THE beating of the drum grew louder. The blowing on the pui-pui flutes grew more piercing. In contrast with the music, the movements of the nine dancers were slow and constant. Between the music and the movements it was like being in different worlds. But that lack of harmony is actually the power of this dance.

This was Akkarena Sombal, the work by Wiwiek Sipala which opened Festival Salihara last Thursday night. The piece of about 28 minutes