Sevens and Kattam Katti tour India

In the coming weeks Pagrav Dance and Srishti are taking their dance shows to tour the length and breadth of India. It is not the first time that UK-based artists are performing in India  –  there have been British Council-sponsored tours in the past – but this time the companies have taken the initiative themselves, with nine performances for Nina Rajarani Dance Creations and four for Pagrav Dance.

I managed to talk to Nina Rajarani, whose tour is opening on Friday 6 December at the Stein Centre in Delhi. I asked her when she had begun to plan the tour. She told me that a year ago, she, with partner and vocalist accompanist Y Yadavan, attended the Chennai Marghazi and spoke at the Natya Kala Conference that was being curated by bharatanatyam artist Rama Vaidhyanathan. Her attempts to make contacts to secure tour dates did not necessarily materialise, but word must have got around about the clips from Quick (suited men on the tube rushing to the City) and Bend It (football, needs no introduction) that reflect contemporary life. So, when it came to getting tour dates over the next nine months, she achieved spectacular success and nine performances were lined up. At the end of the day, the work speaks for itself. 

‘As a classical Indian dancer, you want to be recognised in India’ says Nina during our telephone conversation. Nina handled most of the tour bookings herself and was pleasantly surprised and touched by the support that she received from the dance community in India. Mallika Sarabhai acknowledged her publicity with a warm message and offered a date at the Natarani Amphitheatre. Rama Vaidyanathan offered in-kind support and Anita Ratnam of Narthaki gave financial assistance to the tour. Many dance friends added their weight and voice to helping with organisations and venues.

In Sevens Nina Rajarani uses her extensive choreographic experience to create a show which has been universally described as ‘uplifting’ and ‘joyous’. The use of both bharatanatyam and kathak opens up the movement palette; the sweep of the subject matter under the title of Seven allows diverse themes from the seven steps of the Hindu marriage ceremony to the seven deadly sins.

Kattam Katti tours India
Urja Desai Thakore of Pagrav Dance Company worked with an international touring consultant to advise and make the initial contacts in India. The enthusiastic responses from the venues in India spurred the company to apply for a touring grant from ACE which was successful, and four venues were lined up.

‘Returning to my birthplace to share our work feels like a personal and professional milestone’ says Urja. She was inspired to connect and reach out to the diverse and vibrant audiences in India. She was also keen to showcase British South Asian talent in India. Of special significance is performing in her home city of Ahmedabad in the presence of her mother Abha Desai, a singer whose advice and guidance she seeks in shaping her work.

The choice of Kattam Katti, with four dancers and four musicians, felt appropriate for a variety of reasons. The work is based on the kite festival of Uttarayan, which is deeply rooted in Indian culture, yet the themes explored: freedom, competition, connection, and celebration – resonate universally. The high production values of lighting and design with the strings of the kites that reflect lines of the dance and cut across the space add to the overall immersive experience.

On her aspirations for the tour Urja responds with, ‘I hope that Kattam Katti sparks conversations, evokes emotions, and fosters a sense of shared experience’.

Pulse wishes both companies whose tours are currently in full sway, great success!