Radha Burnier

Radha Burnier visiting on Olcott campus.

Radha Burnier (née Radha Sri Ram) (November 15, 1923 – October 31, 2013) was the seventh International President of the Theosophical Society (Adyar). Having taken office in 1980, she was the longest standing President of the organization (33 years), followed by Annie Besant (26 years).

Early life and education

Radha Sri Ram was born in Adyar, Chennai, India, on the grounds of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) on November 15 , 1923, into a Theosophical family. She was the daughter of Mr. Nilakanta Sri Ram, who was the fifth International President of the organization, and Srimati Bhagirathi, who was also an active member of the Society. Although she was born a Brahmin, her family did not follow the exclusivist customs attached to their cast but adhere to the Theosophical ideal of universal brotherhood.

Radha was a third-generation Theosophist. Her grandfather, A. Nilakanta Sastri, was an early member of the Society, much inspired by the Founders of the Society when they came to India and Madras.

As a child, she had the opportunity to make the acquaintance of Annie Besant, then President of the Theosophical Society, of which she kept some memories as an adult.

She was educated in the National Girls’ High School, a school founded by Theosophists. Later on she went to the Benares Hindu University from which she obtained a B.A. with distinction and a M.A. on Sanskrit, standing first in that University.

Early in 1951 Radha Sri Ram married Raymond Burnier, a Swiss photographer, who helped her begin a brief film career. He had come to India in 1932 to photograph temple art, and met young Radha at Hindu University in Benares. They were soon divorced.

Dance training

Lord Mountbatten's comments on dance performance.

Programme from 1948 dance recital.

From 1938 to 1944 she studied classical Indian dance with her aunt Rukmini Devi Arundale at Kalakshetra, the Arts Academy that worked in the campus of the Theosophical Society. She was the first student to graduate in Bharata Natya from Kalakshetra and has gave dance recitals in many cities in India and Europe.

On July 10, 1948, Srimati Radha Sri Ram performed a dance recital at Government House in New Delhi for Lord Mountbatten and his wife, who were "much impressed by the beauty of her movements and the technical perfection of her performance."

A few weeks later, on the evening of Sunday, July 25, 1948, in the Theatre of the Theosophical Society headquarters at Adyar, Miss Sri Ram gave a Bharata Natya dance recital to benefit the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. The Prime Minister, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, was present, along with his daughter, Mrs. Indira Gandhi; the Governor and Lady Nye; Srimati Bhagirathi Sri Ram, the dancer's mother; T.S. President C. Jinarājadāsa; T.S. Vice President Sidney A. Cook and his wife Etha; and many local dignitaries. At the end of the performance, Radha delivered to the Prime Minister a check for the Relief Fund, and he praised her dancing.

Filming The River

Cover for the Movie The River featuring young Radha Burnier

Mrs. Burnier played a major role in the well-known director Jean Renoir’s classical film "The River" (Le Fleuve), based on Rumer Godden’s novel. The film was made in only five months, and was released in 1951. The producer, Kenneth McEldowney, made four trips to India in a year and half, trying to cast the role of Melanie, because most Indian women were not permitted by their families to perform in a film, especially in a role that involved a kiss. When he met Radha, he was skeptical until he saw her dance. He said, “She was magnificent. She is like a goddess.” His wife Melvina wrote, “I never knew a goddess could have such a delightful sense of humor, such honest intelligence, such understanding of people and still be so young.” Her family’s broad-minded view of culture permitted Radha to take the film role.

Shortly after her marriage, the Burniers travelled to Beverly Hills, and then to New York with the Renoirs. She wrote in a letter to James S. Perkins,

You must have read in the papers about my marriage with Raymond Burnier whom you met in our house at Adyar. This, and other business connected with the film, have forced me to change my plans. We and the Renoirs and some other people are going to New York where we will see the colour-print of the film. . . I am extremely sorry that I will not be able to be present at the Convention.

The film was well received and was influential to several Indian and American filmmakers. For an excerpt of Radha dancing, and the complete film, see the Videos section below.

Theosophical work

Radha Burnier joined the Society in 1935 when she was still 12 years old, and from 1945 onwards became actively involved with its various activities.

She was President of the Youth Lodge and Adyar Lodge for several years, and from 1959 to 1963 she was President of the Madras Theosophical Federation.

Besides her work as General Secretary of the Indian Section and International President of the Theosophical Society (see below), she was a member of the Society’s General Council since 1960, a member of its Executive Committee since 1957 and a member of the Adyar Estate Administration Committee since its inception in 1960.

She was also the President of several Theosophical centers like the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California, USA, The Manor Centre in Sydney, Australia, and the International Theosophical Centre in Naarden, Holland.

Indian Section

From 1945 to 1951, while pursuing her studies at the Benares Hindu University, she was active at the national headquarters of the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society at Varanasi (Benares), where she served as Librarian of the Section.

In 1960 Mrs Burnier was elected as General Secretary of the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society and stayed in office for eighteen years. During that time she lectured extensively throughout India and the world on theosophical, philosophical and cultural subjects.

Adyar Library and Research Centre

From 1954 to 1959 she was the Assistant Director of the Adyar Library and Research Centre founded by Col. Olcott. From 1959 until 1980 she was its Director. In this capacity, she was the editor of the Library’s Research journal Brahmavidyā and supervised its publications.

Mrs. Burnier translated several Sanskrit works, such as the Hatha-yoga-pradipika, a well-known manual on Hatha Yoga, and the chapter on dance in the Samgita-ratnâkara, a classic work on music and dance.

After being chosen as International President of the Theosophical Society she continued to be on the editorial board of the Library’s annual journal on Indology.

Work in Education

While in Varanasi, from 1960 to 1972, Mrs. Burnier was the Manager of the Besant Theosophical School, and the Theosophical School, College and hostel for girls in that city.

She was Chairman of the Olcott Education Society, Chennai, whose concern is the education and welfare of the underprivileged, and of the Besant Education Fellowship.

President of the Theosophical Society

Mrs. Burnier was elected International President of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) on July 4 1980, and took office on 17 July. She was eventually re-elected five times in that office. She was the seventh person to hold this office in the Society since it was founded in 1875, and was the longest standing President (33 years), followed by Annie Besant (26 years).

She presided over four World Congresses of the Theosophical Society: 1982 in Nairobi, Kenya; 1993 in Brasilia, Brazil, 2001 in Sydney, Australia; and 2010 in Rome, Italy.

Meetings with political and religious leaders

Throughout her life, Mrs. Burnier met with many political and religious leaders in India and all over the world.

Parliament of the World's Religions

In 1993, the Parliament of the World's Religions took place in Chicago, celebrating the centenary of the World's Parliament of Religions. Many religious leaders participated, including the Dalai Lama. Three major Theosophical organizations collaborated to present about 30 lectures and panel discussions. Mrs. Burnier spoke on "Self-Transformation and the Future of Religion."

Radha Burnier greeting Dalai Lama on July 14, 1981.

Dalai Lama

Mrs. Burnier met with the Fourteenth Dalai Lama several times during her presidency. One memorable occasion was in July, 1981, when His Holiness visited the Olcott campus of the Theosophical Society in America in Wheaton, Illinois. He gave a public lecture and a private talk to local members and staff, and stayed on campus for two nights.

Krishnamurti

J. Krishnamurti with Mrs. Burnier

Mrs. Burnier was a close associate of Jiddu Krishnamurti. They had known each other from the time he was a young man at Adyar and she was a child. He always treated her with much affection.

On November 4, 1980, at her invitation, Krishnamurti visited Adyar after an absence of 47 years. He walked with her and a number of residents from the main gate of the compound to the sea-shore and visited the beach where he was discovered, in 1909, by C. W. Leadbeater. Two years later, in December 1982, during the Adyar Centenary Convention of the Theosophical Society, Krishnamurti planted a Bodhi tree at Adyar.

After this, whenever he was in Madras, he would visit her house at Adyar and walk with her on the beach.

Mrs. Burnier was a Trustee of the Krishnamurti Foundation India.

Other activities

Mrs. Radha Burnier was involved in many cultural, educational, and spiritual activities and organizations.

She was the head of the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California; The Manor Centre in Sydney and President of the International Theosophical Centre in Naarden, Holland. She was the Secretary of the Cultural Association of Varanasi.

Co-Freemasonry

M. Ill. Bro. Radha Burnier 33°, was the Grand Master of the Eastern Order of International Co-Freemasonry and President of its Supreme Council from 2001 to 2013. Before, she had been a member of the Order "Le Droit Humain".

New Life for India Movement

In 1968 Mrs. Burnier became the Founder-President of the New Life for India Movement, whose aim is to create an awareness in Indian youth of right citizenship, right values and right means of livelihood. Its journal is Wake Up India.

Beauty Without Cruelty

Beauty Without Cruelty is an animal rights movement, derived from a British company that manufacturers vegan cosmetics without animal-derived components or animal testing. It was established by Theosophists Lord Hugh Dowding and Lady Muriel Dowding. The Theosophical Order of Service works with BWC, which has centers in Adyar and Varanasi, India.

Awards and honors

In January 1984, the Nagarjuna University conferred on her the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of her "distinguished contribution to the advancement of learning and the promotion of human values".

On March 5, 2008, Chennaionline conferred the Golden Lotus Award on Radha Burnier at a function in Chennai. The Award Carries a Golden Lotus, a Citation and a purse. Mrs Akhila Srinivasan, Managing Director in the Five thousand-crore Shriram Group presented this award, the citation and a purse to the eighty-four year young girl of Chennai.

Personal tributes

In 1951, a friend asked,

"What do you want from life, Radha? Do you want to marry and have a family, do you want to have a career as a dancer or do you want to be a teacher? I think you could be anything you want to be. What is really your ambition?"

She answered me simply and directly as she always did: "My ambition is to perfect the art of self-discipline."

There certainly was nothing of the martyr or the fanatic in Radha. I understood clearly that she meant that we are only happy in life when we are strong, and we are only as strong as our weakness.”

Writings

Mrs. Burnier served as editor of The Theosophist, and wrote many articles and editorials. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists over 960 published articles authored by Radha Burnier, in many major journals.

As a Sanskrit scholar, she collaborated in translating these texts:

• The Samgitaratnakara of Sarngadeva Vol. 4. Adyar, Madras, India: Adyar Library and Research Centre, 1976. This is Number 51 in the Adyar Library series, and Volume 4 is a chapter on dancing. Translators were K. Kunjunni Raja and Radha Burnier.
• The Hathayogapradipika: with the Commentary Jyotsna of Brahmananda and English translation. Adyar, Madras, India: Adyar Library and Research Centre, 1972. It is Number 4 in the Adyar Library Series. Translated by Radha Burnier and A. A. Ramanathan.

In addition, she wrote books, lectures, and booklets, some of which were translated into French, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch, and Slovenian:

• The Way of Self-Knowledge. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979. Blavatsky lecture, delivered in 1979.
• D. K. Kunjunni Raja Felicitation Volume. Adyar, Madras, India: Adyar Library and Research Centre, 1982. Radha Burnier was editor of this festschrift for D. K. Kunjunni Raja.
• No Other Path to Go. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985.
• Truth, Beauty and Goodness. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1985.
• The Universal Yoga Tradition. London: Theosophical Society in England, 1988. Blavatsky Lecture, delivered on July 30, 1988. Available at TS in America Website or TS in Australia Website.
• Beauty and Truth. Varanasi, India, 1900s.
• Human Regeneration: Lectures and Discussions. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991.
• Masters and Gurus: Stages on the Path. Sydney: Education Unit, Theosophical Society in Australia, 2004. Theosophical study paper no. 4.
• The World Around Us.

Death

Dr. Radha Burnier died in the evening of October 31, 2013, at her home. Dr. S.D. Inbaraj, honorary medical officer of the Theosophical Society, said:

She breathed her last at 9 p.m. following an acute myocardial infarction. She had a mild stroke three years ago. She also battled cancer, had a surgery and her health deteriorated on Thursday. Yet she continued to be an inspiration for many youngsters. She was a great personality.

S. Harihara Raghavan, speaking for the Theosophical Society, announced that cremation would take place at the Besant Nagar crematorium at 2pm on Friday, November 8.

Online resources

Articles

By Radha Burnier

• Various Articles by Radha Burnier at KatinkaHesselink.net
• The Alchemy of Experience
• Being in the World, But Not of It
• Brotherhood is a Fact in Nature
• Clear Vision and Sane Living
• Conventions at Adyar
• Culture and Human Progress
• Delight as a Form of Yoga
• The Essential Work of the Theosophical Society
• Gentle Thoughts and a Gentle World
• In Tune With the Universe
• J. Krishnamurti, Theosophy and the Theosophical Society
• Krishnamurti and Theosophy
• Masters and Gurus
• The Middle Way
• New Light on Old Ideas
• Nothingness
• Stages On The Path
• Strength or Weakness?
• Theosophy Is for Everyone
• The Universal Yoga Tradition
• The Urgency for a New Perspective
• What is Our Priority?
• The Web of Life

About Radha Burnier

• Radha Burnier at Theosopedia
• Radha S. Burnier at Theosophical Society Adyar website
• An Interview with Radha Burnier at Life Positive.com
• Press Release of the Grand Lodge of Freemasonry for Men and Women at KatinkaHesselink.net
• Radha Burnier Visits The Olcott Campus by Richard Smolley
• Radha Burnier, president of Theosophical Society, dies at 90 at The Times of India
• Her heart and soul were given to Theosophy at The Hindu Newspaper
• Radha Burnier's Natal Chart at Khaldea.com
• "Theosophical Society president dies", MattersIndia website, November 1, 2013. Accessed November 3, 2013.

Audio

• The Basis of Meditation by Radha Burnier
• The Middle Way by Radha Burnier

Videos

• "Radha Burnier of the Theosophic Society" YouTube interview.
• Presentation of the book The World Around Us by Radha Burnier
• Presidential Address Convention 2011 (Four Parts)
• Some Thoughts on the Work and Value of the Theosophical Society YouTube presentation of portrait to Radha Burnier by Tim Boyd.
• Death and Immortality lecture from the Theosophical Society in America.
• Radha Burnier dancing in Jean Renoir's "The River" (1951).
• Jean Renoir, The River (Le Fleuve), 1951. 1 hour, 35 minutes.

Additional resources

• Mrs. Radha S. Burnier at ZoomInfo.com