Recently, a book titled ‘Rukmini Devi Arundale: Arts Revivalist and Institution Builder’ has been published. About Rukmini Devi (1904 – 1986) Born in Madurai (Tamil Nadu). She was an Indian classical dancer and active member of Theosophical movement. Key contributions Known for catalysing the renaissance of Bharatnatyam. Earlier, Bharatanatyam was associated with temple dancers (Devadasis) and looked down upon by society. Founder of Kalakshetra Foundation in Madras (Chennai) to impart ... A handful of diehard dissenters bent on sabotaging the event also sneaked in to damnify the dancer—Rukmini Devi. Thus was Rukmini Devi’s entry into the world of Bharatanatyam. Born on a rare date, Feburary 29, 1904, she was the sixth child of Sanskrit scholar and retired government engineer Nilakanta Sastry. Despite criticism and controversy, Rukmini Devi Arundale’s legacy endures as a visionary who transformed Bharatnatyam into a holistic art form, blending tradition with innovation, spirituality with aesthetics, and individual expression with group dynamics. Her enduring impact on Bharatnatyam and the broader world of dance cannot be overstated. The courage displayed by Rukmini Devi Arundale (February 29, 1904 – February 24, 1986) in turning down the proposal of becoming the first woman President of India in 1977 is well-known. What’s ...
