Noted Kathakali Dancer & Padma Shri Recipient Milena Salvini Of France Passes Away, PM Modi Expresses Grief

Milena Salvini ran ‘Centre Mandapa’, a school for Indian dance forms, in Paris. The Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on her in 2019 for her contribution in the field of performing arts.

Milena Salvini | Photo: Twitter/@IndiaembFrance

New Delhi: Noted Kathakali dancer Milena Salvini of France passed away on Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in France said in a tweet. Italian-born Salvini was a regular visitor to India, especially Kerala where she learnt Kathakali, and ran ‘Centre Mandapa’, a school for Indian dance forms, in Paris.

The Government of India conferred the Padma Shri award on Salvini in 2019 for her contribution in the field of performing arts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday offered condolances on her demise, and said she would be remembered for her passion towards Indian culture.

"Ms. Milena Salvini will be remembered for her passion towards Indian culture. She made numerous efforts to further popularise Kathakali across France," PM Modi tweeted.

"I am anguished by her passing away. My thoughts are with her family and well-wishers. May her soul rest in peace," the prime minister said. 

Ms. Milena Salvini will be remembered for her passion towards Indian culture. She made numerous efforts to further popularise Kathakali across France. I am anguished by her passing away. My thoughts are with her family and well-wishers. May her soul rest in peace.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2022

The Indian Embassy in France tweeted: "One of the finest exponent of Kathakali, Padmashri Ms. Milena Salvini passed away yesterday; As a founder director of "Centre Mandapa" in Paris, she promoted & taught Indian dance & music for more than four decades in France. Deepest condolences."

One of the finest exponent of Kathakali, Padmashri Ms. Milena Salvini passed away yesterday; As a founder director of "Centre Mandapa" in Paris, she promoted & taught Indian dance & music for more than four decades in France. Deepest condolences. pic.twitter.com/ozxX2zP1Is

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) January 26, 2022

Taking to Twitter, Vice-President Venhaiah Naidu also expressed gried over Salvini's demise.

He posted: "Saddened to learn about the passing away of Ms. Milena Salvini. An exponent of Kathakali, Ms. Milena Salvini played an important role in promoting Indian dance and music for over four decades in France. My deepest condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace."

Saddened to learn about the passing away of Ms. Milena Salvini. An exponent of Kathakali, Ms. Milena Salvini played an important role in promoting Indian dance and music for over four decades in France. My deepest condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/upYtIJ8py9

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) January 26, 2022

According to reports, Salvini learnt Kathakali at the Kerala Kalamandalam after obtaining a two-year scholarship in 1962. She later opened the dance school in Paris.