New Delhi: Today is the 97th birth anniversary of yoga guru BKS Iyengar, considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world.
Iyengar was not just a yogacharya, but he was a 'life guru' who always imparted security and comfort to his disciples with a smiling face.
Iyengar was an eminent exponent of yoga as enunciated in the ancient 'Patanjali Sutra'.
He had written many books on yoga practice and philosophy including 'Light on Yoga', 'Light on Pranayama' and 'Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'.
Iyengar was also credited with spreading practice of yoga to about 60 countries which he visited carrying message from the east to the west.
Born in 1918 at Bellur in Karnataka, the yogacharya came to Pune in 1937.
After spreading knowledge of yoga, Iyengar, hailed as a 'modern rishi', set up his own 'Yogavidya' institute in 1975 which later expanded in various branches across the country and abroad.
He had a large following of disciples within and outside the country. He was active till the end through his Iyengar Institute of Yoga.
The senior-most internationally acclaimed yoga guru had taught 'yogasanas' to many prominent personalities along with commoners. Among those whom he introduced to yoga were eminent socialist leader Jayprakash Narayan, famous philosopher J Krishnamurti and world renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin.
He also authored 14 books on yoga techniques, what became known as 'Iyengar Yoga'. His books were translated into 17 languages.
Always full of life and energy that betrayed his advanced age, Iyengar evinced keen interest in art, dance and theatre as also in cricket.
