Google celebrates 100th birthday of Mrinalini Sarabhai with a doodle

Mrinalini Vikram Sarabhai, the synonym of Indian classical dance, turned 100-year on Friday. The search engine giant Google celebrates her 100th birthday with an impressive doodle.

Born in Kerala's Palakkad to lawyer-social activist couple S Swaminathan and A V Ammukutty on May 11, 1918, she pursued her education in Switzerland and Shantiniketan. Her elder sister Lakshmi was commander-in-chief of Rani Lakshmi Regiment of Indian National Army of Subhash Chandra Bose during World War II.

During her studies, Mrinalini learnt the classical dances of both West and Indian. She came back to India after a short course in the USA and got trained herself in the south Indian dance Bharatanatyam. Guru Thakazhi Kochu Kurup trained Ms Sarabhai the Kathakali.

In 1942, she married the scientist Vikram Sarabhai, who is known as the father of Indian Space Missions. They have a son Kartikeya and daughter Mallika, who is continuing the path of her mother - dance and performance. 

Mrinalini founded Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad in 1948. She performed in more than 300 dance dramas. The Indian government has honoured her by conferring the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan in the year 1965 and 1992 respectively. 

The iconic classical dancer passed away on 20th January 2016 in Ahmedabad.

Google doodle

Sudeepti Tucker, an illustrator from Delhi, designed the doodle for Google. The doodle "depicts Sarabhai with her signature parasol, standing proudly in the auditorium of that same academy where her students are dancing on stage," says Google.

Google calls the dancer as "One of the few classical dancers trained in more than one form."