‘Everything in my life was a beautiful accident’

BENGALURU: “Everything in my life was a beautiful accident,” smiles Vyjayanthimala Bali, an artiste who reigned over the world of dance, cinema, sports and politics for decades.

The 83-year-old artiste was here to meet her only Bharathanatyam student from the city Subhashini Vasanth, founder of Vasantharathna Foundation for Arts. Subhashini will be performing on October 21 at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, to mark the foundation’s tenth anniversary and the veteran actress will also be performing natuvangam and will be wielding symbols and singing during Subhashini’s performance.

After quitting films in the late 60s, Vyjayanthimala kept herself busy with dance, travelling across the globe for numerous performances. “Dance to me is like prayer. It is like Yoga. The more I dance, I happier I am. When I say I am performing in the next few months, a lot of people express surprise and remind me of my age. Well, the only numbers I can remember for now are my dance numbers,” she smirks.
The erstwhile actress is also researching rare and forgotten ancient Indian temple dance forms and is trying to bring them into mainstream by incorporating it in her performances.

Remembering the golden days of her career in tinsel town and her sudden disappearance from the silverscreen, she says, “The industry gave me so much love, name, fame and respect. When I decided to quit, I was at the peak and felt that it was the best time to give up.”When asked if she regrets quitting cinema, she replies with a firm "No". “I am not tempted to act anymore. Dance was calling out to me, and I had to give in to that,” she says. “Even today, a lot of people approach me to be a part of their films, tele-serials and reality shows. But don't I feel like I belong there anymore,” she adds.

About Subhashini Vasanth and Vasantharathna Foundation for Arts

Established by Subhashini Vasanth in the memory of her late husband Col. Vasanth V (AC) who died fighting militants in Kashmir in 2007, Vasantharathna Foundation for Arts, an NGO, handholds army widows, especially families of jawans, and anchors them emotionally and financially. On October 21, Subhashini will be performing a classical dance - ‘Salute to Heroes’ a tribute to soldiers at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall. Vyjayanthimala, who is guiding Subhashini, called her ‘an efficient, hardworking and an excellent student.’ The event is open to all and the entry is free.