Page 34 - Ganesh Arunasalam

I met Aruna in the eighties when he moved to Birmingham with his family. However, I had heard of him many years ago from my elder brother through their Federal Party connections.
Aruna was a popular man and known for his honesty and straight-talking, both personally and professionally. He had an excellent sense of humour, patience and tolerance. As a lawyer he had an analytical and logical mind.
Being a Founder Trustee and Treasurer of the Balaji Temple in Birmingham, I was well aware of the financial and professional contribution Aruna had made to the temple. I remember vividly the offer of his professional services pro bono, and the use of his office and staff, completely free of charge. This was a breath of fresh air to us all, when we were struggling to save every penny to build the temple.
Aruna was also a great lover of Tamil classical music and bharatanatyam, and will be remembered for promoting cultural related activities and encouraging younger members to participate. He himself played miruthangam passionately. I remember decades ago, he accompanied the late Kirupanantha Variar, an Indian spiritual teacher and musician, to one of his discourses at Gita Mandir in Birmingham. Although he was very nervous to begin with, he performed so well that Variar commented on his high standard of playing and congratulated him. That made Aruna’s day.
Aruna will be sadly missed by all of us who have been closely associated with him, and especially the temple community. I will cherish his
memory forever.
Dr N. Somasundararajah (Soma)
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