Citygritty — Pune

Another feather in Nilambari’s cap
Nilambari Patil studied electrical engineering and works as a computer programmer. She is also studying astrology and gemology under the guidance of her mother-in-law, Jyotisha Visharad Archana Patil. But this is not about her educational qualifications – it’s about her artistic achievements. The Kuchipudi dancer has trained under Nandini Patil, Kuchipudi Kala Kendra, Pune and Pandit Krishna Swamy from Hyderabad. “I have been interested in Indian classical art since childhood,” she says and has religiously pursued her passion. Patil presents her arangetram today at the Balgandharva Rangmandir. Performing with her will be Sanika Deshpande.

Artists for Kargil
Come Thursday and the Inn Galleria will be playing host to an art exhibition with a difference. That’s the `Art for Kargil’ venture, a first-time effort in the city where about 25 of the city’s best known artists will be displaying their works for an auction. The proceeds will be handed over to the Army Welfare Fund. Put together by local tabloid and Holiday Inn, the exhibition is yet another manifestation of the unprecedented emotional outpouring of the citizens for the valiant efforts of our troops. In this case, the artists of the city are donating at least two paintings each for a silent auction spread over four days from July 22 to 25. Organised by Artline, an art consciousness organisation headed by Anu Patwardhan and Ranjana Joshi the exhibition will see works of artists like Shakuntala Papate (who mooted the idea), Ranjana Joshi herself, Vallery Puri, Murli Lahoti, Ravi Paranjape and others.

But, the icing on the cake comes in the form of the presence of the renowned artist M F Husain who will be painting a canvas live at the Inn Galleria on July 21 at a wine and cheese do. The completed canvas would then be auctioned to the highest bidder with Seema Malhotra of Weikfield taking charge of the bidding.While Ruby Jhunjhunwala is contributing a mural and Ganpati statuettes, Mehak foundation will be adding their mite with some gorgeous floral bouquets scattered all over the place, also for sale.

According to the organisers there are plans to carry the effort to next door Mumbai too in the coming days with the funds collected in both the cities to be ear-marked for rehabilitation of the bereaved families of army personnel.