As India mourns Mrinalini Sarabhai's death, PM remains silent
January 22, 2016  13:26
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President Pranab Mukherjee joins Sonia Gandhi, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Bharatnatyam exponent Geeta Chandran to condole the death of noted classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, calling her an epitome of "grace" and "beauty".

Sarabhai's death has been condoled by leaders across party lines, with the solitary exception of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Popularly known as "Amma", Sarabhai passed away in Ahmedabad due to age-related problems at the age of 97.

This is what President Mukherjee's condolence message read to Mrinalini Sarabhai's daughter, Mallika read: I am sad to learn about the passing away of your mother, Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai.

Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai left an indelible mark on Indian classical dance as an eminent danseuse, choreographer and teacher.

Educated at Shantiniketan and a disciple of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai was trained in Bharatnatyam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattom. Dance was her life, passion and existence. 

Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai believed that the power of dance, music, arts and literature must be experienced by the common man.  She was a poet and author as well as a dedicated activist who fought against dowry deaths, suppression of women and child labour.

Smt. Sarabhai exemplified the fighting spirit of her mother and freedom fighter, Ammu Swaminathan and her sister Lakshmi Sehgal, who was Commander-in-Chief of Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army. 

She was also of inspiration and support to her husband, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space programme.

In recognition of her invaluable contribution to Indian classical dance and arts, Smt. Sarabhai was honoured by the nation with several awards, including Padma Shri in 1965 and Padma Bhushan in 1992.  Her death leaves a void in the world of creativity and performing arts which will be difficult to fill. Her tireless efforts to spread Indian classical dance around the world will be always remembered.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey the same to the rest of your family members.  I pray to the Almighty to give you and other members of the family strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.

Sonia Gandhi in a letter to her daughter Mallika Sarabhai, who wrote: I am sad to learn of the passing away of your beloved mother.

Throughout her long, active and fulfilled life, Mrinalini Sarabhai contributed richly to our cultural landscape, through the talent and passion that imbued everything she did.

She was an inspiring teacher to thousands of students at her Darpana Academy, and an exceptionally gifted and productive dancer, choreographer and writer, read the letter.

Mrinalini ji was, moreover, a staunch nationalist and patriot, who courageously defended our pluralistic culture and secular values. In this, she was upholding the proud tradition of her own parents who were such brave freedom fighters.

At this time of grief, you must draw solace from the fact that your mother must have taken great pride in the courage and conviction with which you yourself have always acted and spoken out against prejudice and discrimination, and that you carry forward her wonderful legacy as a dancer as well.

We will always honour Mrinalini Sarabhais memory, just as we continue to honour the memory of your brilliant father, Vikram Sarabhai.


Modi's who excels in using social media to express his views, or doling out congratulatory messages or condoling deaths of eminent personalities has chosen to remain silent.

Mrinalini Sarabhai had taken a stand against the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat in the immediate aftermath of the 2002 riots and against what she felt the government was doing wrong.

Her daughter Mallika Sarabhai has been a vocal critic of Modi even when he was Gujarat CM. She had joined the AAP briefly and has recounted on several instances her experience of being falsely accused and hounded by the Modi government. At a lecture in 2013 in Jaipur,  she had said, "I had to hide under a carpet in the boot of a vehicle and cross over to Udaipur in Rajasthan to escape arrest. From there, I had to wear disguises and move from one city to another for 18 days till I could apply for bail.

As early as 2003, Mallika Sarabhai had been at the forefront of an appeal in the Supreme Court demanding compensation and justice for the victims of the Gujarat carnage of 2002. 

Modi clearly doesn't forget.
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