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| Radhika, Nrutha Dhara Trust, Bangalore |
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37 years ago, when she left the portals of Kalamandalam, she dreamt of being a presence on the Mohiniyattam stage. But life took Radhika along a different path, where wealth was the surrounding reality in her life at Bangalore. The lifestyle finally led her to the hospital.
It was then that Radhika remembered the old man with unsteady steps she met one day in her friend’s house. He had come for some alms. As her friend did not have money in her hand, she asked Radhika to make a contribution. When Radhika gave some money, the man bowed to her with tear-filled eyes.
It was only later that she came to know that the old man was once a famous artiste. After coming back from the hospital, she was informed about another senior Kalamandalam artiste, now at Kozhikode, who was finding it difficult to eke out a living. This was a woman who was once respected as elder sister by the entire juniors. Radhika contributed to improve her lot – though she does not wish to say how much or in what manner.
This was a lesson for her. She decided to do dedicate her life for the artists in distress. It was her understanding that if a large sum of money is given to such persons, it would not serve the purpose. So instead, she deposits Rs.100000 in the bank and let the beneficiaries get about Rs.500 per month as pension. A trust Nrutha Dhara was formed for the purpose. With the help of her foreign friends, she went to Germany in the year 2000 for a dance presentation and made Rs. 3 lakhs. With that she was able to provide assistance to 3 artists.
Since then, during the last 5 years, she has made many trips to foreign countries and earned enough to provide pension for 15 artists. While abroad, she travels by cheap mode, eats cheaper variety of food, avoids the temptation of even a fruit juice and stays with friends only to gather resources for more artists.
Though she works for them, she seldom meets the beneficiaries of her effort. It is just for a few moments at the time of handing over the pension papers that she comes into contact with them.
Courtesy: Unni K.Warriar (text), Vibi Job (photo), Sree, Malayala Manorama, January 30, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
