Considered to be one of the most iconic figures to have graced and enhanced the history of Indian classical dance, Mrinalini Sarabhai has a legacy that is nothing less than stunning. Know more about Mrinalini Sarabhai and her training in dance forms such as Kathakali and Bharatnatyam, Sarabhai also received her initial training from the master of Indian arts, Rabindranath Tagore himself, at Shantiniketan
But Mrinalini Sarabhai’s stature, contribution, and legacy have gone beyond proving her mastery over various Indian classical dance forms. Her name is associated with the promotion of Indian classical dance forms on the international stage as well as relentless activism and social work towards women’s empowerment in India. She would often use the platform of dance to exhibit various forms of injustices meted out to Indian women on the world stage to raise awareness and lend voice to unheard and unfelt experiences of women that captured hearts and souls worldwide.
Mrinalini and her passion for dance
On the 11th of May 1918, in a colonised Kerala, Mrinalini Sarabhai was born to a socially well-recognised family. Her parents were both notable figures in their rights, her mother being a prominent social worker who had at one point held an office in the Parliament, and her father being the principal of the Madras Law College and importantly, a successful lawyer.
With a strong family background such as hers, there is no doubt that her upbringing from her cognitive years witnessed an environment of intellect and social awareness that naturally helped her attune to the pain of others. Mrinalini’s mother, who was an active, noteworthy, and well-respected social worker, planted in her the seed of awareness and fellow feeling so that she could empathise and construe the experiences and sufferings that the underprivileged and marginalised people faced in the country. The culture and influence at home nurtured and evoked deeper thoughts in her that encouraged a knack to speak for the voiceless and she willed to do something to ease their suffering.
Sarabhai’s interest in classical dance
Her interest in dance materialised at an early age as she began taking dance lessons from several instructors to master different forms of it. However, she found the coveted mentorship of Rabindranath Tagore, the founding father of modernism in Indian literature, arts, and life in general. Under his tutelage at Shantiniketan, Sarabhai realised her true calling and started pursuing dance with unparalleled fervour. She even went to the US to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Most of her dance training comes from Meenakshisundaram Pillai, a noted figure in the history of Indian classical dance. Under Meenakshi, Sarabhai learnt most of the dance forms that she later incorporated into her style, including Kathakali, Mohiniattam, and Bharatnatyam.
Contributions to women’s rights and issues in India
It’s no secret that Mrinalini Sarabhai was a strong-headed feminist. She was one of the strong supporters of women’s rights in India, and she used her art to further the cause. Here are some aspects of her life that prove why Mrinalini Sarabhai is considered a strong-headed feminist:
She spoke against dowry-driven deaths
One of the causes that she had held close to her heart and carried out protests around was dowry-led deaths in the early 1900s. Somebody who always saw the best in people, Mrinalini was shocked to learn that thousands of women all over the country suffered the same fate because of the barbaric custom. However, she spoke out against dowry and the painful and gruesome tragedies it resulted in not through vociferous outbursts or angry protests, but via the medium, she knew the best: her art. In those performances, she would often leave the most conservative Indian minds revisiting the brutal custom as she incorporated themes depicting the diverse experiences of Indian women, including their untold and unaddressed sufferings.
She believed in giving an equal chance
Even with her astounding success, or indeed perhaps because of it, Mrinalini Sarabhai was quick to realise that women had no clear platform where they could express themselves and they did not have the opportunity to immerse and invest in their passion. That, along with a strong desire to establish her dance school to nurture talent, led to her founding the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad.
It was here that Mrinalini Sarabhai could finally realise her dream of creating a platform where women from all backgrounds in India could come together and learn Indian classical dance. She believed that the only way to bring about change in society was by empowering women, which was why she made sure that all students at Darpana Academy were given equal opportunities to study dance. Things began to evolve successfully for her as her school, Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, found recognition quickly. In a few years, Mrinalini’s dance school was known worldwide and she and her team began travelling around the world to stage Indian classical dance renditions.
The environmentalist in her
Mrinalini was also an environmentalist. Truly concerned about the growing pollution that impacted the green cover through the agency of industrialisation and lack of awareness regarding environmental issues, she started to build public consciousness around the matter. One of her successful projects was when she weaved powerful stories about how India’s most sacred river, the Ganges, was being polluted every day and how important it was to converse with the waterbody. Mrinalini’s performances were also meant to generate awareness as she spoke in support of the brilliance of Indian handicrafts. She wanted to promote its value beyond borders and elevate the industry to a position that it rightfully deserved. She would often use these handicrafts designed by indigenous tribes to showcase the labour of love through her performances.
Final takeaway
It is impossible to define Mrinalini Sarabhai in a few words. Her impact on Indian classical dance and her contribution towards society and future generations is tremendous to just summarise in a few words. This doyen of Indian classical dance, a true-blue feminist, and a staunch environmentalist and social activist, Mrinalini Sarabhai, is a role model for generations of women to come beyond this country. She has made us believe that we can bring our dreams to fruition.
