9 April

Virtuosos Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas present a new work Mehek

A dance exploration of an unspoken love story inspired by stories of love and longing

Mehek is a major new collaboration from two of the finest Kathak contemporary dancers on the world stage, Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas. Together they have created a powerful, raw and mesmerising duet which tells the story of a taboo relationship between an older woman and a younger man. Mehek is a physical exploration of the human heart, its desires, courage and resilience.

The title Mehek alludes to the essence of love and the enduring power of memory. The stage becomes a place where rhythmic tales of desire unfold, entwined with elements of nature. A set of mirrors by Tina Tzoka evokes the expansive waters of the sea, the tranquil surface and the tumultuous waves beneath. Composer Nicki Wells, a frequent collaborator of both Odedra and Mangaldas, has created the sound-score, sometimes epic, sometimes intimate. She sings live on stage with two Indian percussionists, Ashish Gangani and Hiren Chate and vocalist Faraz Ahmed. Ahmed has contributed to the composition of the classical music in the soundtrack.

Authenticity is at the heart of the piece. At the start of the creative process, the company worked with over 450 elders from communities across Leicester who were taking part in Mehek Live, a major learning and participation project funded by a Nationally Significant Project Grant from Arts Council England. Some of their personal stories and memories of life and love, told to Aakash Odedra, dramaturg Karthika Naïr and musician Hiren Chate, have fed into the final piece.

BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB
Tickets: 0844 338 5000 / www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Photo credit:  Angela Grabowska