Google Pays Tribute To Rukmini Devi On Her 112nd Birth Anniversary

Friday, August 12 2016, 01:19:27

Lavanya Bahuguna

Blogger-in-Chief

Google Pays Tribute To Rukmini Devi On Her 112th Birth Anniversary

JWB Post

February 29, 2016

Did you see the Google Doodle today? Google is giving tribute to renowned Bharatnatyam dancer, Late Rukmini Devi Arundale, on her 112thbirth anniversary. She was an Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer of the Indian classical dance form.

Rukmini played a very important role towards the re-establishment of traditional Indian arts and crafts. She is considered an important revivalist in Bharatnatyam from its original ‘sadhir’ style, prevalent amongst the temple dancers, Devadasis.

And because of her worthy efforts, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1967. She was also featured in India Today’s list of ‘100 People Who Shaped India’.

Later, Rukmini established the International Academy for the Arts in 1936, renamed as Kalakshetra. Rukmini’s love for animals and birds is well known. A Rajya Sabha MP in 1952 and 1956, she introduced the Bill for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which was passed in 1960. She was Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board from 1962, until her demise.