Mrinalini Sarabhai was India's first classical dancer to search for a new idiom. With this inspiration the Performing Group has varied styles of contemporary work, both as short items and as full length performances.
Devi, the Goddess, takes many forms and names in India, reflecting the deep Indian notion that creation and destruction constitute an ongoing cyclical process. Devi is sensuously seductive and deadly in combat, the great mother who reveals herself in her creative and destructive aspects.
Experience this multi-dimensional performance created using American author Suzanne Ironbiter's text with music composed by Indian rock/blues duo Mark and Philipe Haydon and sets and costumes designed by Australian Jodie Fried.
| Original poem | : | Suzanne Ironbiter |
| Choreography | : | Mallika Sarabhai, assisted by Padmakumar and Revanta Sarabhai |
| Music | : | Mark and Philipe Haydon |
| Set and Costume | : | Jodie Fried |
| Performed by | : | Mallika Sarabhai and The Darpana Performing Group |
| Videoscape | : | Yadavan Chandran |
| Lighting design | : | Revanta Sarabhai |
| Language | : | English |
| Running time | : | 70 minutes |
| Group size | : | 16 |
A varied evening , a bouquet of styles and ideas that form the panorama of contemporary dance in India. The pieces range from the abstract to the funny, from those exploring fusion in music and form, to those dealing with issues of rape, violence, societal hypocrysy and human values.. The music too is varied and ranges from that of known and popular composers like L Subramanium and Indian Ocean to the dancers themselves creating a music scape on stage. Spectacular dance that leaves the audience tapping.
| Choreography | : | Mallika Sarabhai and members of The Darpana Performing Group |
| Performed by | : | Mallika Sarabhai and The Darpana Performing Group |
| Running time | : | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Group size | : | 12 |
Delving into his roots in Kerala, raised on the sounds of drums beating to an inner core of silent contemplation Padmakumar explores the limits of movement and abstraction in a series of solos, duets, trios and group pieces. Visually exciting and gymnastically spectacular these pieces are both introverted and exhilerating.
| Choreography | : | D. Padmakumar |
| Performed by | : | Dancers from The Darpana Performing Group |
| Running time | : | 60 minutes |
| Group size | : | 12 |
Mrinalini Sarabhai, whose choreography in the early fifties helped change the face of Indian dance, brings a new dimension to dance in her musical 'Krishna' which combines the old and the new India. This stunning production gives you the joy you get while reading a tender lyric. The action, most of it in dance, the music, the words, the lights and the set bringing it all together, lifts you off the mundane world and transports you to over an hour's cherished ethereal happening in which you become as cheerful a participant as is each gopi and gopa in the cosmic dance.
| Concept and lyrics | : | Mrinalini Sarabhai |
| Choreography | : | Mrinalini Sarabhai and Mallika Sarabhai |
| Original musical score | : | Shri Purshottaman |
| Music | : | Louis Banks |
| Language | : | English |
| Running Time | : | 70 minutes |
| Group size | : | 24 |