Leafing through the pages of Kala Niketan Balu’s ‘Ninaivu Alaigal’ is a veritable who’s who in the world of arts. One of the pioneers in the sabha circuit, he managed to bring every musician, dancer, dramatist and actor to his sabha. With almost all the matinee idols starting their journey from the stage, we find Balu in the company of Sivaji Ganesan, M.R. Radha, Padmini-Ragini, K. Balachander, Sridhar and so on. A separate chapter describes the sterling qualities of R.S. Manohar, who redefined historical and mythological drama.
What is more, political bigwigs, including Chief Ministers presided over events and were chief guests. A stubborn Rajaji relents after Balu requests him to visit his sabha. The stalwart not only enjoys ‘Veera Pandiya Kattabomman’ and TKS’s Brothers’s ‘Sivakamiyin Sabatham’ but commends the performances. Anna is so approachable, his position as Chief Minister not a deterrent.
It is fascinating to read accounts of performances of young aspirants, who went on to scale great heights. From Jayalalitha and Vyjayantimala Bali to Alarmel Valli and Baby Gayatri, their career included performances for the sabha. Concerts of K.B. Sundarambal and T.R. Mahalingam drew houseful audience.
A maverick Mali obliges with a mesmerising flute recital, thanks to the deft handling of Balu, who also organised spiritual discourses and Harikatha by exponents such as Kripananda Warrier, T.K.S. Balakrishna Sastrigal and Anantharama Diskhitar and Embar Vijayaraghavachariar.
It is interesting to rewind to the salad days of Sivaji Ganesan, who seems to have been a close pal of the author, Cho, again a bosom friend, Nagesh and so on.
The earthy narration and the album of vintage photographs make this book riveting. Besides, by recording his experiences as a Sabha secretary, Kalaniketan Balu has preserved the flavour of an important period in the history of Tamil Nadu, in all aspects - political and cultural. A period that he describes rightly as the golden period, when a kind of innocence seems to have prevailed and art was pursued for art’s sake.
For copies contact Vasantha Press (24742227 and 9094875747). The author can be reached at 9444875200.
