Shadhona’s International Project in the UK
Promising dancer Arthy Ahmed set to perform in Birmingham
Sahasa is a programme that depicts the encounter with one's inner self, in the conflicted world of values and equal rights. This live dance and musical piece is the beginning of a unique international collaboration of three female artistes from Birmingham and Bangladesh through a three-year project called Transforming Narratives.
Sonia Sabri Company and Shadhona are two internationally renowned art organisations from the UK and Bangladesh, respectively. For the first time, they have come together in pursuit of presenting a breath-taking performance. The participating artistes for the project include dancers Sonia Sabri (Kathak) and Arthy Ahmed (Bharatanatyam), vocalist Sanchita Pal and tabla maestro Sarvar Sabri. The performances will be followed by a Q & A session.
Sahasa weaves a web of curiosity and debate through the bold South Asian inspired dance and Bangladeshi music, in response to research conducted with women in Birmingham and Dhaka. The research revolves around personal aspirations and challenges within a framework of societal, political and cultural demands.
Promising Bangladeshi Bharatanatyam Dancer Arthy Ahmed is flying to Birmingham, UK on February 16 to perform in the exciting event. "The newly designed dance and music piece will explore like landscape, time, community circles and faith practised in the both the Western and Eastern parts of the world," she says, "It will especially shed light on patriarchal politics, and the lens which judges and exerts influence on the aspirations of Bangladeshi women."
A day-long open rehearsal session will take place at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, UK on February 28. The participating audience/spectators will have a chance to speak to the artistes about the research, concept and creation as part of the rehearsal to make the session more interactive.
Sahasa will be presented on February 29, in two separate sessions -- from 12 noon to 1 pm, and from 2 pm to 3 pm at the Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, UK.