Here was an event where the chief guest was the star of the show! Yes, and the man was B. K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore.
He was presiding over the inaugural function of the music and dance fest at Brahma Gana Sabha on December 3. Inaugural speeches may usually be boring, but this one wasn't really.
"Indifference of intellectuals and ignorance of the masses are the cause for the degrading changes in society..." said Vanavarayar, who wanted the 88 odd sabhas in Chennai to address a social cause.
Art and culture are the solution for the problems of humanity, he said and added "Art is not just for entertainment, we need to bring in enlightenment."
Citing examples of Swami Vivekananda and Subramanya Bharathi, he pointed out that visionaries have always won. Individuals with their inner strength can make a difference, said Vanavarayar who wanted artistes and rasikas to look inwards.
The Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium (M.C.T.M School campus) on Luz Church Road was full with the sabha's regulars.
Titles were conferred on senior Carnatic vocalist Thiruvengadu Jayaraman, Delhi based Odissi dancer and Chairperson of S.N.A, Sonal Mansingh and dramatist K.S.Nagarajan. The fest will be on at this sabha till January 2, 2005.
Contact: Brahma Gana Sabha, Ph: 91-044- 24942767.
