2022, various locations
Project description
Aakash Odedra Company and Bagri Foundation presents Samsara, a new collaboration between highly acclaimed choreographers Aakash Odedra (UK/India) and Shenyuan Hu (China). Premiering in 2020, we have partnered with Peacock Contemporary Dance (Kunming, China) by supporting an international tour of this exciting new dance commission.
Samsara is interpreted in Sanskrit as ‘wandering’ or ‘world’ and alludes to the Buddhist belief in the cycle of life, rebirth and cyclical change. The choreographers chose as a starting point, the 16th century novel Journey to the West, one of the major texts of China by Wu Cheng’en created during the Ming Dynasty (c. 1592 CE). The novel tells the story of how original Buddhist philosophy was sought by Tang Sanzang through an arduous journey to India and brought to China. This story of cultural exchange, finding common philosophy and the cycle of life will be key to the interpretation of the work.
The duo aim to make a piece of movement work which is touching, beautiful, poignant, understood by audiences of all cultures. A truly universal piece drawing upon their diverse disciplines.
Organiser’s bio
Aakash Odedra Company tells stories through movement. Inspired by South Asian classical dance, contemporary dance and collaborative partnerships, the work always seeks to enliven audiences and find new ways to engage with people. Aakash Odedra is one of the most sought after dancers in the UK. With a growing international reputation for making and commissioning beautifully crafted dance works.
Aakash Odedra Company has firm roots in its home town, Leicester. The Desi Masti Studio, founded by Producer Anand Bhatt in 2003, is a home for learning Dance in Leicester in a richly diverse community. The belief is that social, economic and physical regeneration can be inspired if we deeply invest in cultural learning. The three-thousand square-feet facility is used by some 200 learners per week.
