A homage to the presiding deity of Shanmukhananda in the form of a Sangeetanjali was also performed. Several dignitaries like Dr R Chidambaram of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, former Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Baburao Jagtap, and industrialist Sadanand Shetty were present for the grihapravesham.

The hall, which finally reopened after extensive renovation after eight long years, later held its first programme; a celebration of Kerala Foundation Day, organised by the People's Art Theatre.

The Governor of Maharashtra, Dr P C Alexander, played chief guest for the function. A special invitee, the reputed South Indian playback singer Chitra alsoperformed.

``I have come here for the first time in my life from Borivli to listen to Chitra. I have been following news reports of the restoration of the hall, and have been looking forward to experiencing its milieu,'' said Santosh Nair, a member of the audience. Hasan, an employee of Akbar Travels, added that he did not know much about the disastrous fire that had gutted portions of the hall eight years ago. He had come to listen to Chitra sing.

Several luminaries in the fields of sports, literature and Malayalam cinema were also felicitated by the Governor, including Balachandra Menon, Jayaraj, Suresh Gopi, Biju Menon, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri, Manju Warrier, K Radhakrishnan Lal and E Rajendran (actor).