Darpana Academy add flavour to Indian Culture Week

Woodstock School witnessed an eventful and exciting week following the Independence Day as Indian Culture Week took place from the 15-20th August. After the celebrations of 15th August, Woodstock students and even some staff got the opportunity to partake in cultural workshops held by members of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, who came to the school as special guests from Ahmedabad.

The group was led by Mrs. Mrinalini Sarabhai and Dr. Mallika Sarabhai. Woodstock alumnus and Padma Shri actor Mr. Tom Alter was also present in Woodstock for several events during the course of the week.

For students from Grades 4-12, the Darpana group held workshops in dance, music, as well as kalari, which is a form of martial art from the state of Kerala. These workshops took place at several venues around the school throughout the week, and even some of the staff members joined in to enjoy some education in the different performing arts.

Dance of Life

The highlight of the Darpana group's visit were two performance of a dance/play called the 'Dance of Life' on 18th and 19th of August. This performance was inspired by the history of Indian science, from Brahmagupta and Aryabhata to Charaka, Bhaskara and the scientists of the 20th century. The Dance of Life created in dance visual meaning from abstractions. Sequences included the discovery of the place holder zero, the early development of algebra, the discovery and development of Ayurveda and the first nose surgery, Emperor Jehangir's research into the physiognomy of birds, and the work of J.C Bose, Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. Dr. Mallika Sarabhai joined the 12 other members of the Darpana group in these special performances.

Poetess and the Mahatma

Another feature of the Indian Culture Week at Woodstock School was a special reading of the 'Poetess and the Mahatma' by Mrs. Mrinalini Sarabhai and Tom Alter. This reading was of a selection of letters between Sarojini Naidu and Mahatma Gandhi. The letters were conversations of a congenial nature between two close friends, which were clouded under the activism and struggle for independence made by both legendary figures.