Badam's Platinum

His aging seems to be an advantage for people in need. The man himself seems to be happy about it, though. As philanthropist and businessman Badam Rama Swami, better known as the owner of Bhagyanagar Studio, Sangam Complex and Hotel Krishna, turns 75, there's a mini-festival going on for three days at three different venues, and by three different cultural organizations.

There must be something remarkable about a man for his birthday to be observed as some kind of a festival, and Badam Ramaswamy sure is. At an early age of 14, Ramaswamy became an important industrialist and businessman of Andhra, and also worked for the freedom struggle. He helps the poor and has patronized art and culture. The present festival is aimed at illustrating his work and his charitable activities.

The festival was inaugurated at Krishna Nilayam (in Banjara Hills) on the 4th by the actress 'Kala Bharathi Prajanati' Jamuna Ramana Rao. Veteran scholars, politicians and industrialists were among the ones who were present at this hi-profile event. M Venkateswara Rao and his group staged a Kuchipudi dance ballet inspired by the tradition of 'Pagati Veshaalu'. The play, with ornate props, settings and music, entertained the guests in the evening.

The second evening of the festival was celebrated at the Sri Thyagaraja Gana Sabha, and was attended by Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Vastusilpi Dr. B N Reddy and a host of other important citizens of the city. This evening, presented by Yuva Kala Vahini, saw Kuchipudi dancer Swathi Somnath's brief recital. Swathi chose to render Narayana Theertha's "Jaya Jaya Vaishnavi Durge", the invocation of Durga describing her vibrancy. Annamacharya's "Aluvelmanga Hariuyantaranga" illustrated the love in the union of the divine Vaishnava couple.

The recital concluded with 'Madhurashtakam', a touching and melodious composition that paints a beautiful picture of the blue-colored Krishna. The performance was accompanied by vocalists Garimella Gopala Krishna and Sweta, percussionist Sridhara Charya and Nattuvanar Sushma.