Varathambikai Rukmini Rasiah

Varathambikai Rukmini was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka on 22nd of January 1918 as the first born to her loving parents Weluppilai Muthuveluppillai CUMARASAMY and Kanagambikai AMBALAVANAPILLAI. She was the apple of the eye of her family and was soon followed by twelve more adoring siblings, most of whom looked up to her, their eldest sister, as another loving mother.

She excelled in education up to grade 10 and learned violin at school. Her education was cut short by her marriage at a very young age as per existing local custom of that era. She went on to have eight delightful children of her own in total, as well as twenty one grandchildren, twenty two great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren.

Early marriage and motherhood did not blunt her quest for learning and excelling. She continued to excel in tennis by partnering her beloved husband and becoming mixed doubles champion of Northern Province, Sri Lanka many times. She was also involved in local religious and charity work and became the honorary secretary of The Divine Life Society (DLS). Additionally, she expanded her work by forming the Fine Arts Society (FAS) as a branch of the DLS and became its founder vice-president. In her mid forties, she went back to Polytechnic school to learn shorthand & typing to better manage both these organizations.

In 1983, Rukmini left Sri Lanka after the communal riots and emigrated to USA via UK and settled at the Yogaville Ashram in 1984 under the guidance of her spiritual Gurudev – Yogiraj, Sri Swami Satchidananda Saraswathi. Here, she set up and ran the Fine Arts Society (FAS) of Yogaville and served as president from 1984. Under her able and remarkably productive guidance, the FAS flourished and continued to produce Bharatha Naytam programs including graduations and educational Dance Camps. She arranged consecutive Natya Adhyayana Gurukulams for 25 years and several Educational Camps for teachers.

Whilst in the Ashram, she was a mother figure, a wise counsel, and a source of inspiration to many through her unwavering devotion to her spiritual Guru. Her selfless service to humanity, tireless work ethic, detailed reading of all issues relating to any matter and her extraordinary accomplishments even through her later years were shining examples to many.

‘Amma Rasiah’ as she is fondly referred to, was a pillar of strength and sage counsel to many, and leaves behind a legacy of enduring love, selfless service, and boundless joy.

A visitation for Amma Rasiah (Varathambikai Rukmini RASIAH) will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229. The family invites friends to join them in remembering Amma RASIAH at a Prayer Service scheduled for 10 AM on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Woody Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Rasiah family may be shared at:

www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com