Balachander to get lifetime achievement award

Veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balachander will be felicitated with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to cinema here Dec 1 by Raindropss, a youth-based social organisation.

"K. Balachander will be awarded the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to cinema over the last few decades. The award will be handed over to him in the presence of luminaries from Tamil film fraternity such as A.R. Rahman, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, and P. Manorama along with Chennai-based Indian cricketers R. Ashwin and K. Srikkanth," read a statement from Raindropss.

At the event, the social organisation will also launch an annual table top calendar 'Maatram Thedi - Be The Change 2014' on the occasion of World AIDS Day, which falls Dec 1.

The calendar will feature achievers across various walks of life with a strong social message in order to raise funds for the education of the children living with HIV.

"The rationale behind this project is that firstly, it will show the pictures of achievers whom the common people can take inspiration from, after all inspiration is caught and not taught; secondly, the proceeds goes towards a noble cause," the statement added.

Balachander will release the first copy of the calendar and the funds from its sales will be donated for the education of children living with HIV.