The Darpana Performing Group, founded by classical danseuse Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai in the 1940s, continues today in her legacy of using the languages of the arts to speak about the world we live in. Darpana’s performances are known for their innovative choreography, technical excellence, and political and social messages that make audiences sit up and think.

Mallika Sarabhai has been one of India’s leading choreographers and dancers for over three decades and has been honorary Director of  Darpana Academy of performing Arts for 40 years. She first came to international attention when she played the role of Draupadi in Peter Brook’s The Mahabharata for 5 years, first in French and then English, performing in France, North America, Australia, Japan and Scotland.

In this piece, nayakas go through different emotions in their journey of love for Shiva. Some describe his amazing dance with Parvati in Chidambaram. Another asks her friend to help bring him back to her. Some describe his beauty. One nayika gently scolds him for neglecting her when she has come to embrace him: You were angry with and burnt Manmadha, why are you angry with me? You blessed Markandeya and saved him from death, why don’t you free me from the world? Finally in a joyous thillana they celebrate Shiva.