Rukmini Devi Arundale

Some pictures of Rukmini Devi Arundale:

Rukmini Devi Arundale

Without Rukmini Devi Arundale, I dont think Bharata Natyam would have reached this stage. She will be ever remembered for her contribution not only to arts in general but also to innumerable activities she undertook as a parliamentarian. It was she who introduced the Animal Welfare Act in Indian Parliament. Unfortunately this country refused to call the act as Rukmini Devi Act. Kalakshetra, the great institution she founded still stands like an elephant but without following her principles and ideas.






This photograph was taken when I was a student at Kalakshetra.

Ali Akbar Khan

Along with Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan also performed the world over propagating Indian classical music. Son of the doyen of Hindustani music Baba Allauddin Khan, Ali Akbar Khan's playing of the Sarod is mesmerising. Ali Akbar Khan's sister Annapurna Devi, a maestro in playing the surbhahar was the first wife of Ravi Shankar.

Photograph: Me with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Tapan

Yehudi Menuhin

When one talks about Violin, the first name comes to mind is of Lord Yehudi Menuhin. Great maestro Yehudi Menuhin was alo a great composer and conductor.

Amjad Ali Khan

A great maestro who popularised Sarod the world over. Ustadji inaugurated www.artindia.net when I launched this first portal on Indian classical arts in 1988.

Ravi Shankar

The man who took Indian classical music to the entire globe, RAVI SHANKAR popularly known as Panditji is a maestro of maestros. I got an opportunity to work closely with him when he invited me to help him establish Ravi Shankar Centre in New Delhi.