Back from Bali after a session with Protima!

The gathering was less than full, but it was more than made up forin emotion. There was a lot of it on display. Even from ghazal singer Rita Ganguly, who had met Protima Gauri for all of 10 minutes.

Surupa Sen, Protima Gauri8217;s disciple, performed Odissi taught by Gauri Maa8217;. Sen said little, letting her feet do the talking. Then Ramani let Protima do the talking, this time via the screen. She showed a nine-minute film, where Bedi danced, spoke about Nrityagram her adopted village near Bangalore, and then declared her desire to leave the world.

Among those who attended the evening, which Ramani insisted was going to be a happy one, were CNN8217;s South Asia correspondent Anita Pratap and US Ambassador Richard Celeste8217;s wife, Jacqueline Lundquist.

For Ramani, Bedi was a friend who grew with her. 8220;We started our two villages together,8221; Ramani said. 8220;I still remember Protima looking for money with her bottomless bowl. I found out about her death when I was in Bali. When I spoke to her, we assured each other that we would communicate with each otherfrequently.8221;