Yoga legend BKS Iyengar dies at 96

BKS Iyengar died at the age of 96 on Wednesday. (Source: Express photo by Arul Horizon)

Seen here is BKS Iyengar's body. (Source: Express photo by Arul Horizon)

Relatives mourn at the funeral of renowned Yoga exponent BKS Iyengar on Wednesday in Pune. (Source: Express photo by Arul Horizon)

Padma Vibhushan Yoga exponent BKS Iyenger at the Yogakshema centre in New Delhi. (Source: Express photo)

A day after being awarded the second highest civilian award - Padma Vibhushan, Yoga exponent BKS Iyenger goes about his yoga exercise at the Yogakshema centre in New Delhi. (Source: Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Padma Vibhushan Yoga exponent BKS Iyenger at the Yogakshema centre in New Delhi (Source: Express photo)

World-renowned yoga guru and founder of the Iyengar School of Yoga B K S Iyengar died early Wednesday morning following illness. He was 96. Iyengar had been ailing since some time and was admitted to a private hospital a week back. He was put on dialysis after his condition worsened two days back. He breathed his last at 3.15 AM. (Source: Express Archive Photo)

Iyengar, honoured with Padma Vibhushan, is survived by a son and daughter.

In this file photo, Iyengar at Indian Express Idea Exchange. (Source: Express Archive)

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'.

File Photo: Former union minister Veerappa Moily greets BKS Iyengar, one of the foremost yoga teachers in the country during public function at Kannada Sangha's Kaveri Group of Institutes in Eranadwane area. (Source: Express Photo by Pavan Khengre)

An eminent exponent of yoga as enunciated in the ancient "Patanjali Sutra", Iyengar was credited with spreading practice of yoga to about 60 countries which he visited carrying message from the east to the west.

File Photo: Former union minister Veerappa Moily greets BKS Iyengar, one of the foremost yoga teachers in the country during public function at Kannada Sangha's Kaveri Group of Institutes in Eranadwane area. (Source: Express Archive Photo by Pavan Khengre)

The yogacharya, who was active till the end through his Iyengar Institute of Yoga, had a large following of disciples within and outside the country. Hailed as a "modern rishi", Iyengar set up over 100 branches of his institute in different countries. (Source: Express Archive Photo)

Born in 1918 at Bellur in Karnataka, he came to Pune in Maharashtra in 1937 and after spreading knowledge of yoga, set up his own 'Yogavidya' institute in 1975 which later expanded in various branches across the country and abroad. (Source: Express Archive Photo)

The senior-most internationally acclaimed yoga guru had taught 'yogasanas' to many prominent personalities along with commoners. (Source: Express Archive Photo)

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. (Source: Express Archive Photo)