Within a year after her first performance at the Theosophical Society, Rukmini Devi and Dr George Arundale formed the Kalakshetra. Rukmini Devi Arundale is the most important revivalist in the Indian classical dance form of Bharathanaatyam. On till December 31, the annual festival is an endeavour to promote the true spirit of art, which was the vision of the centre’s founder Rukmini Devi Arundale. Kalakshetra’s reputation rests on its dance dramas, meticulously crafted ensemble pieces choreographed by Rukmini Devi. She did this with the help of several stalwart Sanskrit and Tamizh pundits who researched traditional texts. Rukmini Devi first met Dr George Arundale, in 1917. Based in Chennai, India, the academy was founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale and her husband George Arundale. Kalakshetra Foundation, formerly simply Kalakshetra, is an arts and cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art and crafts, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. Rukmini Devi teaching at Kalakshetra, Periya Sarada accompanying her At the Annual Convention of the Theosophical Society in 1940, George Arundale, its President and Rukmini Devi’s husband, declared: ‘Today it is a humble cottage, this Kalakshetra, but in due course we shall have buildings, beautiful, simple structures created by our own hands, the Temple to India’s glory. Rukmini Devi choreographed her first drama Kuttrala Kuravanji, to the music of Veena Krishnamachariar. Rukmini Devi's KALAKSHETRA epitomises the cultural & spiritual traditions. He then settled down in Calcutta, with a secured job as the Professor of Bharatanatyam of the Kalakshetra bani in Rabindra Bharati University churning out batches Read more On the occasion of Rukmini Devi Arundale’s birthday, the airy, almost ethereal campus is buzzing. Under Arundale's guidance, the institution achieved national and international recognition for its unique style and perfectionism. The music for the dance dramas is the living legacy of the musicians who came to the institute. However, they faced a great deal of opposition from a conservative society in Madras, but stayed firm in their resolve and remained happily married until Dr. Arundale’s death in 1945. He was an active member of the Theosophical Society. Fascinated by Rukmini Devi’s love for the mankind and humanity, Dr Arundale, in 1920, married her with the approval and support of her family. The 3 dance dramas and 3 parts of Ramayana Series of Kalakshetra are featured in the festival. She and her husband established the Kalakshetra academy of dance and music in Chennai in 1936. Through her utopian arts colony, Kalakshetra, started during the movement towards Indian independence, she taught what she deemed to be a classical, religious and aesthetically pleasing form of dance. Kalakshetra & Rukmini Devi Arundale: The Lady Atop India's Top Arts Academy - V. Gowri Shanker: Kalakshetra founded by Rukmini Arundale: Stamp issued by Indian Government in honour of Rukmini Arundale. Her father was a renowned Sanskrit scholar Shri A.Nilakanta Sastri of Thiruvisai Nallur, an important centre of Sanskrit learning in those days. Rukmani Devi Arundale nominated by … Rukmini Devi Arundale, the founder of Kalakshetra who collated and codified the adavus and the theoretical elements in the Bharatanatyam repertoire with great vision. 37:15 – Subha’s question “Your experiences with Rukmini Devi Arundale in Kalakshetra ... 50:52 – Subha asks “People who have interacted with Rukmini Devi Arundale and those who did not interact: the change in polarizing views. Rukmini Devi Arundale (29 February 1904 – 24 February 1986) was an Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer of the Indian classical dance form of Bharatnatyam, and also an activist for animal rights and welfare. The name was decided by Pandit S. Subramania Sastri, a Sanskrit scholar and member of the academy. In 1920, when Smt Rukmini Devi was sixteen, she married Dr. Arundale with Annie Besant’s blessings and with the approval and support of her mother and brothers. Kalakshetra is synonymous with Bharatanatyam dance maestro and theosophist Late Shrimati Rukmini Devi Arundale. Remembering Smt Rukmini Devi Arundale / Founder Kalakshetra Template:Infobox actor Rukmini Devi Arundale (Tamil:ருக்மிணி தேவி அருண்டேல்) (February 29, 1904 – February 24, 1986 ) was an Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer in Indian classical dancer form of Bharatnatyam, and also an activist for … Rukmini Devi was born on 29th february 1904. In 1962, Kalakshetra move… What are your views? Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and a disciple of Rukmini Devi, Leela Samson once said in an interview, “ [Rukmini Devi [ adored the devadasis. And sarees from Kalakshetra have always been a dream for all Bharatanatyam … The aim of this organisation can be summed up in her own words: “with the sole purpose of resuscitating in modern India, recognition of the priceless artistic traditions of our country and of imparting to the young the true spirit of art, devoid of vulgarity and commercialism." The institute she founded, Kalakshetra, has gained international recognition and become synonymous with all things “classical” in India. Recognizing the beauty and spiritual value of this art form, she not only learned the dance, but also presented it on stage in spite of strong public protests. Offering the audience a glimpse of our founder Rukmini Devi Arundale’s choreography, our revival project this year is the dance-drama, Shakunthalam that was performed last in the year 2013. Kalakshetra is a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. Smt. Arundale was also in-charge of the organization’s paper, “New India”. In this period of cultural and political turmoil, instead of Bharatnatyam becoming extinct, it expanded out of Hindu temples and was revived as a mainstream dance by Bharatnatyam artists such as Rukmini Devi Arundale, Balasaraswati and Yamini Krishnamurti They championed and performed the Pandanallur (Kalakshetra) and Thanjavur styles of Bharatanatyam, respectively. Devi was also an animal rights activist. One Hundred Tamils of the 20th Century. Young Khagendranath Barman travelled all the way from Guwahati to the then Madras to learn Bharatanatyam under Dr.Rukmini Devi Arundale, whom he fondly calls Atai like all her disciples. All the members were deeply committed to the Theosophical society and as well as Kalakshetra. He was the husband … Her mother Seshammal was from Thiruvaiyaru, a great centre of music. The academy was founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale.Under Arundale's guidance the institution achieved national and international recognition for its unique style and perfection. Founder, Kalakshetra. Rukmini Devi Arundale, herself a choreographer and dancer, is considered one of the key figures in re-creating Bharatanatyam. In 1936, the Kalakshetra Foundation was established by Rukmini Devi Arundale. Kalakshetra Annual Arts Festival - Dec. 21 - 31, 2020 Kalakshetra Foundation will be hosting classical productions choreographed by legendary Rukmini Devi along with classical music presentations by stalwarts during this year's 67th Annual art festival. It is not an institution it is an inspiration , it is not merely a college it is a culture. 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