Mrinalini Sarabhai’s Artistic Journey: From Bharatanatyam To Kathakali And Beyond

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Dance is a form of art that can be used to tell powerful stories. It is more than just a physical movement based on the music. It has myriad forms and is a way to showcase human emotions, present grand tales, and mirror the experiences of life. Indian classical dances are no different, with widely elaborate moves, elegant gestures and dramatic expression, Indian classical dance forms paint grand stories and represent societies. The artists who have contributed to uplift and popularize this form of art have been immortalized by their audiences.

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Among the Indian classical dancers, Mrinalini Sarabhai is a legendary figure. In her almost century-long artistic journey, she explored multiple dance forms, ranging from Bharatnatyam and Kathakali to Kuchipudi and Manipuri. Her decision and venture to revive and revitalize these cultural art forms contributed to creating a unique legacy. In the world of dance and art, her name is taken with deep reverence and respect that is unmatched by any other artist.

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Introduction to Mrinalini Sarabhai

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Born on May 11, 1918, in Kerala, Mrinalini Sarabhai was destined to make a significant impact in the field of dance. She was born as the daughter of a highly affluent and educated family in Madras in then-colonial India. Through the influence of various people in her life, she was exposed to the rich culture of India, which acted as the foundation for her passion for the art of dance and set her on the artistic journey that lasted for the rest of her life.

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Bharatanatyam: The Foundation

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Let’s know more about Mrinalini Sarabhai. She began her journey of art with Bharatanatyam, which is one of the most iconic dance forms in South India. From a very young age, she worked tirelessly and honed her skills under the guidance of the legendary guru Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai. Her dedication and commitment to this art form were evident in her performances. She would seamlessly blend the complex footwork and graceful expressions with the grand tales of rich Indian mythology.

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Kathakali: A Pioneering Effort

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What set Mrinalini Sarabhai apart was her bold decision to explore Kathakali, a traditional dance-drama from Kerala, typically performed by male artists. She broke down the gender norms and preconceived notions to become the first woman to learn this art when she decided to learn kathakali under the tutelage of the legendary Guru Thakazhi Kunchu Kurup. Her immense success in this foray is proof that art has no boundaries.

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Diverse Repertoire

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Mrinalini Sarabhai’s artistic journey was not limited to classical dance alone. She was always eager to learn new art styles and venture into new dance forms. Apart from Bharatnatyam and Kathakali, she was also an accomplished dancer in the Kuchipudi and Manipuri dance forms. After this, she also showed interest in learning modern and contemporary dance forms. As an artist, she found beauty in every form of dance and embraced them wholeheartedly. Her experiments with these styles expanded the horizons of Indian dance at large and threw a spotlight on it by taking it onto the international stage.

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Darpana Academy of Performing Arts: A Legacy

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In 1949, Mrinalini Sarabhai founded the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. With the help and support of her husband, Vikram Sarabhai, she established one of the first dance academies in the country. Although the academy faced several challenges during its initial days, this institution went on to become a spearheading academy for nurturing young talents and promoting various forms of Indian dance, including Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, and more. Her dedication to teaching and preserving these art forms resulted in the production of some of the finest artists in the world and encouraged aspiring artists for generations to come.

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Awards and Recognitions

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Mrinalini Sarabhai’s contributions to the world of dance earned her numerous accolades. She was decorated with awards like Padma Shri and Padma in in years 1965 and 1992 respectively, which are the third and fourth highest award for civilians in India. She also received the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1988 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship in 1994 for her contribution to Indian classical dance. Her work was not only recognized in India but also appreciated on the international stage, as she was nominated to the executive committee of the International Dance Council, Paris, in 1990. The Mexican government also presented her with a gold medal for her choreography for the Ballet Folklorico of Mexico.

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Conclusion

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Mrinalini Sarabhai had a very inspiring artistic journey. From Bharatanatyam to Kathakali, she fearlessly pursued her passion and was also successful in exploring modern contemporary dance. This showcased her innovative spirit, unwavering dedication to the arts, and willingness to embrace the change brought by the passage of time. She broke down gender barriers, presented social problems, and spearheaded the change in the art industry. Her legacy is an inspiration to millions of aspiring dancers and stands as a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and make a lasting impact on society.

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