The attendance said a lot for this well known classical dancer who was once a hugely popular actress and has also been in politics.
That, even at this age, Vyjayanthimala attracts people to her dance, perhaps indicates the quality of her performance.
The recitals are few and far between nowadays but when they are held in the city and outside, they continue to bring in the rasikas.
Now, a generation which has not seen her perform as a young dancer or missed some of her intense dance productions, can do so through another medium.
Swathi Soft Solutions, a Chennai based company which is into software development as well as production of albums on India's heritage, released this week a set of two DVDs featuring exclusive dance items of Vyjayanthimala.
The first is titled 'Aradhana' in which Vyjayanthimala's pieces reflect the essence of legendary gurus like K. N. Dandayuthapani Pillai, Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai, Kittappa Pillai and Mylapore Gowri Ammal.
The second DVD is titled 'Sampradaya' and it features the pieces which are less known today which Vyjayanthimala has revived over the years by including them in her public performances.
For example, the 'Thirugnana Sambanda Murthy Kauthuvam'. This item is performed when the deity is taken out in procession during festivals.
Another piece is also special - 'Chalamu jese (tana varnam) by the Thanjavur Quartet is often heard in music concerts and customized for dance; a nritta oriented item it describes the lovelorn maidens appeal to Lord Brihadeswara of Thanjavur.
At the launch function held at The Music Academy, Vyjayanthimala said that 'bhakthi' was at the core of all her productions and recitals. "Even if the piece has shringara in it,"she added.
She said she kept three things in mind when it came to dance. "To be dignified, balanced and restrained."
The person who encouraged the albums idea was Chennai based writer-critic and arts promoter Sujatha Vijayaraghavan. "While the younger generation has taken to classical music in a big way because technology helps to educate, disseminate and market it far and wide, it hasn't been the case with classical dance,"says Sujatha.
Reason why Sujatha coaxed Swathi Soft Solutions to put Bali's dances on digital albums and helped them with the research and presentation.
"The old and traditional dance pieces that Bali has revived and presented deserve to be documented and shared,"says Sujatha.
All the pieces featured in the two albums were performed at different venues over a period of time in the past.
Each album costs Rs.650 and they are available at all stores which stock music and dance products.
You can shop for these albums online at www.kutcheribuzz.com/shopping
