The LDF Government in Kerala has appointed renowned classical dancer and social activist Mallika Sarabhai as the Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam (Deemed to be) University for Art and Culture. The Department of Cultural Affairs of the state government issued an order in this regard late Tuesday evening.

The state government had recently amended the Memorandum of Association of Kalamandalam to facilitate the appointment of an “eminent person in the field of art and culture” to the post of Chancellor.

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Earlier, the Governor was the Chancellor of the institution, which comes under the state’s Culture Department. The Governor’s removal as the Chancellor of Kalamandalam came in the wake of the tussle between the Governor and the LDF government.

Mallika is the daughter of renowned physicist-astronomer Vikram Sarabhai and dancer-choreographer Mrinalini Sarabhai. A leading exponent of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dance forms, Mallika is also a reputed actress.

Starting her dance career at a young age, Mallika came into the limelight playing the role of Droupadi in an adaptation of Peter Brooks’ acclaimed play The Mahabharata, which paved the way for her entry into the parallel cinema of the 1970s and 80s.

As a social activist, she has been at the forefront to raise her voice against communalism and oppression. She also worked with local governments and the UN agencies to establish a number of educational projects on environmental problems, community health initiatives and women’s issues. She also wrote a number of scripts for film, stage and television productions.