Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s1.t7.12

v2.c11.s1.t7.12

**Revival of Bharatanatyam and Rukmini Devi** The declining situation of Bharatanatyam deeply affected those who truly loved this art, so a revival movement gradually rose. Represented by Rukmini Devi, numerous supporters of Bharatanatyam started their rescue action, and wanted it to return to its previous glory. Indian theosophist, dancers and choreographers of Bharatanatyam and defender of animal rights - Rukmini Devi (February 29, 1904 - February 24, 1986) are the most important representatives of the revival movement of Bharatanatyam. Although born in a senior Brahman family, Rukmini Devi completely disregarded the pressure from public opinion, and learned Bharatanatyam from an unemployed Devadasi, which had become a vulgar art in the people’s eyes at that time. She also performedin public, fully displaying the beauty of the dance form. And she also rejected the dross and gave it a noble and elegant original appearance. In 1936, Rukmini together with her husband, established an academy of arts in the name of Kalakshetra, and hired a Brahman and Devadasi who worked in the temples to teach in the form of a traditional private school (Gurukul system). They collected the traditional dances and imparted them to students, and began to write new works. The school became a world famous professional school of Bharatanatyam, and cultivated a large number of artistic talents to carry forward the traditional art. Leela Samson, a famous contemporary dancer of Bharatanatyam in India, is one of the top students of Rukmini. When following the traditional art, she also constantly made verious changes to form her own style. Her performance is exquisite and vivid, elegant and dignified, receiving high praise from audiences. In the 1990s, she earned the Padma Shri, and served as the Dean of Kalakshetra Academy of Arts between 2005-2012. Now, she is the Chairman of the Indian Music and Drama Association (Sangeet