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SPEAKER_03: Hello, I'm Lauren Iannotti, editor-in-chief of Real Simple, and I'll be your guest host for this week of Womanica. This month, we're talking about movers and shakers, dancers, stunt women, martial artists, and other pioneering women who've used their physical prowess to shake things up. Today, we're talking about a woman who used her love of movement to revitalize an Indian classical dance. Please welcome Rukmini Devi Arrondale. Rukmini Devi was born February 29th, 1904 in Madurai, India to an upper-class family. Rukmini's father was deeply involved in the Theosophical Society, a religious philosophy that emphasizes mysticism. You can hear more about Theosophy and its co-founder, Helena Blavatsky, in a previous episode of Womanica. Rukmini spent her childhood surrounded by prominent theosophists, including the British educator Dr. George Arrondale. When Rukmini was only 16, George, who was 24 years her senior, proposed. Despite the union causing quite the scandal, Rukmini and George were married. The couple traveled the world teaching Theosophy. It was during this time that Rukmini found her true calling, and she was very happy. It was during this time that Rukmini found her true calling, dance. While in London, Rukmini saw ballerina Anna Pavlova. She was enamored watching Anna gracefully pirouette across the stage. As she continued to travel, Rukmini caught Anna's performances in cities all around the world. Finally, on a boat to Australia, Rukmini met the prima ballerina. Anna introduced Rukmini to ballet and had one of her students give Rukmini lessons on board. When the voyage came to a close, Anna encouraged Rukmini to keep dancing ballet, but suggested that she also learn the traditional dances of her own country. Rukmini followed her advice and began studying Bharatanatyam, a South Indian classical dance. Historically, the dance was performed by a solo woman in a Hindu temple, but under British colonial rule, these dancers were portrayed as harlots or sex workers. The practice of dancing in Hindu temples was subsequently banned. For an upper-caste woman like Rukmini to perform Bharatanatyam was seriously frowned upon, but she was determined to break the stigma and revitalize the dance. Finally, after nearly a decade of training, Rukmini was ready. In 1935, the Theosophical Society celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. Rukmini's husband, George, introduced her and she took the stage solo in front of a plain backdrop. She began moving back and forth while using her hand movements and posture to demonstrate the spirituality of the dance. Her footwork and facial expression told the story. Instead of the seductive costumes of the past, Rukmini opted for garments inspired by ancient sculptures. At a time when British colonial rule continued to stifle India, Rukmini's reimagination of the Bharatanatyam challenged the caste system and sparked a reinvestment in Indian traditions. To continue her work, Rukmini founded Kalakshatra, a center for the study and performance of fine arts. At the center, Rukmini choreographed dances and worked to revive traditional arts. Rukmini's push for a cultural renaissance bled into politics as well. She was the first Indian woman to be nominated to the Indian Parliament's Council of States. And in 1977, Rukmini was offered a nomination for President of India. When she received the call asking if she would like to be president, she asked, "'President of what?'" When she was told, "'India,'" she politely declined. Rukmini didn't want to step away from her work at the Kalakshatra. Rukmini passed away on February 24, 1986. She was 81 years old. During her life, Rukmini received India's highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan. And in 1993, the Indian Parliament declared Kalakshatra an institute of national importance. Kalakshatra is still active today, preserving the classical arts of India. That's it for this episode of Womanaka. To learn about more individuals changing the game, check out Real Simple's March issue on newsstands and at realsimple.com slash gamechangers. We're celebrating the people, inventions, and ideas that are changing our lives for the better. Special thanks to co-creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan for having me as a guest host. Talk to you tomorrow.
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