top of page

Rukmini Devi Arundale: Arts Revivalist and Institution Builder tells the story of an extraordinary woman who found herself in fortuitous circumstances and used them to revive the arts and build educational institutions. She was courageous enough to say no to the offer of becoming India’s first woman President and to the title of World Mother proposed by the Theosophical Society. In this book we see how Rukmini Devi saw dance, learnt it and made it available to everyone who desired to learn it through her institution, Kalakshetra. She resituated the dance and set up a traditional space for its training amidst nature, clothing it in handloom, pure colours and texture, jewellery and handicrafts that deserved to be celebrated. She used the unique position she found herself in, to tap into and revise the regenerative resources of the tradition of dance, reinterpreting it in her own creative way. This monograph describes how a young Rukmini became the celebrated Rukmini Devi, and the struggle she underwent to set up the various institutions that are her living legacy today.

Buy the Book on the Odyssey website or in Bookstores

Feedback

“The book … is so beautiful. It is a grand meal. Rice, Dhal with ghee, Sambar, Rasam, Buttermilk, Poriyal, Avial, Payasam, Pickle, Vadai and Papad.”

 

Vardaan Tewary. New Delhi.

In the midst of several contrasting intellectual inputs regarding the subject of dance history, it is appreciable that scholars like VR Devika are attempting to educate art lovers on the complete picture using diverse sources and references. Through her book on Muthulakshmi Reddy and Rukmini Devi Arundale, Devika has certainly changed several minds (including mine) and brought some sanity to the extremely polarized world of dance history. Her service to the art world in highlighting the contributions of personalities such as Rukmini Devi should definitely be celebrated and honoured.

Devika's lively writing puts frequently heard facts on Rukmini Devi's life, into the right perspective. Interspersed with some startling revelations, this book comprises yeoman service to dance history showing Rukmini Devi in her rightful place as Arts Revivalist and Institution Builder. What a contribution by the Niyogi Book Series, for publishing such a work and selling it for such a modest sum bringing the book within the reach of all readers!

 

Talks & Podcasts about the Book by the Author

This talk by V R Devika on Rukmini Devi was held on 1st March 2023 . Organized by Madhuradhwani as part of their Vaniyin Vamsam series. Prof. Janardhanan was the Guest of Honour. S Janaki introduced the speaker.

Dr. Anita Ratnam is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, arts presenter, cultural activist, and art entrepreneur from India.

Her podcast series "Anita Says" is an occasional, perhaps even frequent, lens on the global Indian/South Asian dance scene. Trends, shifting aesthetics, the intersection of Dance, Music, Theatre, Performance, and Society. In this episode, she talks to VR Devika on Rukmini Devi Arundale.

39336092-1712346594302-79133b3b0d671.jpg

For media inquiries,
please contact vrdevika@gmail.com

+91 44 42997883 | vrdevika@gmail.com
Chennai,  India

Sign up for news and updates 
from Devika

Thanks for submitting!

© 2024 by VR Devika. Powered and secured by Wix

bottom of page