Smt. Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani was born in the United States in 1943 but came to India to study Yoga at the age of 25 and fell in love with the country and its culture. She has lived in India ever since, and received Indian citizenship on November 30, 1992. In her own words; "It was the proudest day of my life".
She met her Guru in Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj in 1968 and since that time has devoted her life to his teachings and to institutions founded by him. She has been instrumental in training more than 10,000 village children in the art and science of Yoga and Bharat Natyam (traditional dance) since 1975, through the Sri Kambaliswamy Yoga and Fine Arts Programme.
She is a journalist by profession and her articles and essays often appear in national and international magazines and newspapers.
She has been editor of the international magazine Yoga Life since 1970 and is Managing Editor of the Ashram's publishing unit Satya Press.
She is Director of Studies (Ashram Acharya) for the Six Month International Yoga Teachers Training Course offered annually at the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research (ICYER), as well as for the year-long International Diploma in Yoga Education. As well, she is a prolific author and has written several books pertaining to Yoga, including two books of poetry.
She is a popular Conference and Seminar speaker, and the list of her keynote speaking engagements over the years is endless. She has been Organizing Secretary for several major International Yoga Conferences.
Smt. Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani ("Amma", as she is known to her students and admirers) has been recipient of many National Awards. To name a few: The former President of India Shri Zail Singh Ji awarded her the title "Yogamani" in 1986 at an International Yoga Conference held at the Asian Village, New Delhi. In 1998 she was awarded the National Award, Bhaskar Award by Bharat Nirman and Indian Trade Promotion Organisation, New Delhi, one of fifty eminent Indians so honoured during the 50th year of Indian Independence for their contribution to Indian culture and spirituality. In January 1999, Pondicherry Government gave her the highest award for an artist, the Puduvai Kalaimamani Award for her work in Bharat Natyam.
In December 1999 Smt. Meenakshi Devi was named as an eminent Yoga expert to the Central Council for
Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, under the Health Ministry, Government of India, New Delhi, and she was named to the Finance Committee of this Council in March 2000. She was named to Academic Council, Pondicherry University, in March 2000.
She is Director of Yoganjali Natyalayam, a popular City Centre for the propagation of Yoga, Bharat Natyam and Carnatic Music and has developed a famous Bharat Natyam troupe that appears regularly in prestigious festivals and also stages spectacular Bharat Natyam and Yoga programmes yearly in Pondicherry. With a faculty and staff of 30 people, the Natyalayam boasts a regular student body of 400 and has graduated more than 5000 students since its inception in 1993.
She has worked tirelessly to reinstate the ancient acrobatic Natya Karanas into the Bharat Natyam repertoire and has presented lecture demonstration on this topic at the ABHAI dance festivals in Chennai. Her students have performed Bharatanatyam recitals in many places including Bombay, New Delhi, Bangalore, Kodaikanal, Chennai, Karaikal and Chidambaram Natyanjali.
In the past 10 years Amma has composed, Choreographed and Directed 10 Full-length DANCE DRAMAS, each of three hours duration, involving more than fifty dancers and musicians, and 25 mini DANCE DRAMAS.
Her Yoganjali Natyalayam Bharat Natyam Troupe has performed every year in the International Yoga
Festival since 1993, as well as performing for Food Festivals, DRDA Festival, Chidambaram Natyanjali Celebrations, Vinayaka Chathurthi Festivals (1991-2001), Fete De Pondicherry and Natya Vizhas, and many other programmes.
Her students have won many National and International Awards. In particular, four of her students; Miss Niraimathy, Miss Ramya, Master M. Ilaval and Miss Desh M, have been selected for the Central Government of India's Human Resource Ministry's National Best Child Awards.
Some other notable awards and honours that Amma has received are:
OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZEN AWARD 2003 by the Pondicherry JAYCEE
ACHIEVER'S AWARD in 2003 for her significant contribution to the cultural and spiritual life of Indian Society from the Vinayagar Chathurthi Festival committee, Pondicherry in September 2003.
YOGACHARYA BANGALORE SUNDARAM GOLD MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN YOGA from Asana Andiappan College of Yoga and Research Centre, Chennai at Anna University in December 2003 for her noble contribution, distinguished service and outstanding merits of Yoga.
The prestigious FELLOWSHIP of the INDIAN ACADEMY OF YOGA (BHU).
The PUDUVAI SHAKTHI AWARD from the Women's Task Force in Pondicherry.
Honoured by the Dept of Women and Child Welfare, Govt of Pondicherry as one of the Women who have brought name and fame to Pondicherry.
