BKS Iyengar, legendary yoga guru, passes away at 96

BKS, as he was commonly known, is credited with the popularisation of yoga worldwide

Renowned Yoga guru B K S Iyengar, 96, died at a Pune hospital at 3.15 a.m. this morning. He was suffering from kidney failure and had been undergoing dialysis.

 

Born on December 14, 1918 at Bellur village in Kolar district in Karnataka, Iyengar is credited with popularising yoga across the country as well as abroad.

His yoga style is widely practised and aternatively referred to as the 'BKS School' or the 'Iyengar School'. 

 

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, or BKS as he was popularly referred to as, was honoured with several awards and accolades including Padmashri, Padmabhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Kannada Rajyotsava award among others.

 

The 96-year-old Iyengar had been ailing for some time and was admitted to a private hospital in Pune August 12 and was put on dialysis after his condition worsened two days ago.

 

He had been admitted after complaints of acute breathlessness and palpitation, Dr Deepali Mande, who attended on him, said.

 

"He did not want to be admitted to hospital even though he was unwell at home for almost three weeks. Iyengar had a cardiac (ailment) history. His condition subsequently worsened leading to renal failure after which he was put on dialysis," she said.

 

During the last phase, Iyengar was feeling drowsy, she said, adding that "He was not keen on having any food."

 

Iyengar was considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and had written many books on yoga practice and philosophy including Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He is survived by a son and a daughter. 

(WIth inputs from agencies)