Mumbai, May 11: Mrinalini Sarabhai, the classical Indian dancer, choreographer and legendary teacher would have celebrated her 100th birthday today. The founder of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, a leading institute for imparting training in dance, drama, music and puppetry, received innumerable awards and accolades in her lifetime. She was a teacher to over 18,000 students in Bharatnatyam and Kathakali- the two forms of Indian classical dancing. Google has celebrated the life of Mrinalini Sarabhai by dedicating a doodle to her on her 100 birth anniversary.

The school's website mentions the danseuses in glowing words and deservingly so, "Mrinalini Sarabhai, renowned dancer and choreographer and founder of Darpana, is single-handedly responsible for taking classical Indian dance beyond the shores of India and making Bharatnatyam a dance form that is revered and respected throughout the world."

Mrinalini Sarabhai was born on 11 May, 1918 in Chennai, and began dancing at a very young age. She was guided under and inspired by none other than Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. The dance dramas created by Tagore brought out the natural talent in her to choreograph and showed her immense range and innovation. She also studied in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and returned to India to not only establish a career in dance but also explore the rich Indian forms such as Bharatanayam and Kathakali.

It was in 1942 that she married Vikram Sarabhai, a prominent scientist and visionary, founder of the Indian Space Program and co-founder of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad (IIMA) and one of the greatest minds of India. It was a true marriage of art and intellect. Vikram Sarabhai supported Mrinalini Sarabhai in her ambition for attaining perfection in dance even when the society at that time did not consider dance a "respectable" career for women.

In 1949, she danced in Paris at the Palais de Chaillot and was loved by the critics who praised her lavishly. She then received invitations from world over to perform at various prestigious venues. Mrinalini Sarabhai used this opportunity to take classical Indian dance to corners of the world and got it the recognition it deserved. She also promoted a cultural unity and closeness among various cultures. This was no small feat in the post war years which was followed by the Cold War Era. The Darpana Academy of Performing Arts mentions an anecdote, which speaks volumes about her role in developing a positive image for Indians abroad, "At one of the embassies she visited during her tour of South America in 1951, a dignitary told her, “You have done in two hours what no embassy is able to do in two years – made India beautiful to these people.”

Google dedicated a doodle to the legendary artist and wrote in the doodle description that, "Today’s Doodle celebrates Indian classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, who quickly developed her own technique, spirit, and strength by training at a young age, studying both the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam and the classical dance-drama of Kathakali." Her daughter Mallika Sarabhai is carrying forward her legacy. Legends live forever, and so will Mrinalini Sarabhai. Happy birthday to the dancing genius who through her generosity introduced many to the wonders of Indian classical dance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 11, 2018 01:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).