The three women have come together for a momentous occasion. Spanning three generations, with different sensibilities and inclinations, they are united by a common passion: their devotion to dance. Their powerhouse of talent manifests itself into a performance that moves the formidable troika into the spotlight again – Two Lives In Dance And One More (Samabhavana). The biographical, perhaps one-of-its-kind, dance drama, organised by the Mumbai-based Deekshaa Academy of Classical Dance and Music, highlights the bloodline that links the danseuses together.

Mrinalini, who founded Darpana, a dance academy in Ahmedabad over 60 years ago, and with whom their tryst with public destiny started; Mallika, literally the centre of it all, and Anahita, a part of generation next, are the subject of this unique and fascinating show. The three of them interact, sing… and, of course, dance to portray the different facets of their interesting lives.

Catch them backstage, in a relaxed mood and you realise at once why they are oh-so-arresting. Age sits lightly on Mrinalini, graceful and quiet in a yellow sari; Mallika, in her black, traditional dancer’s outfit, flashes her kohl-lined eyes even as her hands mirror the conversation. And pony-tailed Anahita, in a teenager’s ubiquitous blue jeans and shirt, runs up and down the corridor before joining her mom and grandmother in the small make-up room.

"We do have differences over small things… too many to count, but my grandmother always supports me," says Anahita. Mallika, who’s weathered a barrage of criticism for her offstage activism from the powers that be as well as streams of support from public masses, is the backbone of the triumvirate. Jocularly ask them who the real boss is and both Mrinalini and Anahita immediately answer, pointing to the iron lady, "Her! She definitely calls the shots."

And, yes, Mallika has brainstormed and choreographed yet another performance that was born out of a previous 20-minute dance movement by Mrinalini and herself. Two Lives...And One More, apart from telling the tale of their individual lives, also looks at the importance of being and having a daughter. Mallika’s son, Revanta, is abroad. When he joins them, it will be time to put up Two Lives...And Two More. "People have always asked us about our lives and we felt that this was the way to tell our story."

"And" she continues, "It is marvellous to be performing together. Like any grandmother, mother and daughter, we do have our differences, but ultimately it is all about attitude and affection." It shows.