Kochi

Well known dancer Mallika Sarabhai plans to direct a film, which will give an insight into the life of women in the orthodox Syrian Christian family in Kerala.

"The film is about the many roles played by women in the Syrian Christian family," Sarabhai told reporters here.

It will be co-directed by Yadavan Chandran, son of well known film director T V Chandran and coordinator of visual communications at the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, run by Sarabhai along with her mother Mrinalini.

Sarabhai was here to participate in an original dance theatre performance called 'And Then They Came to India', celebrating a historic journey and a new beginning of the Parsi community.

Of the different people who have migrated to India over the centuries, one group that stands out for its industriousness and maintenance of their ethnic difference are the Parsis.

From before the birth of Zarathushtra, the dance theatre traces the early Persians and their myths, the birth of Zoroastrianism, the rise of Islam that led to their persecution and their final flight to India.

Sarabhai is also keen to set up an international university for art study and application in case there is government or corporate assistance.

Considered the queen of classical dance, Mallika has floored audiences with her performance as Draupadi and is also the recipient of the highest civilian award instituted by the French government, 'the legion of art and letters'.