Today is International Women's Day. Google has published a doodle honouring various women throughout history. One of them is Rukmini Devi Arundale, who challenged social norms to popularise Bharatanatyam, a dance style which was once considered fit for women of poor character. She also challenged norms outside of dance, marrying a British national 26 years her senior when she was only 16. Yet their marriage was a happy one, and it was her husband who encouraged her to pursue dance. On one occasion (possibly apocryphal), Rukmini was asked if she would like to be President of India, but declined in order to continue with dance.
Bonus:
For her contributions to Indian culture Rukmini was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956, the third highest honour in India. The highest is the Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India), which has been awarded only 45 times since it was first conceived in 1954. These have all been Indians except three: Mother Theresa (although she was a naturalised Indian), Nelson Mandela, and - surprisingly - a Pakistani national. This third was Bacha Khan, who championed a peaceful course towards independence from Britain, and is sometimes thought of as a Muslim counterpart to Gandhi (with whom he was good friends).
Bonus 2:
Sacrosanct is an English adjective, which is used to characterise something too important, sacred, or complex to criticise.
-E
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