impulse

The season comprises five tours, with several projects from educational residencies to a dance on film programme, all aiming to reach new audiences for contemporary UK dance:

Aakash Odedra - Rising

Dubbed as a rising new sensation in South Asian Dance, Aakash Odedra is one of the most exciting young contemporary dancers and choreographers in the UK.

Rising sees Aakash perform solo work by three legendary choreographers, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Russell Maliphant, as well as new work of his own.

As well as performing in four cities as part of impulse, including the IGNITE! Festival of Contemporary Dance in Delhi, Aakash will participate in dance residencies with Nritarutya in Bangalore and Sumeet Nagdev Dance Arts in Mumbai.

Aakash’s tour is presented by the British Council in association with GREAT, GATI Dance, Nritarutya, Ananda Shankar Centre for Performing Arts, Anjika Dance, Shree Mangal Trust and a range of local supporting organisations.

Akram Khan Company - Gnosis

Akram Khan is among the most highly-acclaimed dancers and choreographers of his generation. After starring in the opening ceremony of London 2012, Akram toured his production Gnosis in India, visiting six cities during September as part of the Park’s New Festival and the opening showcase of impulse.

Gnosis is inspired by the Mahabharata, in particular the story of Gandhari, wife of the blind king who blindfolds herself for life to share his journey. The performance sees Akram accompanied on stage by an ensemble of exceptional musicians from around the world and acclaimed guest artist Fang-Yi Sheu from Taiwan.

Akram Khan and producer Farooq Chaudhry also conducted talks around the country on choreographic processes and the business of dance.

Akram Khan Dance Company’s tour is presented by British Council in partnership with GREAT and Prakriti Foundation.

Acclaimed dance critic Sanjoy Roy has written a recent article about Akram Khan's work and contemporary dance in India for The Caravan magazine, available to view online here.

Champloo - White Caps

Champloo is a Bristol-based hip hop dance theatre company that specialises in b-boying. White Caps combines multimedia and digital components, following the journey of two young men as they embark on an epic and gruelling personal adventure.

Created and performed by Branson and Daniel, White Caps is set to a soundtrack by Type Sun, who have collaborated with a variety of artists including Phil King, Eleanor Rusbridge and DJ Rouge to create a unique score.

The acclaimed show will have its Indian premiere as part of the prestigious Attakkalari India Biennial 2013 in Bangalore. After Bangalore, Champloo will travel across South India presenting performances, professional training events and a school outreach programme.

British Council in association with GREAT presents Champloo’s India tour. The tour is also supported by Attakkalari, Prakriti Foundation and a range of local supporting organisations.

Protein - LOL (Lots of Love)

Protein works with a distinctive blend of original choreography, text, humour and music to produce socially relevant and entertaining dance theatre. The work is strongly connected physically, mentally and emotionally with the real life experiences of performers and audiences.

LOL (lots of love) looks at the subject of human connection in the online world. Talking and dancing at speed, six dancers stylishly nail the language of life online, exposing how the internet is transforming human relationships. Choreographed by Luca Silvestrini with video animation by Rachel Davies and original music by Andy Pink, LOL's razor-sharp commentary on how we are re-wiring romance is underpinned by provocative humour and tremendous physical and verbal wit.

Protein’s tour is presented by British Council in partnership with GREAT and NCPA.

Scottish Dance Theatre

Scotland’s national contemporary dance company presents dance that is moving and thought provoking, combining world-class dance theatre performances with an inclusive and innovative outreach programme. Scottish Dance Theatre will present three works: Luxuria by Liv Lorent, Dog by Russell Maliphant and Drift by James Wilton in Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi and Kolkata as well as an educational outreach programme in all four cities.

The company will be reaching out to school audiences, non-dance teachers, underprivileged children, and differently-abled children, working with new and established dance organisations on the ground.

Scottish Dance Theatre is presented in India by British Council in association with GREAT, Creative Scotland, Scottish Government, ICCR, The Hindu, Teamwork Productions, Prakriti Foundation, Attakkalari, Danceworx, Ranan, Ananda Shankar Centre for Performing Arts, DIAF and a host of local supporting organisations.