Kalakshetra Foundation' was established by Rukmini Devi in which year?

Question

Accepted Answer

Kalakshetra Foundation was established by Rukmini Devi Arundale in the year 1936, which corresponds to Option 3. This foundation was created with the vision of preserving and promoting Indian classical arts, particularly Bharatanatyam, which was undergoing a revival during that period. Rukmini Devi was a pioneering figure in the Indian cultural renaissance, and her efforts through Kalakshetra played a significant role in elevating the status of Bharatanatyam from a temple dance to a respected art form on the global stage.

Now, let's examine why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Option 1: 1918** - This year is too early for the establishment of Kalakshetra Foundation. During this time, Rukmini Devi was still in her formative years and had not yet embarked on her journey to revive Indian classical dance. The socio-cultural environment of India was also not conducive to such an initiative at that time.

2. **Option 2: 1922** - Although closer to the correct timeframe, 1922 is still not the year when Kalakshetra was founded. During the early 1920s, Rukmini Devi was involved in other cultural and educational activities but had not yet founded Kalakshetra. Her focus on dance and the establishment of the foundation came later.

3. **Option 4: 1952** - By 1952, Kalakshetra Foundation was already well-established and had been functioning for several years. This year is too late to be considered the founding year. By this time, the institution had already gained recognition for its contributions to the arts.

In conclusion, Option 3 (1936) is the correct answer as it accurately reflects the year when Rukmini Devi Arundale established the Kalakshetra Foundation, marking a significant milestone in the history of Indian classical arts.