Reimagining Indian Dance: Moving Forward

Dancers/choreographers Sheetal Gandhi, Hari Krishnan, Parul Shah and Kuldeep Singh present recent works that speak to contemporary issues, each pulling from their own unique interpretation of—or departure from—Indian dance forms. Their movement based practices are evocative, provocative, sometimes satirical, and even camp, as each artist interprets influences of Indian dance into a contemporary movement vocabulary.

A thriving and vital diaspora dance community exists today, as Indian artists working from their present North American base examine new challenges arising with the changing times. In the era of identity politics and nationalist movements, these artists tackle complex contemporary issues each through their own artistic expression. Experimentation—either within tradition, or through wholly contemporary forms—push these artists to interpret Indian dance in new ways. This performance invites audiences to leave their comfort zone, as they are presented with new ideas about what can define “Indian” dance.

The performance will be followed by a panel discussion.

Curated with Rajika Puri.