Mumbai:  Legendary classical danseuse Mrinalini Sarabhai passed away this morning at Ahmedabad. She was 97. She was admitted in local hospital after some age related health complications. Her last rites will be conducted at her native village of Pethapur in Gandhinagar district. Mrinalini Sarabhai was the widow of noted space scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and mother of famous danseuse and social activist Mallika Sarabhai.

A Recipient of Padma Bhushan Award, Mrinalini Sarabhai was born on 11th May 1918 in Kerala, Mrinalini Sarabhai daughter of former Member of Parliment Ammu Swaminathan was also a founder of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad which is now being looked after by her daughter Mallika Sarabhai. She spent her childhood in Switzerland, where, she received her first lessons in the Dalcroze School, a Western technique of dance movements.

She took her education at Shantiniketan. She then went to the United States for some time, where she enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. On returning to India, she began her training in the south Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam under Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai and the classical dance-drama of Kathakali under the legendary Guru Thakazhi Kunchu Kurup. Late Mrinalini married Dr. Vikram Sarabhai who is considered to be the Father of the Indian Space Program in 1942.