AKRAM KHAN
Dec
2000
Born
in the UK of Bangladeshi origin, award winning choreographer Akram Khan
who is skilled in both Kathak and contemporary choreography teams up with
some of the most gifted composers, lighting designers and dancers currently
working in Britain and abroad. The resulting intelligent and compelling
choreography has elevated this third generation Asian to being one of the
young artistes who brings vitality to cross-cultural expression in the
world today. In 1999, Akram Khan won the Jerwood Foundation Choreography
Award. Apart from being Choreographer in Residence of DanceEast (2000-2002),
the National Dance Agency for Suffolk and Eastern Region, he is a recipient
of a Lisa Ullmann Travelling Scholarship Grant 2000.
How
does it feel to be one of the most sought after performing artistes in
the UK?
So
long as I can challenge my creativity and have quality in all my work,
it makes no difference to whether I am the most sought after performing
artist in the UK or not.
Have
you performed before in India? How do you feel about your forthcoming performance
for THE OTHER FESTIVAL in Chennai?
Yes,
I have. I have performed classical kathak recitals with my guru Shri Pratap
Pawar in Delhi, Lucknow and Bombay. I am really looking to experiencing
the response of Indian audiences to my work.
Apart
from FIX and LOOSE IN FLIGHT, you will be doing an impromptu piece to live
percussion accompaniment at The Other Festival, a piece that you will later
perform in Bangalore and New Delhi. Do you have any plans for this new
item?
I
have no plans because it will be purely improvised.
You
call your style of dance ‘Contemporary Kathak’. How do you define that?
Ask
me four years later, when I can understand more thoroughly the subject
I am exploring. At the moment I am in transition of searching, I have not
quite found a solid foundation to be able to explain or define clearly
what I mean by 'contemporary Kathak'.
You
have recently started The Akram Khan Company. What are your ambitions for
the Company?
(a)
To create a research and development base for new dancers who wish to venture
in my exploration and work.
(b)
To introduce, and for audiences around the globe, to experience and acknowledge
the point that Kathak and Contemporary Dance together canform a new exciting
language.
What
was the turning point in your career?
Working
with senior British choreographer Jonathan Burrows and with cutting edge
artists at Rosas in Belgium. With regard to stability of my work and the
Company, having a manager who has the vision and ambition to equal mine.
You
have worked with other choreographers like Jonathan Burrows. What do you
look for in your artistic collaborations?
Can
I learn something valuable and in return can I offer and share ideas with
them.
When
you create your new works, what do you have in mind?
a.
Purity b. Simplicity c. Honesty
What
has been the most memorable moment of your career?
1999
– ‘Duet’ with Jonathan Burrows at the Queen Elisabeth Hall, London (Kevin
Volans evening)
Your
birth date.
29
July 1974
Your
goal in life.
To
continue to have a voice and influence in the world of dance.
Akram
Khan
e-mail:
office@akramkhancompany.net
( As told to LV )
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