BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

BALI, SHRIMATI VYJAYANTIMALA :

Matric; (Nominated) I.N.C. d. of Shri M.D. Raman and Shrimati Vasundhara Devi; b. at Madras, August 13, 1933; ed. at (i) Presentation Convent, Madras and (ii) Good Shepherd Convent, Madras; m. Dr.C.L. Bali, March 10, 1968 (since deceased); 1 s. Artist, Choreographer and Social Worker; awarded Padmashri in 1968; crusader on the war path for eradicating social evils and championing the cause of the weak and struggling sections of society; first Indian Dancer to give a Bharatanatyam recital for the United Nations 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the Human Rights Day in 1969; has performed at the International Opera House in Sydney and at the Adelaide Festival, the Royal Opera Rallst Festival in Stockholm, the Holland Festival in Rotterdam, the Autumn Festival in Paris; Founder Trustee, Dr. Bali Pharma Foundation - a charitable trust, to serve the poor and downtrodden and to look after the welfare of women and children;Trustee, (i) Natyalaya Academy of Bharatanatyam and (ii) Dr.Bali Pharma Foundation; Life President, Natyalaya Academy of Classical Bharatanatyam and Music;Vice-President, Harmony India; Member, (i) Eighth and Ninth Lok Sabha, (ii) Committee on External Affairs,1995-97, (iii) Committee on Urban and Rural Development and (iv) Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Civil Aviation; nominated to the Rajya Sabha in August, 1993.

Clubs : Member, (i) India International Centre, (ii) Delhi Golf Club and (iii) Madras club.

Travels abroad : United States, Canada, West Indies, U.S.S.R., Middle East and almost all countries in the world.

Accomplishment in arts and science : Conferred Arasavai Natya Kalaingnar by Tamil Nadu Government for excellence in Natya; Kalaimani Award given by Tamil Nadu Government in 1979; Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1982; Conferment of the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Annamalai University, Chennai in 1995.

Publications : Nava Sandhi- a book on temple ritual dance Bharatanatyam L.P. Records.

Special interest : Promotion of Indian arts and culture, welfare of women and children.

Favourite pastime and recreation : Dance research and choreography, sports and travelling.

Permanent address : 80, C.P. Ramasamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai-18.