Dance

A CLASSIC ballet has been re-imagined as a powerful Indian dance, heading for Bradford this spring.

Choreographer and performer Seeta Patel presents The Rite of Spring in the classical Indian dance style, Bharatanatyam, with a cast of six performers.

Composer Igor Stravinsky wrote The Rite of Spring, a ballet and orchestral concert widely considered his masterpiece, for the 1913 season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. When it premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the avant-garde music and choreography caused a sensation and it continues to be influential over a century later.

“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," says Neeta. "But this will be the first time ever it will be done with the Bharatanatyam dance form."

The show is at Bradford arts centre Kala Sangam on Thursday, May 23. "I was at Kala Sangam in October with my one woman show Not Today’s Yesterday in October. It’s been great rehearsing The Rite of Spring in the lovely studios, I look forward to presenting the show there,” says Seeta.

Her production is "an exciting flirtation between East and West", showcasing some of the finest international Indian classical dance talent as the story is re-told through intricate rhythmic footwork and geometric, dynamic movement.

Stravinsky’s epic score gains a fresh perspective in this new production through the use of Bharatanatyam, the dancers’ interpretation of the rhythms, and production design referencing the parched earth, the need for spring rain and the birth of new life.

“We’ve 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,” says Seeta.

* For tickets call (01274) 303340