Songs of the Bulbul listing on Broadway Baby

WORLD PREMIERE

The world premiere of Aakash Odedras latest work creates a mediative exchange between the Indian classical dance Sufi Kathak and Islamic poetry.

Returning to the International Festival after his spellbinding presentation of Samsara in 2022, Aakash Odedra presents a spiritual and captivating new work. This world premiere creates a sensitive dialogue between the Indian classical dance Sufi Kathak and Islamic poetry.

Bulbuls are a common songbird throughout Africa and Asia. In Sufism " a mystical practice of Islam that emphasises a spiritual closeness with God " bulbuls symbolise the beauty of the natural world and the pursuit of religious enlightenment. Odedras dance piece explores an ancient Sufi myth about a captured bulbul, which sings an exquisite tune before perishing from despair.

In this piece, the bulbul myth becomes a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of dance and life itself. Developed with choreographer Rani Khanam, Odedra combines the music, dance and poetry traditions of Sufism to create an ambitious work that is both ferocious and contemplative.

A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.Aakash Odedra Dancer Rani Khanam ChoreographerSalvatore Scollo Production ManagerEmanuele Salamanca Set Designer & Stage Manager Rushil Ranjan Composer & Musical DirectorDheerendra Tiwari Rehearsal DirectorFabiana Piccioli Lighting Designer & Dramaturg

Additional compositions:

Abi Sampa, Shuheb Hassan, Amman Ali, Danyal Dhondy Music preparation: Danyal Dhondy, Max Guthrie

The music for Songs of the Bulbul has been developed by Rushil Ranjan, a London-based composer known for blending Indian Classical and Western Classical traditions. His unique score, crafted for an orchestra, Qawwali singers, and other Indian Classical musicians, will be played in recording by Manchester Camerata, UK's most relentlessly pioneering orchestra.

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