Radha Burnier

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) estate at on 15 November 1923 into a Theosophical family. She was the daughter of Mr N. Sri Ram, who was the fifth International President of the organization.

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

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.

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".

Dance training

From 1938 to 1944 she studied classical Indian dance with Rukmini Devi Arundale at Kalakshetra, the Arts Academy 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.

She played a major role in the well-known director Jean Renoir’s classical film "The River" (Le Fleuve) in 1948.

Scholarly activities

Mrs. Burnier has translated from Sanskrit Hathayogapradipika, the dance chapter of Samgitaratnakara, and others.

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, Adyar Lodge and the Madras Theosophical Federation in succession. She was the Secretary of the Cultural Association of Varanasi.

Besides her work as General Secretary of the Indian Section and International President of the Theosophical Society, she has been 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 in like the Krotona Institute in the United States of America, The Manor in Australia, the International Theosophical Centre at Naarden, Holland, etc.

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 Brahmavidya and supervised its publications. She also 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 (Adyar she continued to be on the editorial board of the Library’s annual journal on Indology.

Indian Section

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.

President of 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).

Other activities

New Life for India

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.

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.

Online resources

Articles

• Radha S. Burnier at Theosophical Society Adyar website
• An Intervieew with Radha Burnier at Life Positive.com

Additional resources

• Articles by Radha Burnier at KatinkaHesselink.net
• Mrs. Radha S. Burnier at ZoomInfo.com