This was yet another of the memorable cultural experiences at Woodstock. We were privileged to have with us Mrs. Mrilanili Sarabhai, her daughter Dr. Mallika Sarabhai and the Darpana Performing Group. A week of  workshops was followed by a weekend of spectacular and moving dance and drama performances (click here for the full schedule).

On Saturday night they presented a programme of contemporary dance, with half a dozen pieces choreographed by Mallika. Some were set to existing music - L. Subramanian, Indian Ocean - others were accompanied by the Darpana musicians and singers, mostly percussion-based. On Sunday they performed their most-used repertoire piece, "Is it a dream?", a 30-minute dance based on a poem by Mrilanili reflecting on and aspiring after an end to war, violence and environmental degradation. It was beautifully sung and played on harmonium, with percussion and violin backing. Monday night was devoted to folk dance. Mallika introduced dances from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh – and Korea, courtesy of our own hip-hopping students. Another feature of this delightful evening was the performance of a Gujarati dance by our own staff, who had worked hard for two days to master the intricacies of the steps and the two rhythm sticks. “Is it a dream?” was repeated for a new audience, with a lengthy introduction from Mrinalini, who encouraged students, as she had in her speech at the flag-raising ceremony earlier that day – to seek to build a better world.

On Sunday, Mrinalini was joined by Tom Alter '68 for an intimate dramatised reading of letters between Gandhiji and Sarojini Naidu, "The Mahatma and the Poetess". The interplay between the two actors, as well as the beautiful language and content of the letters, made for a memorable evening. Pictured below (left to right) are: Mallika Sarabhai with some of the Darpana dancers; Mrilanili Sarabhai in "The Mahatma and the Poetess; Tom Alter and Mrilanili applauded by Priincipal David Jeffery at the end of their performance; Darpana with Mrs. Sanjaya Mark (centre), organiser of the Indian Culture Week programme.

Tom Alter and Mrinalini Sarabhai in "The Mahatma and the Poetess"		Mrs. Sanjaya Mark with the group