Which dancer founded the Kalakshetra Institute in Chennai that promotes performing art forms?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Rukmini Devi Arundale.
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Rukmini Devi Arundale was a renowned Indian classical dancer and the founder of the Kalakshetra Foundation, an academy for Bharatanatyam and other Indian art forms.
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She played a key role in reviving and re-establishing Bharatanatyam as a respected classical dance form in the 20th century.
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Kalakshetra Foundation, established in 1936 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, promotes Indian performing arts and cultural traditions globally.
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She introduced innovative techniques in stagecraft and costumes to enhance the visual appeal of Bharatanatyam.
Other Option:
- Hema Malini: A renowned actress and trained Bharatanatyam dancer, often called the "Dream Girl" of Bollywood. She is a noted performer but not the founder of Kalakshetra.
- Yamini Krishnamurthy: A celebrated exponent of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. She is known for her mastery and powerful performances but did not found Kalakshetra.
- Mrinalini Sarabhai: A legendary classical dancer, she was the founder of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, which promotes classical dance, drama, and puppetry. She was a contemporary of Rukmini Devi Arundale.