Archive · 27 Oct 2025
Mallika Sarabhai on Art, Activism, and Social Change
Mallika Sarabhai is an artist who uses dance, theatre, and poetry to talk about important issues.
She believes art should be interesting, not boring or preachy.
She makes sure her performances keep the audience engaged while also sharing her views.
She is passionate about women's rights and uses her art to talk about challenges women face today.
Sarabhai’s parents inspired her to make the world a better place.
She wants to create good people through art, emphasizing the importance of values like empathy and awareness through Bharatanatyam.
Sarabhai encourages using creativity for good, emphasizing art should create sunlight, not poison.
Mallika Sarabhai's interdisciplinary work blends theatre, dance, and poetry.
Sarabhai believes art must engage the audience without being didactic.
She has redefined the portrayal of women in classical dance.
Sarabhai uses art to address contemporary realities and promote social change.
Her goal is to cultivate good human beings through dance and art.
- Who
- Mallika Sarabhai, a dancer, actor, writer, and social activist
- What
- Discusses her interdisciplinary show, 'Meanwhile Elsewhere,' and the role of art in social change.
- When
- Ahead of her show at the NCPA Nakshatra Festival.
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- To explore the evolving language of art and its role in inspiring change.
Artistic Expression
Social Impact
Didacticism vs. Engagement
Artistic Expression
Focus on using art to provoke thought and inspire reflection.
Social Impact
Art should captivate and entertain audiences without being overly preachy.
Tradition vs. Innovation
Artistic Expression
Preserving classical art forms.
Social Impact
Using traditional art to convey contemporary themes and social issues.
- Occupation
- Dancer, actor, writer, social activist
- Show Title
- 'Meanwhile Elsewhere'
- Venue
- NCPA Nakshatra Festival, Mumbai
- Art Form
- Interdisciplinary (theatre, dance, poetry)
- Dance Style
- Bharatanatyam
- Current Goal
- Create good human beings through art