Attendance launched in Bangalore 
 
June 4, 2008 

After the national launch in Delhi on April 4 where Dr Karan Singh released and H.E Lalit Mansingh recd the first copy, the tenth anniversary celebrations of India's only yearbook on dance - attendance - took place at the Natya Institute for Kathak and Choreography, Bangalore, on Saturday 31st May. Many among dance lovers and connoisseurs were present to support this unique annual compilation that puts Bangalore on the world map. Reputed dance-historian, author and editor-publisher of attendance, Ashish Khokar is based in Bangalore.

Standing (left-right) Principal of Natya Institute; dancer Satya Raju; editor-historian-critic-publisher Ashish Khokar; thinker Chiranjiv Singh; patron Vimala Rangachar; Bharatanatyam guru M K Saroja; maestro Dr. L.Subramaniam; singer Kavita Krishnamurthy; Kathak guru Maya Rao, co-publisher Elisabeth Hall-Khokar, dancer-choreographer Madhu Nataraj and art lover Parveen Singh.
Sitting (left-right): dancer Murali Mohan, Nandini Mehta, Prathama with staff and students of Natya Institute including leading male dancers Surajit and Janardhan Urs.

Now in its tenth year of publication, attendance is setting standards in dance coverage and writing and all present said so. Vimala Rangachar, art patron, said the vision and mission of pioneering dance historian and collector late Prof. Mohan Khokar stands fulfilled; Chiranjiv Singh, artocrat and thinker commented that attendance has discovered new dancers and young writers. Dr L Subramaniam complimented co-publisher Elisabeth Hall-Khokar for sustained support to dance and he with eminent singer-wife Kavitha Krishnamurthy received the first copy of Guru M K Saroja biopic, also released on the same occasion and spoke of the immense contribution of the Khokar family to dance. 

Guru Maya Rao recounted Guru Saroja from childhood days. All in all, young and old dancers and musicians met and a good time was had by all, despite the fact that Lord Indra came uninvited and lashed the city with rains and thunder! A film on Guru Saroja's art was also shown by SPOTLIGHT's Kalai team. Madhu Nataraj and Aishwarya Nityanand, the two dancers in the list of ten stars and generation next (which the tenth anniversary issue of attendance focuses on) were commended. The Natya Institute also remembered its founder-member, the great musician Anil Biswas on the occasion.