Details

Akademi is the leading organisation working with choreographers and dancers to produce and develop South Asian dance in the UK. For over 30 years Akademi has pioneered new visions of dance, synthesising classical and contemporary influences - and contributing to the cultural exchange that is now part of the creative DNA of the UK. In addition, the organisation s internationally recognised and respected community outreach programme mobilises South Asian dance for learning, creativity and well-being. Akademi innovate a rich year-round programme of work, from large-scale outdoor spectaculars to intimate productions for unusual spaces and venues. Co-commissioners Kala Sangam launch their new auditorium with a performance of song of the city at their base at St Peters Church in Bradford. Akademi has created a brand new production inspired by the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rabindranath Tagore - poet, musician and social reformer. Song of the city, combines dance, music, film and text to interpret Tagore s canon against the backdrop of 21st century London. Tagore is considered the greatest Indian literary figure of all time: his prolific output includes the Indian and Bangladeshi national anthem and ?Gitanjali , an excerpt of which was quoted at the foundation of Indian independence in 1947. In 1913 he became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for literature. Inspired by both traditional Indian and modern Western cultures - Tagore first visited London in 1879 as a student - his work inspired some of the greatest names of the 20th century, from Yeats to Einstein and remains as relevant today as at his death 70 years ago. Taking his philosophies, songs and sketches as inspiration, song of the city explores the duality of light and dark, west and east, self and other as three city-dwellers - two men (one creative, the other ?executive ) and one woman (the muse) - fall in and out of tune with their environment. With virtuosic choreography by rising star Ash Mukherjee and a haunting musical score by clarinettist Arun Ghosh, song of the city is one of Akademi s most impactful and visually striking productions yet. Created with an underground space in mind, the piece will be premiered behind the bustling streets of the capital at the Vault at the Southwark Playhouse from 5-6 August 2011, before touring nationally in the autumn. Akademi - South Asian Dance - Song of the City website.

Cast/Performers

Kim Amundsen, Kamala Devam, Gian Luca Loddo

Creatives/Company

Translation: William Radice
Music: Arun Ghosh
Other: William Huntley (filmmaker)
Dramaturg: Deepan Sivaraman