On Friday, Google doodle honoured the 100th birth anniversary of radiant Indian classical dancer, Mrinalini Sarabhai. Born in Kerala to S. Swaminathan and A.V. Ammukutty, she was professionally trained in Bharatnatyam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam. The strength of her performances were in the way she told stories through dance. She was honoured with several prestigious awards like the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 1965.
She was first introduced to the art form during her early school years in Switzerland where she came in touch with the technique known as Dalcroze Eurythmics. This unique approach blends music, movement and improvisation. She moved to India and realised her passion for dance at Shantiniketan under the guidance of Rabindranath Tagore.
Along with her husband Vikram Sarabhai, she set up the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad. The institute believes in the universality of art and plays a crucial role in connecting society with art and culture. Being a pioneer in the field of dance, she choreographed around 300 dance dramas which had powerful stories backed up with elegant routines. She was also a writer, poet and playwright who mainly wrote for children.
She was a spirited soul who didn’t let age hold her back from her passion for dance. She breathed her last on January 21, 2016, but her legacy still continues through her establishments.