--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rukmini Devi was an icon for all the…" description: "\"Rukmini Devi was an icon for all the Bharat Natyam students at Kalakshetra. I grew up watching her at dance school and I associate her style with grace..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/900/amala-akkineni-7888_dance_rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bha_9857.jpg" --- # Rukmini Devi was an icon for all the Bharat Natyam… ![“Rukmini Devi was an icon for all the Bharat Natyam students at Kalakshetra. I grew up watching her at dance school and I associate her style with grace and humility - it's never the clothes, it's the persona.” quote by Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/900/amala-akkineni-7888_dance_rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bha_9857.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/900/amala-akkineni-7888_dance_rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bha_9857.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/900/amala-akkineni-7888_dance_rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bha_9857.jpg) > “Rukmini Devi was an icon for all the Bharat Natyam students at Kalakshetra. I grew up watching her at dance school and I associate her style with grace and humility - it's never the clothes, it's the persona.” [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Her influence stems from embodying grace and humility, shaping how students perceive the art beyond attire. **In simple terms:** Graceful humility defines artistic presence. Key Takeaway Persona outweighs costume. Themes cultural heritage artistic mentorship personal authenticity legacy performance Mood reverent inspired reflective Type testimonial personal anecdote When to use this quote - dance education - student inspiration - cultural preservation - performance critique Key Concepts Bharat Natyam Kalakshetra role modeling cultural identity Practical Applications - Teaching methodology - Curriculum design Questions to Reflect On - How does a teacher's demeanor affect student learning? - What aspects of a performer’s character transcend visual elements? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Devi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devi/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) ## Related quotes > [What Bharat Natyam has taught me is to appreciate the smaller things in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/what-bharat-natyam-has-taught-me-is-to-appreciate-the-smaller-things/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [If we sit deep in meditation, the glow within the body will brighten, and will expand and spread outside. That is Devi Puja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/if-we-sit-deep-in-meditation-the-glow-within-the-body-will-brighten/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [“My alar is like the ocean in storm. (Devi)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/my-alar-is-like-the-ocean-in-storm-devi/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“«Tu devi essere Henri.»”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiara-cilli/tu-devi-essere-henri/) [Chiara Cilli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiara-cilli/) > […the designation of wife in India, of the Hindu wife, is higher and grander than that of Empress. She is called Devi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-designation-of-wife-in-india-of-the-hindu-wife-is-higher-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“जयति महाकाली जयति, आद्य काली माता जय कराला वदने जयति, जगाता मातु विख्याता Victory to you, O Mahakali! - To you Victory, The primordial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/victory-to-you-o-mahakali-to-you-victory-the-primordial-source-of-all/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [“I won't be a monster for you, Devi.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-bach/i-won-t-be-a-monster-for-you-devi/) [Rachel Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-bach/) > [Jai mata vaishno devi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhatsprincess/jai-mata-vaishno-devi/) ZhatsPrincess > [“If they were not Indian, Devi was sure they’d be divorced.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amulya-malladi/if-they-were-not-indian-devi-was-sure-they-d-be-divorced/) [Amulya Malladi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amulya-malladi/) > [“चक्रराजरथारूढ़सर्व्वायुधपरिष्कृता गेयचक्ररथारूढ़मन्त्रिणीपरिसेविता ॥२६ Chakra-raaja-rat'tha-aaroodha-sarva-aayudha-parishkr'thaa Gaeya-chakra-rat'tha-aaroodha-manthrinee-pari-saevithaa 26. She seated in chariot with weapons amply, She who served by those who are worthy, By virtue of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/chakra-raaja-rat-tha-aaroodha-sarva-aayudha-parishkr-thaa-gaeya/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [“नमस्तेशरण्येशिवेसानुकम्पे, नमस्तेजगद्व्यापिकेविश्वरूपे। नमस्तेजगद्वन्द्यपादारविन्दे, नमस्तेजगत्तारिणित्राहिदुर्गे॥१॥ She the refuge, peaceful and merciful undoubtedly, She pervades over all, is universal form certainly, Her lotus feet worshipped by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/she-the-refuge-peaceful-and-merciful-undoubtedly-she-pervades-over/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [“Tri-guna appears in discourse of Krishna prominently, To Arjun upon the battlefield of Kurukshetra clearly; That the backdrop for the Bhagwat Gita surely be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/tri-guna-appears-in-discourse-of-krishna-prominently-to-arjun-upon/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [“From Brahma Puran ब्राह्मीं च वैष्णवीं भद्रां, षड्-भुजां च चतुर्मुखीम्। त्रि-नेत्रां खड्ग-त्रिशूल-पद्म-चक्र-गदा-धराम्॥ पीताम्बर-धरां देवीं, नानाऽलंकार-भूषिताम्। तेजः-पुञ्ज-धरीं श्रेष्ठां, ध्यायेद् बाल-कुमारिकाम्॥ Meditate on youthful Brahmi\* and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/from-brahma-puran-meditate-on-youthful-brahmi-and-vaishnavi-surely/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [“उद्यत्भानुसहस्राभा चतुर्बाहुसमन्विता रागस्वरूपपाशाढ्या क्रोधाकाराङ्कुशोज्ज्वला ॥२ Udyath-bhaanu-sahara-aabhaa Chatu-r-baahu-sama-anwithaa Raga-swa-roopa-paasha-aadhya Kroedha-aakaara-angusha-o-ujjwalaa 2. Who enlightens and destroys evil of devotee, With four arms in all directions destroys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/udyath-bhaanu-sahara-aabhaa-chatu-r-baahu-sama-anwithaa-raga-swa/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [“Arriva un giorno in cui devi chiederti in quale posto vuoi essere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-peroni/arriva-un-giorno-in-cui-devi-chiederti-in-quale-posto-vuoi-essere/) Robert Peroni ## More by Amala Akkineni > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. You are surrounded by nature - cats, dogs, birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/my-school-was-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-a-child-can-grow-up-in/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [During my growing up years, I always connected with men who respected women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/during-my-growing-up-years-i-always-connected-with-men-who-respected/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [Birds and animals in the wild migrate every year to safer and nurturing pastures, leaving behind the old environment. After nurturing their young ones,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/birds-and-animals-in-the-wild-migrate-every-year-to-safer-and/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [It's incredible being a woman. I was, of course, fortunate to have an Irish mother who is an empowered woman. She comes from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/it-s-incredible-being-a-woman-i-was-of-course-fortunate-to-have-an/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [A whole generation is moving away from highly ritualistic practices into a more thinking, spiritual process. By spiritual, I don't refer to a cult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/a-whole-generation-is-moving-away-from-highly-ritualistic-practices/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [Only a niche section of parents allow their children to take up courses on film and television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/only-a-niche-section-of-parents-allow-their-children-to-take-up/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [Many times people tried to convince me about Ahimsa silk, but when I followed the chain of production it always ended with genetically modified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/many-times-people-tried-to-convince-me-about-ahimsa-silk-but-when-i/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [I tend to gravitate towards very simple, minimalistic styles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/i-tend-to-gravitate-towards-very-simple-minimalistic-styles/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [Each creature both great and small has evolved after millions of years of evolution serving an integrated and important part in the ecological balance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/each-creature-both-great-and-small-has-evolved-after-millions-of/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [Filmmaking these days is so technically advanced. When I started off, we had to wait for two to three months to see the rushes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/filmmaking-these-days-is-so-technically-advanced-when-i-started-off/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [There's is a fine line between living one's truth and looking good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/there-s-is-a-fine-line-between-living-one-s-truth-and-looking-good/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [Ereena is a commendable mission for both women empowerment and environmentally sustainable Ahimsa silk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/ereena-is-a-commendable-mission-for-both-women-empowerment-and/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [While growing up we all did our own work' I remember, we had a sign on our bathroom door which said 'Gandhiji cleaned his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/while-growing-up-we-all-did-our-own-work-i-remember-we-had-a-sign-on/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [I was extremely close to my mother-in-law and after she, and later my father-in-law passed away, I continue to feel their presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/i-was-extremely-close-to-my-mother-in-law-and-after-she-and-later-my/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [From Blue Cross we reach out to about 14,000 school kids every year. No matter where I go, be it a police station or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/from-blue-cross-we-reach-out-to-about-14-000-school-kids-every-year/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) [Explore all 86 Amala Akkineni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) ## More Dance quotes > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I make dance music because I love to dance. But I want to think at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-make-dance-music-because-i-love-to-dance-but-i-want-to-think-at-the/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [I like Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I love pop music, but I also like Sam Smith's slow songs. That would be more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-like-sam-smith-and-taylor-swift-i-love-pop-music-but-i-also-like/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) > [I think it's useful to experience other types of dance and other cultures, and the life of a classical dancer these days is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-bull/i-think-it-s-useful-to-experience-other-types-of-dance-and-other/) [Deborah Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-bull/) > [Everything in dancing is style, allusion, the essence of many thoughts and feelings. The abstraction of many moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-ailey/everything-in-dancing-is-style-allusion-the-essence-of-many-thoughts/) [Alvin Ailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-ailey/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [My body was so instrumental to how I took pictures: it was practically a dance. I used to use my legs a lot; now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/my-body-was-so-instrumental-to-how-i-took-pictures-it-was-practically/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [If you dance, you dance because you have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-dunham/if-you-dance-you-dance-because-you-have-to-every-dancer-hurts-you-know/) [Katherine Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-dunham/) > [I'm not a dancer. Never took a dance class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrishell-stause/i-m-not-a-dancer-never-took-a-dance-class/) [Chrishell Stause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrishell-stause/) > [Being fit is the easiest part of being a dance professional. I used to just throw on a backpack full of rocks and run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-du-beke/being-fit-is-the-easiest-part-of-being-a-dance-professional-i-used-to/) [Anton du Beke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-du-beke/) > [I'm a horrible dancer, but I wanted to record songs that made me want to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lane/i-m-a-horrible-dancer-but-i-wanted-to-record-songs-that-made-me-want/) [Chris Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lane/) [Browse all 9,682 Dance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Rukmini Devi was an icon for all the Bharat Natyam students at Kalakshetra. I grew up watching her at dance school and I associate her style with grace and humility - it's never the clothes, it's the persona.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amala Akkineni" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bharat-natyam-students-at/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bharat-natyam-students-at/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/900/amala-akkineni-7888_dance_rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bha_9857.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/900/amala-akkineni-7888_dance_rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bha_9857.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/900/amala-akkineni-7888_dance_rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bha_9857.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Rukmini Devi was an icon for all the Bharat Natyam students at Kalakshetra. I grew up watching her at dance…” — Amala Akkineni", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amala Akkineni", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Rukmini Devi was an icon for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bharat-natyam-students-at/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/rukmini-devi-was-an-icon-for-all-the-bharat-natyam-students-at/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```