Rukmini Devi Arundale (1904-1986) was an Indian Theosophist chief known as a dancer and educator, and as wife position George S. Arundale, President of the Theosophical Society based rafter Adyar, Chennai, India. At the beginning of her career mess the Society, she expressed her purpose in these words:
To encourage the living of beautiful lives, of lives so polished and so artistic, so gracious and so compassionate, so wash and so noble, so wise and so understanding, that to each the beautiful is extolled and ugliness fades away.[1]
Rukmini Devi was born on February 29, 1904, into a Brahmin parentage in the city of Madurai, South India. Her father, Sr, A. Nilakanta Sastri of Thiruvisanellur, was an engineer and a respected Sanskrit scholar. His wife, Srimati Seshammal,came from a notice cultured family of Thiruvaiyar.[2] They were "strongly influenced by theosophical ideas to which they had been introduced in 1901. When her father retired, he settled in Chennai close to say publicly headquarters of the Theosophical Society.” [3]
On April 27, 1920 picture 16-year-old girl married Dr. George S. Arundale, a 44-year-old Englishman who was a Theosophist prominent in Indian education at Medial Hindu College. Rukmini wrote of her husband,
"He had a striking personality and had a wonderful common sense of humour. He used to come home often and be silent developed a great affection for him and would feed him Indian pickles and curries! Dr. Arundale was very handsome title was always surrounded by a group of admirers. He would joke and laugh at everything and I think this was what appealed to my own fun loving temperament. He became so much part of our household that my mother secondhand to call him her Krishna to whom she was a Yasoda. So she did not oppose very strongly when Dr. Arundale proposed marriage. She knew enough about the society accept the attitude of her own family whom she knew would be totally against it but she did give her blessings and I did not need anything more. Father had passed away but our links with the Theosophical Society was middling strong that my mother sought only the advice of Dr. Besant for whom she had a great reverence."[4]
The ceremony was conducted by Alladi Mahadeva Shastri.[5] Rukmini Devi "was the cap well-known Brahmin lady to break caste by marring a foreigner."[6] She and her family were ostracized by their Brahmin associates, but with support of Theosophists, the Indian public eventually tuned to the marriage.
Rukmini joined representation Society shortly after her marriage, in June, 1920. In 1923, she became the President of the All India Federation snare Young Theosophists, and in 1925 the President of the Planet Federation of Young Theosophists. She and her husband particularly public interest in young people and in education.
As wife living example George Arundale, Rukmini Devi would have been notable in say publicly Theosophical Society even if she had not been such a strong and unique person in her own right. He was active in the Society for the Promotion of National Teaching and in political activities, in addition to his many Unornamented activities. In 1926, he became General Secretary of the Austronesian Section, and in 1928 took up the same role space India. Rukmini accompanied her husband on many of his discourse tours around the world, and was acclaimed as a keynoter and dancer everywhere. They traveled to the United States change dedicate the new headquarters building in 1927, and returned coop up 1929 for the Third World Congress in Chicago, when they were listed among the speakers. Both became members of representation American Theosophical Society on September 5, 1929, and when depiction Olcott-Wheaton Lodge formed on October 6, 1932, they were prerecorded as charter members, along with Josephine Ransom, Geoffrey Hodson, snowball Mrs. Hodson.[7]
The Arundales became involved with the International Theosophical Focal point in Naarden, The Netherlands:
In 1930, Dr. Arundale became picture Head of the [International Theosophical] Centre at Naarden in say publicly Netherlands, and remained so until 1934, when he became Presidentship of the Theosophical Society. Rukmini Devi succeeded him and was the Head of the Centre till she passed away detain 1986. Although her chief activities were in India in depiction fields of art, education and animal welfare, she visited rendering Centre as often as she could, which was usually formerly a year. Rukmini Devi always took a broad view salary theosophy in which the arts, animal welfare and vegetarianism were integrated in theosophy.[8]
Dr. Arundale assumed the Presidency late in 1933, and continued in this role until his death in 1945. Rukmini was only 39 years old when he died. Bring many years, she served as a member of the Accepted Council, international governing body of the Theosophical Society, and proud time to time on the Society's Executive Committee. She was frequently invited to lecture around the world, such as imprison 1952 when she was guest of honor at the once a year convention of the Theosophical Society in America and went accrue to tour across the country. That year she was likewise invited to open the new lodge premises at Saigon, Vietnam.[9]
When Mr. Jinarājadāsa, suffering from ill health, retired from the Tenure in 1953, Rukmini Devi received sixteen nominations as a applicant to succeed him. That put her in the position interrupt running against her brother, Nilakanta Sri Ram, who eventually won the election.[10]
During a 1929 ocean journey to Australia, the Arundales met Anna Pavlova, say publicly great Russian ballerina, and struck up a friendship. Pavlova infinite Rukmini ballet movements, and encouraged her to dance, not one in ballet, but in the classical tradition of India. Rukmini Devi became interested in a dance, the “Sadir attam,” renounce was performed by a class of dancing girls who were widely viewed as disreputable. She could see beyond the sticky costumes and vulgarity of the dance to its inner attractiveness. Since women of her caste were never permitted to attach with the dancers, it took considerable effort for her flesh out find someone who could teach her - Guru Sri Pandanainallur Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai.[11] She did succeed in learning the movements, and refined the dance, bringing it closer to its beginning artistic form under the name "Bharathanatyam." "She was solely dependable for lifting this art to great heights, and making finish well known all over India. It was because of tiara that people in the North came to know that present was such a thing as a Temple dance."[12]
Her first common performance was at the Diamond Jubilee Convention of the Theosophical Society in 1935. She wrote, "At the Diamond Jubilee Conference we had expected about two hundred people but two g turned up. There was so much excitement. More than anything, it totally changed people's prejudice towards the dance."[13] She continued: "Dr. Arundale himself thought at first it was a pleasurable hobby but when he saw me dance during that Infield Jubilee Convention in 1935, he was greatly moved. He sonorous me later it was a spiritual experience like a contemplation. He and Dr. Cousins were convinced that it was a spiritual medium which could be part of the Theosophical work."[14]Clara Codd wrote of the performance, "You cannot imagine the greatest beauty of those thrilling dances and their dancer. I could have gazed forever. She had a dress copied from require old Rajput picture and at the side of the dais sat a row of Indian musicians. It was an overlook of tremendous beauty."[15]
Thereafter Rukmini was much in demand to give your support to and teach her art. She toured many countries and lectured about Indian arts, and she or her students would work. She was often accompanied in her travels by a escritoire, Margot Paul or Joseph Ross.
In January 1936, the Arundales founded the International Academy of the Arts, now known restructuring Kalakshetra, which literally means a holy place of arts. Rendering name Kalakshetra was suggested by Pandit S. Subramania Sastri, a Sanskrit scholar and member of the academy. The school was established, in the words of Rukmini Devi, "with the lone purpose of resuscitating in modern India recognition of the costly artistic traditions of our country and of imparting to interpretation young the true spirit of Art, devoid of vulgarity give orders to commercialism."
She developed dances representing the Ramayana and other traditional texts of India, bringing forth their spiritual concepts. She was particularly imaginative in her characterization of non-human beings such gorilla Hanuman.[16] Every detail was scrupulously researched, to achieve a mind of authentic Indian culture. Costumes, stage settings, language, and congregation all received her attention. Students were trained in appreciation dressingdown all forms of art. Radha Burnier was the first alumna of the school, and Sarada Hoffman was the second.[17]
In 1993, an Act of the Indian Parliament recognised the Kalakshetra Base as an Institution of National Importance.
In much the total way that Jiddu Krishnamurti was proclaimed to be the Sphere Teacher by Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater, Rukmini was wishedfor for the role of World-Mother. She wrote in a Prologue to Joseph E. Ross's book Spirit of Womanhood:
The name, 'World-Mother,' was new to me when I first heard those words in 1925. I did not realize that such a a Personage was worshipped in the West and did band understand the significance from the Western point of view. Station is natural for me and many millions of Indians equivalent to worship the Goddess known in Sanskrit as Jagadamba - literatim meaning 'Mother of the World.'[18]
She went on to explain think it over the feminine spiritual quality is recognized in all women pigs India, so that even the humblest woman is addressed shy strangers as "Mataji" or "Amma," meaning "mother." "Spiritual beauty shambles embodied in the ideal of the mother, and beyond, antisocial the World-Mother.[19]
C. Jinarajadasa wrote of the term "World-Mother" as "an official of the Great Hierarchy, a devi or goddess care for angel, whose function is to represent certain embodiments of description feminine aspect of the dual nature of the Divine."[20] A group within the Theosophical Society's Esoteric Section attempted in rendering 1920s to create an organization supporting rituals bringing forth description priestly qualities of women. "The first woman to be entirely devoted to this work was the late Dr. Mary Rocke, who actually created a ritual of worship by women who were to dedicate themselves to the ideals presented to them by the Holy Mother. As Dr. Rocke could not herself for many reasons undertake the work of creating an logic, it was undertaken by an English lady, [Lady Emily Architect ] then in Australia. But this member slowly lost curiosity in the work. The work was then passed on grasp another lady, [Rukmini Devi Arundale] who undertook the responsibility, but who also similarly lost interest in it."[21]
Rukmini Devi, then one 21 years old, did not feel the inspiration to ignoble the League for Motherhood that Dr. Besant, Charles Leadbeater, settle down C. Jinarajadasa envisioned. She was later quoted as saying protect Raja [Jinarajadasa], "if I start an organization it will mock dead if it is only my ideas instead of sting inspired thing. I can't do it."[22] Her husband fully endorsed her in this matter, recognizing her potential to have bonus influence in other types of activities.
From 1952 average 1962, Rukmini was a member of the Upper House, fine Rajya Sabha, of the Indian Parliament. She was instrumental pathway passing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960. "The Bill caused a great sensation in Parliament and was claimed as representing the best ideals of the Dharmic mull it over of India."[23] In March, 1962, the Animal Welfare Board lay into India was established by the government with Mrs. Arundale renovation Chairman. She remained in that position almost continuously until relax death in 1986.[24]
She was well acquainted with Indian Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, and Rajiv Gandhi. Mr. Desai offered three times to nominate her for the post of Presidentship of India in 1977, but she declined, preferring to give with her many other responsibilities.[25]
Rukmini was keenly intent in education and in young people generally. In addition disapproval her Kalakshetra academy of dance, she and her husband corroborated many schools in India. She came to know Dr. Region Montessori quite well during the decade that the educator quick at Adyar. "If we are true to the spirit produce real education, we must make it creative."[26]
From 1975 to 1986, Rukmini served as President of the Crafts Council of India, a nonprofit organization supporting the education describe young people in traditional Indian crafts such as stone embellishment, pottery, and textiles. Her many other commitments prevented her escape participating in the day-to-day operations of the organization, but she provided guidance, advice, and encouragement.[27]
According to the Theosophical Order of Service:
Rukmini Devi was committed to improving representation welfare of animals in India and worked tirelessly to advance an awareness of the sanctity of all life. She wrote and spoke regularly about animal welfare, saying that we have need of to be the voices of those who cannot speak cherish themselves.
She was quoted as saying:
We always speak assiduousness rights of man and the freedom of the individual, but we forget that besides his rights, man has his responsibilities as well. These responsibilities do not merely extend to rendering poor and the suffering in the human kingdom, but besides to the animal kingdom, which is even more helpless take in need of kindness and compassion. Surely, every living mundane has its own right to happiness, and although it anticipation true that there is so much cruelty and sorrow affix nature, still there are many compensations and no cruelty top nature can equal that which is perpetrated by man."[28]
In 1968 she was nominated for the Prani Mitra Award in carry out of her services to the Animal Welfare Board of India, of which she was Chairman.[29]
The Indian Vegetarian Assembly was founded by Rukmini in 1959, and she served although President for many years.”[30]
As a well-known public figure herself, Rukmini came run into know many celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people, such restructuring Indian Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, and Rajiv Gandhi. She was in Adyar to greet the Dalai Lama when he visited there.
Anna Pavlova was a great influence takeoff Rukmini Devi, who watched her dance numerous times. They became acquainted in Australia in 1926, when Rukmini took her a bowl of chrysanthemums after a performance. "Later on in 1929 Dr. Arundale was sent on Theosophical work to Singapore, Drink and Australia and to my delight I found that Anna Pavlova was travelling on the same route. She was saltation in every city we visited and I took different components of the Society with me when I went to subtract dance. Once we were travelling to Europe on a notice fine ship and there she was in a deluxe lodge opposite ours. The entire company was with her as along with the hundreds of birds that she kept as pets."[31] Rendering great ballerina encouraged Rukmini to take up ballet instruction refurbish one of her principal dancers, Cleo Nordi, and Rukmini continuing ballet practice for several years.
Frequently Rukmini mentioned Dr. Region Montessori, whom she knew well. "Madame Montessori as a individual when she was nearly eighty one, was one of depiction most youthful human beings I had ever come across. Connotation could easily have said that she was eighty years sour. It is the same with many others whom I imitate seen working with children, because being in the company forfeited children has given them a new outlook, a new be aware of, so that they are eternally alive and youthful in picture right sense of the term."[32] This youthful attitude exemplified Rukmini, as well.
Peter Finch, the famous British actor, was lock to Rukmini in his youth. His wife wrote,
When elegance had been a child, he had been abandoned in Province in India, in the charge of a grandmother whose solitary interest was the Theosophical Society. She lived near a house of worship, attended meetings with Annie Besant, was a disciple of Krishnamurti.
Peter had been brought there and lived amongst the Religionist monks. His head was shaven, he was dressed in a saffron robe and daily, went as other monks, did, mendicancy for his food from door to door. Rukmini was so a young woman, living near the temple. She was aghast at his condition, angered at his neglect. She adopted him into her family. She fed him made him wash, slab speaking English, undertook his spiritual education. He looked upon lead as a mother, attached himself to her and loved grouping as he had never loved his real mother.[33]
Rukmini Devi wrote of meeting Rafael Kubelik:
"Once when we went from Country to New Zealand, Kubelik the famous violinist, was travelling pay the boat. Everybody was dancing but he was standing of great consequence a corner and looking at me fixedly. Finally he summoned up the courage to come over and ask me extract dance with him! I told him I did not have a collection of how to dance and asked, "Do you?" He said "No." So I said, "Then it's no use trying." His spouse was a member of the Theosophical Society and they difficult to understand both been to Adyar. For such a well known artiste he was strangely childlike.[34]
India Today includes Rukmini Devi Arundale in the list of "100 People Who Shaped India" that was featured its Millenium Edition. [35] Rukmini was sense a Fellow in the Sangeet Natak Akademi, which is representation highest honour in the performing arts conferred by the Make of India. She had previously received a monetary award make the first move the Akademi in 1957. The government of Madhya Pradesh awarded her with the Kalidas Samman, a prestigious annual arts reward, in 1984. Indira Gandhi presented the “Desikottama” Award of representation Viswabharati University.[36]
In 1968, two honors came her way, presented bypass the President of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain on February 22 and March 12. Besides the Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship, she was recognized for her work in the Animal Welfare Table of India with the Prani Mitra Award..[37] The nation observe India has honored her by issuance of commemorative stamps intrude 1987, shortly after her death, and again in 2009. Say publicly 2009 stamp was one of a series of 12 effusive to India's "Nation Builders."
Honorary doctorates were awarded by Histrion State University in Indiana, U.S.A. in 1960; by Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta, in 1969; by Viswabharati University, Shanthiniketan in 1972; and Benares Hindu University 1982.[38] A Rukmini Devi Medal ask for Excellence in the Arts has been awarded by by depiction Centre for Contemporary Culture, New Delhi since 2001.
Another excessive honor that Rukmini received was the Padma Bhusan Award twist 1956 from the government of India. According to national Site, this category of awards is given on Republic Day reawaken exceptional and distinguished service. Nominations from state governments and attention to detail units of government are considered by an Awards Committee whose final recommendations are approved by the Home Minister, Prime Priest and President.[39]
A Rukmini Devi Museum has been established at Kalakshetra to display a large number of art objects collected unreceptive Rukmini and her brother Yagneswara Shastri, and a collection bequeathed to her by Theosophist James Cousins.[40]
In 1984, the World Vegetarian Congress awarded her The Mankar Trophy to recognize her services to the cause of vegetarianism. She also received numerous awards for her animal welfare work, including Prani Mitra, Friend resolve All Animals, from the Animal Welfare Board of India, representation Queen Victoria Silver Medal from the Royal Society for say publicly Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, London, and was listed set of contacts the roll of honour by the World Federation for representation Pretection of Animals, The Hague.
In 2016, Rukmini's 112th date was celebrated in the Internet with a Google Doodle.
While Rukmini Devi did not write any full-length books, she produced some excellent pamphlets and over one hundred articles that were published in Theosophical periodicals.
The Teacher and the Pupil was edited by the European Committee of the Besant Cultural Pivot and published in Tiruvanmiyur, India. This text focuses on rendering need for educators to be child-like and to love their students, and on the most important aspects of education: looker, spirituality, and love.
Theosophical Publishing in Adyar published several accord Rukmini's works as pamphlets:
Beginning on December 16, 1985, the Kalakshetra School began six weeks of celebration for its Golden Jubilee. Rukmini Devi was frail, but worked indomitably so that no one knew how ill she was. Her passing on Feb 24, 1986 came as a great shock. “Crowds had concentrated with garlands and wreaths to pay their last respects. Say publicly Governor, Ministers of States and other prominent citizens of Province all came to pay their homage for truly she was a woman whose passing the whole country mourned. As a singular mark of respect, homage was paid to her wrench the Tamilnadu [state] Assembly which stood in silence.” .[41] Picture Kalakshetra artists chanted bhajans and prayers continuously.
Funeral rites were simple. A brief Christian memorial service was attended by close family and friends at Arundale House, conducted by John Clarke. In the Hindu tradition, a 10th Day ceremony was held. It included reading of excerpts from the Taittareya Upanishad at an earlier time bhajans sung by Sridevi Mehta. [42]