Who is credited for the Re-establishment of the Bharatnatyam?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:

Rukmini Devi Arundale is widely celebrated as the pivotal figure in the revival and re-establishment of Bharatnatyam during the early to mid-20th century. At a time when the art form, then known as *Sadir*, was facing decline and social stigma, she dedicated her life to its restoration, successfully transforming it from a neglected temple and court art into a respectable, internationally recognized classical stage form. Her key contribution was founding Kalakshetra in Chennai in 1936, an institution that systematized the training, teaching, and performance of Bharatnatyam. She meticulously reformed the costume, removed any perceived undesirable elements associated with the performance context of the time, and enriched the repertoire with new compositions, effectively giving the dance its current dignified status and preserving its core classical structure for future generations.

The incorrect options are 2, 3, and 4:

These options are incorrect because the named artists are primarily associated with other major forms of classical Indian dance. **Kelucharan Mahapatra** is a legendary Guru widely credited with the revival and systematization of **Odissi** dance, a distinct classical form from Odisha, and not the re-establishment of Bharatnatyam. **Raja-Radha Reddy** are a celebrated duo known for their immense contribution to and mastery of **Kuchipudi** dance, a classical form from Andhra Pradesh. Their efforts focus on their own tradition, not the Bharatnatyam revival. Lastly, **Shankaran Nambudripad** is a distinguished artist and teacher primarily associated with **Kathakali**, another prominent classical dance form from Kerala. While all are maestros, only Rukmini Devi Arundale holds the historical credit for the transformative re-establishment of Bharatnatyam.