The art community mourned deeply on January 21, 2016, as Mrinalini Sarabhai, aged 97, danced into eternity. Renowned choreographer and dancer, her every gesture wove intricate stories, cementing her as India’s cultural icon whose influence spans decades.
From her 1918 birth in Kerala to a Swiss childhood mastering Western rhythms, Mrinalini’s path was destined for greatness. Tagore’s Shantiniketan enriched her soul, followed by expert tutelage in Bharatanatyam from Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai and Kathakali from masters like Thakazhi Kunchu Kurup.
Married to Vikram Sarabhai, father of India’s space odyssey, she inherited a legacy of patriotism—mother Ammu a satyagrahi, sister Lakshmi leading Netaji’s women warriors. This dynamic backdrop propelled her artistic evolution.
Darpana Academy, her Ahmedabad brainchild, trained 18,000-plus in diverse disciplines: dance, theater, puppetry, instruments, and self-defense. Viewing art as life’s core, she crafted holistic programs that empowered generations.
Her Delhi Kathakali premiere enthralled Nehru himself. ‘Manushya’ broke new ground in performing arts. A prolific writer and poet, her autobiography captures unyielding passion. Socially, she spearheaded reforms, chairing key foundations and voicing dissent against inequities through art.
Gandhian trustee and corporate leader, Mrinalini fused activism with aesthetics. Her daughter Mallika perpetuates this flame. Awards like Padma Shri and Bhushan affirm her stature. In every mudra, Mrinalini narrated life’s epic, a beacon for future dancers.