The title of a comment article by writer T.J.S. George in 'The Indian Express' newspaper in India. George says, "Rukmini Devi eliminated every trace of shringara from the dance and replaced it with bhakthi...her real achievement was that she Brahminised dance and elevated it to respectability...She was an integral part of the Madras establishment. So, her memory is celebrated...". Of Balasaraswathi, he writes, "She only had the art, not the status."

The KutcheriBuzz Discussion Forum theme now focuses on these two artistes. Rukmini Devi's birth centenary is being celebrated this year, with festivals and events, in Chennai, across India and abroad.

Is a comparison between two legendary artistes - Rukmini Devi and Bala, required at this time? How special were the two in their own ways? And, has Bala really been forgotten? And is it right to say that Rukmini is remembered because she moved with important people even as she enriched dance and the growing parampara that has come after her? And if Bala has indeed been forgotten, what are the reasons?

Prize winning entry Who can doubt the fact that Bala and Rukmini were torchbearers and great exponents of Bharatanatyam? Bala famous for her bhava soaked dance and musical powers and Rukmini for her pristine purity and eye for aesthetics. Today what makes the world celebrate the centenary year of Rukmini Devi Arundale? Both being consummate artistes what makes one so special. Was it STATUS? No. It was her vision of art. Her grandiose plan for creating the perfect ambience for art to flourish- to get the best stalwarts in the field of dance and music to create something unique - finally evolving a system to impart meticulous training to hordes of interested aspirants for nominal fee. In a nutshell this was Kalakshetra. Soon it attracted national and international status as a premier institution to learn dance and music in fact to imbibe the Indian way of life. Today it has produced so many artistes spread all over India and abroad who are keeping the Kalakshetra tradition flying high. Yes, Rukmini was fortunate to have been born in an aristocratic family. She sent shock waves by marrying Arundale and establishing an erotic alliance that commanded curiosity and awe. She was blessed with a graceful and charming personality. Lady luck was on her side. Using all the resources she dared to dream and turned the dream into reality. We are remembered for not what we have done ourselves but what we have done ourselves but what we have done which has touched the lives of others - that will remain immortal in the world. Meenakshi Chitharanjan Chennai.

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Both Bala and Rukmini belonged to different sections of thought but to same field - dance. i don't know where in Art the question of status has come about. Even today, bala's abinaya in 'krishna nee...' has not been matched by anyone, even though numerous artistes have attempted in doing so. Bala embraced dance not only as a medium of profession but lived all through her life to show where art can take you. If Rukmini has brought dance to the Brahmin community then Bala has given the very definition of dance to the masses. Just because Rukmini's birth centenary is going on, it certainly does not mean that we have forgotten Bala. Bala Celebration of Rukmini Devi's Birth Centenary does NOT mean that Balasaraswathi is forgotten! To say that the latter had the'art & not the status' is unjust and unfair. Even now everyone who is someone in 'Dance' want to achieve Bala's 'Grace of Abhinaya'. Both are admired and respected by the artistes as well as the rasikas equally. Comparisons should not become vicious and create needless controversy! Rajeswari Srinivasan Chennai Both the artists Bala and Rukmini Devi are remembered for their distictive capabilities. It is futile to compare them. How can Bala be forgotten (who excelled in abhinaya and who could sing very well) if Rukmini Devi is remembered through birth centenary celebrations. Vasumathi Etobicoke, Ontario Balasaraswati is a legend who lives eternally as dance. Every artiste tries to attain the heights of perfection that she had achieved. Rukmini Devi is one of the prominent personalities who strived to bring Bharatanatyam to the masses. So a comparison between the two personalities is not apt. Hema Hyderabad Art is devoid of status. Hence why the question of status between two great ambassadors of art?. Is it posssible to say that Kalyani has more status than Sankarabharanam? Arts journalism should analyse the art and not irreverently the personality that creates the art. Such meaningless comparisons only generate divisive perception of the very art. Hari Subramanian The two artistes are great in their own ways. Bala was a genius in abhinaya and to this day she is an idol for any dancer who wants to improve abhinaya. Rukmani Devi revolutionised the concept of dance. The art which was restricted to the temples reached the common folk and the elite Brahmin community. she gave the art the dignity it deserved. Bala can never be forgotten till the art is alive and the art will be alive because of the royal status it has got due to Rukmani Devi. Ranjani Alwarpet,Chennai.