Deaths elsewhere

Rosella Hightower, 88, a prominent American Indian ballet dancer who rose to an illustrious career in the 1940s and 1950s and later started one of the premier dance schools in Europe, died at her home in Cannes, France.

She was one of five Oklahoma-born American Indians to emerge as world-class ballerinas. The others were Yvonne Chouteau, Moscelyne Larkin and the sisters Maria and Marjorie Tallchief. Their remarkable accomplishments showcased American dance and talent to the world when Russian stars still dominated that scene.

Hightower was often praised for her virtuosity, versatility and mastery of a varied repertoire. She performed with ballet's most celebrated partners, including Eric Bruhn and Andre Eglevsky.

B.R. Chopra, 94, a leading Indian filmmaker who found rare success creating both hit Bollywood musicals and dramatic, socially conscious films, died Wednesday at his home in Mumbai.

An architect of the golden era of Hindi cinema, Chopra had a reputation for making quality movies with socially relevant themes while still catering to popular tastes.

Perhaps his most accomplished and well-known film was the 1957 musical "Naya Daur."

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