Masala Festival Launch:
Aunusthan: Pagrav Dance Company
Date: Monday 15^th July
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Dance City,Temple St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BR
Tickets: £15 / £12 concessions
Box office: www.dancecity.co.uk / 0191 2610505
 
GemArts launch Masala Festival 2024 with Pagrav Dance Company’s Aunusthan, a celebration of Neo-Classical Indian Dance and Music
Step into a world of abstracted relationships, Interweaved complex patterns, rigorous choreography, virtuosic performance and riotous rhythms with Aunusthan.
Conceived with the intention of portraying the multi-faceted nature of kathak (North Indian, Classical dance style), Aunusthan takes the audience on a vibrant journey through infectious rhythm and dance.
Accompanied by an outstanding ensemble of live musicians and featuring a cast of talented British Asian dance artists who have trained with Pagrav Dance Company, Aunusthan also showcases the bright future of kathak in the UK. These talented performers bring their passion and creativity to every moment of the show, creating an unforgettable experience for all.

Choreography Urja Desai Thakore Music : Alap Desai and Atul Desai Costume : Urja Desai Thakore and Abha Desai Lighting Design Urja Desai Thakore & Chris Burr Executive Producer Lia Prentaki Production Manager Chris Burr Sound Engineer: Camilo Tirado Audio Description: Meera Patel

Performed by Dancers: Parbati Chaudry (she/her), Shyam Dattani (he/him), Urja Desai Thakore (she/her), Vishesh Mehta (he/him), Meera Patel (she/her), Mira Salat (she/her), Ishira Shah (she /her) Musicians: Hiren Chate @hirenchate (he/him), Kaviraj Singh @kavirajsingh (he/him), Gurdain Singh Rayatt @gurdain (he/him), Satwinder Pal Singh @sardarsatwinderpalsingh (he/him) Produced by Pagrav Dance Company. 

Pagrav Bio: Pagrav means ‘the sound of feet’. Through the Indian classical dance form Kathak – which expresses stories through movement, especially footwork and facial gesture – we celebrate an ancient tradition and its potential to empower people and enhance lives. Artistic Director and CEO Urja Desai Thakore creates the company’s touring productions. Urja is one of the UK’s leading kathak practitioners, who studied under the guidance of Kumudini Lakhia at Kadamb, Ahmedabad for over 20 years. A graceful and emotive dancer, Urja is renowned for her love of abhinaya, subtle movements and technical strength. Furthermore, her sensitive, thought-provoking choreographic style is highly regarded by both traditionalists and modernists alike.
 
Presented by GemArts and Dance City
 

Nearest Metro: Central Station
GemArts award winning Masala Festival is back from 15^th – 21^St July celebrating a mix and blend of the finest South Asian Arts and Culture, packed full of performances, exhibitions, events, workshops, talks, pop ups and delicious Indian food in venues, places and spaces across the North East.
For full Masala Festival 2024 programme visit www.gemarts.org

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