90+
Years of Experience
2+
Students Taught
1
Followers
About
Rukmini Devi Arundale (1904–1986) was a pioneering Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and theosophist, widely credited with the renaissance and revitalization of the Bharatanatyam dance form. Born on February 29, 1904, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, she hailed from an orthodox Brahmin family with a strong cultural and academic background. Her early life was…
Journey Timeline
1904
Born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu
1920
Married George Arundale
1935
First public performance (debut) — Performed at the Diamond Jubilee Convention of the Theosophical Society
1936
Founded Kalakshetra Foundation — Initially known as the International Centre for Arts
1952
Nominated to Rajya Sabha — First woman in Indian history to be nominated to the upper house of Parliament
1956
Awarded Padma Bhushan
1957
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
1962
Kalakshetra moved to its new campus — Located in Besant Nagar, Chennai
1967
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
1986
Died in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- 1956 · Padma Bhushan — Government of India
- 1957 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1967 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1972 · Desikothama — Visva Bharati University
- 1968 · Prani Mitra — Animal Welfare Board of India
- 1984 · Kalidas Samman — Government of Madhya Pradesh
- Queen Victoria Silver Medal — Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, London
- Honorary Doctorate — Wayne State University, United States
Media Coverage
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