Between memory and desire

For those who are familiar with the world of performing arts, (even the unversed for that matter), the phenomenal Mallika Sarabhai needs no introduction. Daughter of the legendary dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai and renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai, Mallika is renowned worldwide for her various captivating dance performances, especially her role as Draupadi in Peter Brook’s ‘The Mahabharata’.

Mallika has been running the celebrated Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, an institution established by her parents in 1949, for over four decades now. She continues to create immersive and exclusive performances along with the institute’s Creative Director Yadavan Chandran.

Now in its glorious 75th year, Darpana, located on the banks of the serene Sabarmati River, continues to be at the forefront of nurturing talent across dance forms, theatre, music, and puppetry. Its latest production to mark its 75th anniversary, ‘Meanwhile Elsewhere’, is inspired by Italo Calvino’s literary masterpiece ‘Invisible Cities’ and navigates the boundaries between reality and fiction, memory and desire, and the past and present, told through conversations between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan.

In an interview with DHoS, the award-winning choreographer and dancer, reflects on her journey so far and speaks about supporting the performing arts socially and financially.

What inspired you to pursue dance and the arts, and how did your early experiences shape your career?

Growing up, there was one thing that I was sure of — I didn’t want to be a dancer! I was a lazy kid and saw how hard and constantly Amma worked, so I had decided that this wasn’t for me. I went to dance classes, took theatre classes, explored puppetry, and even Hindustani singing in school. At 16, I entered films but hated the Bollywood atmosphere. All this while, I was also pursuing college and later, an MBA at IIM-Ahmedabad.

Then came a romance that ended in a breakup, followed by severe depression. It was during this time that I had the Eureka moment: ‘What am I doing? All I want to do is dance.’ As I began to dance professionally, the overriding thought was that I mustn’t let Amma down, I mustn’t ruin the reputation for excellence she had built.

How did the unique perspectives of your parents shape your approach to dance, culture, and social activism?

My parents and the larger family on both sides dedicated their lives to building India — from education to industry, enterprises to science, medicine, and welfare. That was the conversation I grew up with, and that was what I witnessed. It shaped everything I am. To Papa, science was about strengthening the most marginalised. To Amma, using performance was about creating awareness of social evils. To my aunt, Mridula, building an institution for destitute women was about empowering them to be independent and self-reliant. And thus, the diversity of India’s culture was celebrated. In school, I learned how to weave with a back strap loom and how to whittle bamboo. Our craft heritage, languages, ways of cooking, and dressing — all of these are what I celebrate through my art.

Darpana Academy is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Looking back, what moments or achievements stand out the most?

There are too many to discuss, really. Sometimes, the external world shapes us, and at other times, it is the inner world. We have welcomed those changes and have tried to be malleable to change while keeping our mission and values. Overall, I think being productive and relevant after 75 years in a fast-changing world is something to be proud of.

Darpana has impacted over 35,000 graduates. What do you think has been the key to its longevity and continued relevance in the arts community?

In the most unexpected corners of the world, I’ve had people approach me and say, ‘We studied at Darpana for seven years. We may not have danced again, but the character we built there has helped us navigate every crisis in life.’

For me, creating resilient, ethical, and compassionate individuals who stand against injustice is far more important than producing brilliant dancers. Additionally, I believe the relevance of our work lies in its content, the technological advancements we embrace, and how we adapt our material to resonate with evolving audiences.

Tell us a bit about ‘Meanwhile Elsewhere’, the production that celebrates Darpana’s glorious 75 years.

‘Meanwhile Elsewhere’ is magical and breathtaking. It evokes longing, mystery, nostalgia, and fading memories. It reflects all that is wrong with the world, yet holds the optimism that each of us can make things right. The production is multi-layered, with each viewing unravelling more meaning and a deeper understanding. And it is entirely Yadavan’s genius.

You’ve worked in both traditional and contemporary performance spaces. How do you see the relationship between these two worlds?

What is tradition? Is there a cut-off date for when tradition becomes contemporary? One flows into the other. What I am doing today might seem radical at present but become traditional in 20 years.

Over the years, what has been your most memorable performance or artistic moment, and why?

There is no single absolute favourite in my life; different things hold different significance at various phases. But if I had to point to one moment, even before I danced professionally, it would be when I first danced with Amma at 14, as the Kurati, in a show in Japan. As I stepped onto the stage, I accidentally stepped on the pleats of my half-sari, and it fell off. Without missing a beat, I picked it up and tucked it back in. At the end of the show, Amma told me, “You are a trooper. If you ever want to, you can become a performer. You have the style and the presence of mind.”

In your opinion, what is the most significant role that the arts play in society today?

They make us humane. They reach parts of us that we discover — the caring, giving and nurturing parts — the parts that push us from an aggressive, violent world into believing that beauty and vulnerability, generosity and openness are within our reach.

How do you stay inspired and motivated, especially during challenging times in your career?

Sometimes, I need friends and colleagues like Yadavan to give me a push when I start becoming slack or fall into the trap of ‘chalta hai’ attitude. They remind me of life’s true purpose — how brilliance and excellence for a better world are what our lives are truly about.

What is the most significant lesson you’ve learned in this journey?

The arts need support — both financial and societal. Only with long-term commitment can the arts truly flourish, fostering the creation of new works, preservation of old ones, and feeding society what it desperately needs — a heart that bleeds for the world and the action to make a change.