Rukmini Devi Arundale

Born: February 29, 1904 Madurai India

Died: February 24, 1986 (aged 81) Chennai India

Indian classical dancer and follower of

theosophy, best known for catalyzing
the renaissance of the bharata natyam
dance form and founding the
Kalakshetra Foundation in Madras
(now Chennai)

Arundale took Pavlova’s advice to heart and subsequently

embarked on a campaign to study and promote bharata
natyam, a type of South Indian classical dance that was
traditionally performed in Hindu temples;

Arundale formally trained under Pandanallur Meenakshi

Sundaram Pillai, a respected nattuvanar (male bharata
natyam director), and gave her first public performance, at
the Theosophical Society, in 1935.

She worked to purge bharata natyam of its shringara

(erotic) element, investing it instead with an aura of bhakti
(devotion). She also introduced aesthetically designed
costumes, jewelry, and stage scenarios.

Kalakshetra’s institutionalization of the dance form also

helped ensure its transmission to future generations. In
recognition of her services to Indian culture, Arundale
received the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian
honours, in 1956. She also received the Sangeet Natak
Akademi (India’s national academy of music, arts, and
dance) Award in 1957, and in 1993 the Indian parliament
declared her foundation an institution of national
importance.