For several years Akademi has been presenting Daredevas, a showcase for up and coming dancers, around London and the United Kingdom. Daredevas features the brightest young talents in contemporary Indian dance. British-based with international roots, these artists provide a fresh take on traditional Indian dance styles, showing a mix of bold and adventurous choreographies. The Daredevas format will comprise of a programme of 4 short works performed by four dancers. Styles range from energetic traditional Bharata Natyam and intricate extensions of Kathak to contemporary dance and creative fusions of various Indian and Western dance forms

This showcase features the talents of four dancers who are already creating a buzz within the mainstream dance sector and this evening provides an opportunity to see their work in an intimate theatre. The dancers featured are Archita Kumar, who began her training in Kathak at the Bhavan Centre, London, and has participated in Bells at Trafalgar Square Festival in 2006, and appeared at Watermans recently in Baharan; Ash Mukherjee, who trained at Bharata Natyam in Kolkata, was also last seen at Watermans as the Merchant, in FIPA’s production, Land of Cards, and has been featured in Time Out’s ‘Rising Talent’ issue as one of three emerging dance makers; Mansi Dabral Uniyal, a post diploma holder in Kathak has been teaching and performing Kathak in UK. She was selected as a Cultural Ambassador, by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, to teach at Kathak at arts centres outside India, and finally, Seeta Patel, a recipient of the Kadam Choreography Award, and associate artist at Akademi presents a preview of her Bharata Natyam pieces.

The artists have selected pieces that highlight the story telling styles of classical Indian dance form and allow them to explore aspects of their craft without pressure. Some of the dancers will also be accompanied by live music and singers.

Akademi

Akademi is a cutting-edge, progressive arts organisation with an international outlook, based in the heart of London. It works to enhance the practice, understanding and appreciation of South Asian dance across the UK within a contemporary artistic, social and educational context. Its work is modern and holistic, informed by the traditions and rich heritage of South Asian dance and driven by the needs of South Asian dance artists in the UK. A pioneer in its field, Akademi is known for its achievements in training, education and community work. It strives towards relevance, accessibility and excellence in all its initiatives, realising these aspirations through an energetic and varied programme of innovative projects that nurture the individual artist and encourage the diversity of South Asian dance forms

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