Award-winning choreographer and performer Seeta Patel has re-imagined The Rite of Spring in the classical Indian dance style of Bharatanatyam.
Written by Igor Stravinsky for the 1913 season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, the première at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris caused a sensation.
Patel said, “The Rite of Spring has been choreographed by many different artists and companies over the years: Nijinsky, Pina Bausch, Maurice Bejart to name a few. But this will be the first time ever it will be done with the Bharatanatyam dance form.
"This incredible, exhilarating score is truly a wonderful challenge to take on as a choreographer. As I’ve been unpicking and deciphering the work, I have been using my understanding of South Indian classical music structures to help bring into focus the wonderful patterns and textural developments Stravinsky uses to create tension, joy, foreboding and more. This really is a work of visceral power and depth and seamlessly compliments the beauty of Bharatanatyam.
“We’ve also played with lighting design and make-up effects and our two costume designers, who live in Bangalore, have inspired the look of the production with their beautiful textures.”
The Rite of Spring tours to Newcastle, Ipswich, Leicester, Salford, Birmingham, Bournemouth, London, Nottingham and Bradford from 9 to 23 May.