I
wonder how many Sherwoodians
having a fine time in the canteen, that most
densely-populated and popular part of this
Estate, stop to look at the foundation-stone
outside? And I wonder how many are aware that a
major contribution was Dalip Tahil's?
Dalip
is another of Sherwood's gifts to the world of
the theatre and the cinema. Bombay will long
remember him for his brilliant performance as Che
Guevara in the play "Evita" where,
together with Sharon Prabhakar, an ex-All Saints'
girl, he gave a benefit performance for Sherwood
College. The money earned was used for the
Sherwood College canteen and tuck-shop that have
already given so many hours of pleasure to so
many children.
Dalip
was College Captain in 1969 and like Marcus March
and Amitabh Bachchan, gave early indications of
his talent. In the play "Macbeth" where
he took the title role, there is a dramatic
description fo the dagger scene where, according
to an account, "one could almost enter the
tortured mind and feel the agony of his
conscience. The play depended on Macbeth and, in
many ways, the applause belonged to him after the
performance.
As
John Smith in the play "Facing the
Music", he played the debonair gallant with
much dash for which deserves great credit.
His
dramatic talent stood him in good stead in
elocution in which he won several prizes
including first place in his final year. His
artistic temperament is reflected in his love for
music and his occasional foray into the world of
poetry.
He
earned merit in the Trinity College Music
Practical examination.
On
the games field, he played cricket for the
school, but it was in the swimming he shone,
especially in the 100 and 50 yards freestyle. In
his final year (1969), Dalip Tahil captained the
school.
Dalip
may not have made the splash Amitabh did in the
world of cinema; His medium is the theatre.
Despite that he is a well-known name in the world
of cinema for character roles, which he plays
with great flair and conviction. Dalip won the
Kendal Cup for dramatics in 1969.
