklet on R. Venkataraman. The former President of India's daughter, Padma Vekataraman, received the first copy. Kamalendra Kanwar, Editor, Tamil Nadu, The New Indian Express, and Chitra Visweshwaran, dancer and member of the Kalakshetra Board, felicitated Dr Mohan.