Sonia Sabri at Latitude and WOMAD Festivals

Published: 19 June 2014
Reporter: Vera Liber

Sonya Sabri in Ekalya

On July 19 at Latitude and on July 26 at WOMAD Sonia Sabri will bring Ekalya to the dance stage with her band, led by master tabla player Sarvar Sabri (the Company's musical director) and musicians on sitar, harmonium and vocals.

Ekalya (from the Sanskrit ‘solo’) is a solo composition, a contemporary / classical celebration of Persian and Indian artistry expressed through the intricate language of Kathak dance that weaves dance with music and features Sonia Sabri’s signature footwork, whipping turns, complex rhythms and storytelling mime and gesture.

Dancer, choreographer, teacher and artistic director of her own company, which she co-founded with her husband Sarvar Sabri, Sonia Sabri is Associate Artist at mac, Birmingham’s leading arts complex, and tours nationally and internationally.

Sonia choreographs most of the company’s work—Red, You, Kathakbox, Jugni—and has collaborated with choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh to produce Parallels, Drishti and Neon Dream and with dancer-choreographer Ash Mukherjee on Kaavish and Labyrinth, which is currently on tour.

Sonia’s vision is to present Kathak in contemporary ways for a wide audience and to work with collaborators and performers whose disciplines range from music and dance to poetry, design and film.

“I’m so excited about performing at Latitude and WOMAD this summer,” said Sonia. “We’ve heard so much about both festivals and feel very lucky to be invited to perform. We have energetic presentations of dance and live music at both, which is our speciality.

"WOMAD has also invited Sarvar and me to be part of the Taste the World session, where a master chef is going to cook one of our favourite Indian dishes and feed the audience. Alongside the cooking, Sarvar and I will be sharing some chat, rhythm and melodies. Good food and good music and dance—sounds like what life should be about!”

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