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.
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.
Mrs Burnier was General Secretary of the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society for many years and has lectured extensively since 1960 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 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.
President of Theosophical Society
She was elected International President of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) on July 4 1980, and was re-elected five times. 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
Co-Freemasonry
New Life for India
She was the President of the New Life for India Movement, which has been active since 1968 for the promotion of right citizenship, right values and the use of right means among Indians.
Beauty Without Cruelty
Work in Education
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.
Krishnamurti Foundation
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