Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish Dance Ensemble

Performing Arts
Dance
Performances
Saturday, 17th February 2024
From 7:00pm to 8:30pm (IST)
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT VENUE BOX-OFFICE 12:00 PM ONWARDS

Details

Two powerhouse genres of dance and music, two gifted experimental artistes and musicians come together with Kathak Exponent Aditi Bhagwat and Flamenco Artist Bettina Castaño explore the timeless connection between the two dance forms.

The stark similarities between the Indian classical dance form Kathak and Flamenco, a form associated with the gypsies from the South of Spain, echo a shared deep rooted history. The origin of Spanish Flamenco can be traced back to the nomadic gypsies of Rajasthan and one of the three predominant schools of Kathak is the Jaipur Gharana to which Aditi belongs.

Accompanying them are Shruti Bhave on Vocals and Violin; Swapnil Bhise on Tabla and Emmanuel Simon on Percussion to create a cross-disciplinary dialogue that transcends cultural boundaries and language barriers making the evening a multi-dimensional melange of arts.

Join us for an avant garde performance that captures the essence of two vivid cultures in an unforgettable evening!



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Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish Dance Ensemble
Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish Dance Ensemble
Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish Dance Ensemble
Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish Dance Ensemble

Faculty

Aditi Bhagwat

Aditi Bhagwat

Kathak & Lavani Exponent

ADITI BHAGWAT Aditi began rigorous training in the Jaipur style of ‘Kathak’ dance under Padmashri Dr.Roshan Kumari with strict discipline and ethics at the tender age of 4yrs. She has also received the able guidance of Kathak exponent Smt. Nandita Puri and Tabla virtuoso Pt. Yogesh Samsi. Having secured a masters in Psychology, Aditi did her masters in Kathak dance from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. She is an ‘A’ graded artist of the Doordarshan Kendra, impaneled with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and has received the title of ‘Nalanda Nritya Nipun’ from the Nalanda Dance and Research Academy, Mumbai. She is a TEDx SereneMeadows 2021 speaker and has conducted workshops in Storytelling through expression dance for Summertime at Prithvi Theatre and the TPot Theatre Fest. With a strong foothold in traditional Kathak dance, Aditi has experimented with the traditions of Jazz and world music. Aditi collaborated with Flamenco exponent Bettina Castaño and Jazz artists Dallas Smith and Susan Mazer from USA on her recent venture ‘Crossroads’ in association with the Consulate of Spain in Mumbai. Aditi received the OneBeat fellowship which was an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Under this fellowship Aditi collaborated with 32 musicians from all over the world. Aditi featured as a ‘foot percussionist’ from India and successfully combined Indian rhythms and Kathak bols (syllables) through her feet and ghungroos. Aditi deeply loves and respects the rich cultural heritage that our country is adorned with. She is indebted to her Gurus for introducing her to this beautiful culture of Kathak dance and classical music.

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Bettina Castaño

Bettina Castaño

Flamenco Dancer and Choreographer

BETTINA CASTAÑO Most flamenco dancers fascinate with their blinding technique, so pure and clean, as smooth as a diamond. Others with the intensity of their interpretation, expression, through the gift of using a traditional phrase, which the listener or spectator has heard thousands of times before, to say something new. Others impress with their willingness to take a risk – for example when they choose a bold Zapateado tempo, or create unusual, exciting timbres with the foot. Bettina Castaño does all of this and much more. For example, she experiments with world music - distancing herself a little from traditional flamenco - integrates these elements, finds her way back, and fascinates the flamenco world. She is one of the most amazing new generation flamenco dancers in Sevilla. Her seemingly inexhaustible wealth of choreographs and her huge dance repertoire motivate her to create a special type of performance The conception, her wealth of ideas, and her arrangements appear so, that every programme constantly alternates instrumental performance and dance pieces.

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Shruti Bhave

Shruti Bhave

Vocals and Violin

SHRUTI BHAVE Shruti Bhave is a skilled Indian classical violinist and vocalist from Mumbai, India. Shruti was born into a musical family and trained from a young age as a singer before taking up the violin. She has a wealth of collaborative experience, both in India and abroad, having toured internationally with the interdisciplinary collaboration FlamencoKathaa, as well as with popular Bollywood singers Sonu Nigam and Jawed Ali. Shruti is a member of the well known all-female ensemble Indiva and has released her own solo recordings, including a cover of a popular Bollywood song, “Dil Diyan Gallan”, that has attracted over 3 million views online. Back in Mumbai, Shruti regularly performs everything from classical, fusion, Bollywood and indie music as a live and session musician.

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Swapnil Bhise

Swapnil Bhise

Tabla Player

SWAPNIL BHISE Swapnil Bhise is a much appreciated Mumbai-based tabla artiste known for his artistry. He studied under Chandrakant A. Bhosekar, Praveen Karkare, and Yogesh Samsi. He has completed the tabla Visharad course at the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Vidyalaya. Swapnil has received several prizes like the gold medal at the All India Inter-University Association,Youth Festival, National level. He has performed on Indian television and AIR. He has also provided tabla accompaniment to several vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers and has also presented solo recitals.

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Emmanuel Simon

Emmanuel Simon

Percussion

EMMANUEL SIMON Emmanuel Simon, initially trained as a Western classical pianist, is nowadays a professional percussionist and a versatile musician, having gathered over the years extensive knowledge, both practical and academic, in classical and contemporary Western music as well as in Latin, West-African and Indian Classical music fields. Settled in India since 2011, as a session musician and band leader of the Latin-jazz band The Latination, he has collaborated with many different artists for studio and TV recordings as well as live performances and toured all over India and South Asia in many prestigious auditoriums and festivals.  He is currently a full-time faculty and professor at School of Performing Arts, NMIMS University, Mumbai.  

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Collaborations

PAYTM Insider
PAYTM Insider
Royal Opera House, Mumbai
Royal Opera House, Mumbai

Event Video



Press Coverage

Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish Dance Ensemble

Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish Dance Ensemble

Friday, February 2, 2024 curlytales.com
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Essence of Cultures

Essence of Cultures

Sunday, February 11, 2024 Sunday Mumbai Mirror
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Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish dance ensemble

Crossroads: An Indo-Spanish dance ensemble

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Indian Express
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Blog

Jaipur Gharana Kathak

The Jaipur Gharana of Kathak is known for its unique style and emphasis on the Veer Ras. This dance form incorporates strong and swift movements that captivate the audience. It was conceived by Bhanu ji Maharaj, a renowned Kathak exponent. He learned the intricacies of Shiv Tandav from a saint, which greatly influenced his choreography. Bhanu ji Maharaj dedicated his life to preserving and passing on the cultural traditions through Kathak. The legacy of the Jaipur Gharana has been continued by subsequent generations, including Bhanu ji's grandson. This lineage has contributed to the evolution and refinement of Kathak. One notable aspect is the inclusion of Lasya, which represents Shrungar Ras or romantic sentiment in dance performances. With the help of initiatives like Gunijan Khana during the Rajput rule, brilliant artists like Navratanas (nine gems) entertained kings with their exceptional talents. These rulers played a crucial role in promoting and patronizing Kathak in the regions of Rajasthan, which eventually led to its popularity. In terms of gender representation, while traditionally Kathak was dominated by male performers in the Gharana, there has been an increasing trend towards women excelling in this art form as well.

 

What is Flamenco?

Flamenco is a captivating art form that encompasses various elements such as songs, dances, and instrumental music. Originating from the southern region of Spain, it has deep roots in the folkloric musical traditions of the Roma people. Specifically, Flamenco is strongly associated with the Spanish regions of Andalusia, Extremadura, and Murcia.


Elements of Flamenco

The primary elements that form Flamenco are known as "Cante" (singing), "Toque" (guitar playing), "Baile" (dance), "Jaleo" (singing and choruses), "Palmas" (hand clapping), and "Pitos" (finger snapping). Each element contributes to the rich tapestry of this expressive art form. Cante, or singing, is a central component of Flamenco, showcasing powerful vocals filled with raw emotions and often telling stories of love, pain, and longing. Toque refers to the intricate guitar playing that accompanies the singing and dancing. The guitar serves as both a melodic instrument and a rhythmic foundation for other performers.

Baile, or dance, is another integral aspect of Flamenco. Dancers skillfully interpret the music through their movements, expressing intense emotions through precise footwork and graceful hand gestures. Jaleo involves singing in support of the main vocalist and choruses that add depth to the overall performance. In addition to these vocal and dance elements, Flamenco incorporates rhythmic accompaniment provided by Palmas (hand clapping) and Pitos (finger snapping). Palmas create intricate rhythms by clapping hands together in various patterns, while Pitos add percussive accents using finger snaps.

 

Historical Indian Connection with Flamenco

There is a popular belief that Flamenco was inspired by the music of India, brought by members of the gypsy culture to the European continent. Some historical references cite the migration of the Roma people to southern Spain from the states of Rajasthan in India between the 9th and 14th centuries. These communities brought with them a large repertoire of songs, dances, and musical instruments, including tambourines, bells, and wooden castanets. Over the years, the folkloric musical traditions from India merged with the music of the Sephardic Jews and the Moors, resulting in the modern-day Flamenco. However, some popular stories also suggest the prior existence of Flamenco in Andalusia before the Roma arrived from India.

 

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