CHENNAI: Former West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi took charge as the chairman of the board of directors of the Kalakshetra Foundation in a simple function on Friday. Speakers at the function, while heaping praise on Gandhi, expressed optimism over the Bharatanatyam school overcoming its challenges to rise to greater heights.“Kalakshetra has seen many happy days and success. But it has also been mired in challenges that some of us are aware of. We hope Gopal Krishna Gandhi taking over as Chairman of the Foundation would go a long way in ensuring Kalakshetra’s place as an internationally renowned place of art,” said Kalakshetra’s director Leela Samson.Speakers at the function recalled Gandhi’s long years of association with the Foundation. One speaker said that he was no stranger to Kalakshetra. And in its 75th year, there could be no worthier choice other than him as chairman. He also added that it was heartening to see a resurgence and revival of the great institution since 2005, when Leela Samson took over as its director. But the man of the hour floored his audience – teachers, students, administrators and others associated with Kalakshetra – with a simple poem in Tamil. “At this time of artificial trees,” he began, as the audience broke out into spontaneous applause. “Kalakshetra stands out as a fragrant sandalwood tree,” he said.He then addressed the challenges Kalakshetra faces today. “Rukmini Devi’s path cannot be called an easy one. But no path in India may be called easy. I too am one who trundles and tumbles along the path,” he finished, to a standing ovation from those on stage.
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