Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Rukmini Devi Arundale catalyzed the renaissance of the Bharatanatyam dance form, to preserve and popularize it and other Indian traditions. Elaborate. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian art and culture – Nitin Singhania
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question: To write about the contributions of Rukmini Devi Arundale toward reviving and achieving global recognition to Bharatanatyam.
Directive:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Write a brief introduction about Rukmini Devi Arundale – as a person and a performer of Bharatanatyam.
Body:
Mention about the status of Bharatanatyam in its original ‘sadhir’ style prevalent amongst the temple dancers, the Devadasis and was considered a vulgar art.
Write about the role that Rukmini Devi Arundale played in popularizing the movement – Rukmini Devi Arundale was also instrumental in modifying mainly the Pandanallur style of Bharata Natyam and bringing it to the attention of the West. Rukmini Devi raised Bharata Natyam to a puritan art form, by removing certain emotional elements evocative of the erotic, such as hip, neck, lip and chest movements) from the Pandanallur style.
Next, write about the other contributions of Rukmini Devi.
Conclusion:
Write about Bharatanatyam in the present day due to the efforts of Rukmini Devi.
