Who is Mallika Sarabhai? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Indian Celebrities Born In May

Age: 70 Years, 70 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Bipin Shah

father: Vikram Sarabhai

mother: Mrinalini Sarabhai

siblings: Kartikeya Sarabhai

children: Revanta and Anahita

Classical Dancers Indian Women

Height: 5'6" (168 cm), 5'6" Females

City: Ahmedabad, India

More Facts

education: MBA from IIM Ahmedabad

awards: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2000)
Padma Bhushan (2010)

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1

What is Mallika Sarabhai known for?

Mallika Sarabhai is known for being an accomplished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and activist.
2

Which dance forms is Mallika Sarabhai proficient in?

Mallika Sarabhai is proficient in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dance forms.
3

What social issues does Mallika Sarabhai address through her work?

Mallika Sarabhai addresses issues such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, and human rights through her performances and activism.
4

Has Mallika Sarabhai been involved in any political activities?

Yes, Mallika Sarabhai has been actively involved in various political movements and has used her platform to advocate for social and political change.
5

How has Mallika Sarabhai contributed to the field of Indian classical dance?

Mallika Sarabhai has played a significant role in popularizing Indian classical dance forms on a global scale through her innovative choreography and performances.

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Childhood & Early Life

She was born on 9 May 1954 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, to the renowned space scientist, Vikram Sarabhai and his wife, the classical dancer, Mrinalini Sarabhai. Both her parents were very famous and accomplished professionals in their respective fields.

From a young age she was exposed to different cultural and artistic elements. Being the daughter of a physicist, she was raised in an intellectually stimulating environment. Her mother ensured that she learned different dance forms from a young age and thus Mallika was trained in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dance forms.

She earned a B.A. in economics with honours from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, in 1972. Then she enrolled at the Indian Institute of Management—one of the most prestigious management institutions in India—from where she completed her M.B.A. in 1974. She received her Doctorate in Organizational Behaviour from the Gujarat University in 1976.

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Career

She began performing while still in her teens and started acting in parallel cinema when she was 15. She portrayed the role of Draupadi in British director Peter Brook’s ‘The Mahabharata’ for five years. Making her debut in the French version, she reprised this role in the English version too, performing all over France, America Australia, Japan, and Scotland.

She appeared in many Hindi and Gujarati language films and won acclaim for her acting skills. Some of her most popular film roles include the ones she played in ‘Mutthi Bhar Chawal’ (1975), ‘Himalay Se Ooncha’ (1975), ‘Mena Gurjari’ (1975), ‘Maniyaro’ (1980), and ‘Katha’ (1983). Along with working in films she also became active in television.

She once again collaborated with Peter Brook with whom she had performed in the initial years of her career and reprised the role of Draupadi in his film version of the epic ‘The Mahabharata’.

As a dancer and choreographer she worked closely with her mother Mrinalini to manage the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts located at Ahmedabad. She also continued performing as a soloist and created both classical and contemporary works.

An independent minded woman with a strong social conscience, she was an active champion for education and woman’s empowerment. In 1989, she created her solo theatrical work, ‘Shakti: The Power of Women’ which was critically appreciated for its impactful presentation.

Well trained in classical dance forms, she began exploring contemporary dance forms in earnest during the 1990s, and developed her own unique choreography styles. She went on to create many productions that dealt with social issues and advocated change. She has choreographed short dance pieces, entire evenings of work, dance-theatre and total performance work

Her works have been presented all over India and in several other countries. She has performed with companies such as the National Dance Institute and Battery Dance Company in New York, Pan Project in London and as part of festivals in Perth, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Israel, and Egypt.

She is also a prolific writer who has written columns on issues of human rights, women empowerment, caste, law and order, corruption, and other topics of social relevance.

She co-directed ‘Women with Broken Wings’ along with film maker Yadavan Chandran and Swiss pianist Elizabeth Sombert in 2012, as an ode to the female victims of violence all over the world.

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Awards & Achievements

She won the Best Film Actress Award for, ‘Mena Gurjari’, a Gujarati film, by the Government of Gujarat in 1975.

She was bestowed with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Creative Dance, in 2000.

The Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC) named her the Woman of the Year in 2003.

She became the proud recipient of the Theatre Pasta Theatre Award in 2007.

She was honored by the Government of India with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, in 2010 in recognition of her invaluable contribution to the arts.

Personal Life & Legacy

She met Bipin Shah while she was in college and developed a relationship with him. The couple lived together for a few years before getting married. They were blessed with two children. The marriage, however, was short-lived and ended in a divorce.

Facts About Mallika Sarabhai

Mallika Sarabhai is a trained classical dancer in two Indian classical dance forms, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, and has performed on prestigious stages around the world.

Apart from her dance career, Mallika Sarabhai is also a social activist and has been actively involved in advocating for women's rights, environmental conservation, and social justice issues.

Mallika Sarabhai is a published author and has written several books on topics ranging from dance to societal issues, showcasing her diverse interests and talents.

She has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the arts and social activism, highlighting her impact and influence in various spheres.

Mallika Sarabhai is known for her fearless and outspoken nature, using her platform to voice her opinions on important issues and inspire change in society.

Mallika Sarabhai Biography

You wanted to know

What is Mallika Sarabhai known for?

Which dance forms is Mallika Sarabhai proficient in?

What social issues does Mallika Sarabhai address through her work?

Has Mallika Sarabhai been involved in any political activities?

How has Mallika Sarabhai contributed to the field of Indian classical dance?