Samsara - Aakash Odedra & Hu Shenyuan

Experience a touching story of self-discovery and cultural exchange through this epic live performance of music and dance inspired by the classic 16th Century Chinese story Journey to The West.

Presented by Aakash Odedra Company and Bagri Foundation, Samsara is a duet created and performed by Aakash Odedra with Hu Shenyuan.

Samsara is inspired by the many monks believed to have attempted the long pilgrimage that eventually led to the classic 16th Century Chinese story Journey to The West. Their journey was both literal and metaphorical, physical and spiritual. With universal themes of self- development, strength, fear and love, Samsara explores the journey individuals take to become themselves. With obstacles to overcome and demons to face, we leave behind many versions of ourselves and learn to love these versions while finding love for others.

Drawing on contemporary dance, Chinese folk dance and the classical Indian dance form Kathak, Samsara is an expression of cultural exchange, where epic, mythological storytelling merges with personal experience from two globally opposite perspectives. Samsara traces a path across lands and through time; and explores the idea that if we let attachments go, and allow love or light in, we may find a place of truth and peace.

Both Aakash and Hu are regarded as the finest examples of their culturally specific forms of dance in their native cultures, UK/India and China respectively. Aakash has garnered worldwide attention for his impeccable and virtuosic kathak performances and Hu is one of the outstanding performers of his generation, dancing for big name Chinese choreographers Yabin Wang and Yang Liping. Their desire to perform is undiminished and they have found that despite not sharing a common spoken language (we have an interpreter in the room to help with technicalities), their bodies yearn to share movement, stories and to explore these ineffable frontiers between themselves. They are both aware of their own cultural histories and have a deep understanding and respect of each other’s cultures. Whilst India and China share historical trade routes, philosophies and poetry, creative exchange is a small obstacle to overcome.

With a new score composed by Nicki Wells and played live, a highly visual landscape by designer Tina Tzoka and lighting design by Yaron Abulafia, Samsara is touching, beautiful and readable for audiences. The World Premiere was held at Asia TOPA, Melbourne, Australia on 5 March 2020.

Presented in partnership with UK-UAE Cultural Professionals Connect.

UK-UAE Cultural Professionals Connect is a grant programme funded by the FCDO and delivered in partnership with the British Council in UAE to foster international mobility, networking and creative exchanges through arts and culture.