CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKS & PROJECTS
Paridhi (2023-2026)
A contemporary expression of Kathak exploring the paradox of human boundaries within a boundless world, utilizing movement, spoken word, and sound.
Originally conceived in 2023; premiered in Made in Oxford – Moving with The Times (Spring 2026) at Pegasus Theatre.
Creative Team: Led by Artistic Director Anuradha Chaturvedi Seth and Choreographer Shyam Dattani.
Artists: Features emerging talents Aabha Sharma (Drishti Dance), Jhanvee Patel, Aayush Patel (Yuva Gati Alumni), and musician Janan Sathiendran.
Support: Funded by Dancin’ Oxford through Made in Oxford Commission and Pegasus Theatre.
Saket (2024)
A traditional choreographic work exploring the transcendental facets of Lord
Rama as detailed in the Shiva Samhita and Vashishat Samhita. The piece invokes Ramtattva—the elemental self—symbolising the soul’s journey towards the spiritual enlightenment.
Premiered at The Stories from Ramayana (Curve Theatre, Leicester, October 2024). Featured at Avartan’24 (Norden Farm Centre, Maidenhead) and the Diwali Glow event (OVADA Gallery, Oxford, November 2024).
Aur Ek Antaraal (2021)
A Short Dance FilmDerived from the literal meaning of Antaraal—a suspension or pause in time—this short screen dance film explores the journey of movement through the stillness that frames it. Every pause holds a silent tension: a capsule of leashed energy, anticipation, and the potential for transformation.
Aur Ek Antaraal is a cinematic adaptation of a full-length stage work. The original piece premiered at The Place, London (Resolution Festival, 2016) and Pegasus Theatre, Oxford (Moving with the Times, 2016). The work was reimagined and expanded using a specially commissioned text by Dr Rashmi Chaturvedi. The dance film first premiered in Dance Reading Festival (2022) and was later screened in Brighton Film Festival (2025).
Creative Collaborators: Rauni Barros (Filmmaker), Omari ‘Motion’ Carter (Screen Dance Mentor), and Debbie Fionbarr (Artistic Consultant).
Funding: Supported using public funding by Arts Council England through the Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant.
Sanket (2019–2020)
An experimental research and development project blending contemporary Kathak, visual arts, and music to explore how cardinal directions influence human consciousness and spatial awareness.
First draft presented at Moving With The Times (Pegasus Theatre, Spring 2020).
Support: Funded by Arts Council England’s National Lottery Fund, Oxford Dance Forum’s Evolution Fund, and supported by Dance Reading.
Re-Textured (2018)
A multi-layered production that redefines traditional Kathak frameworks, dissecting rhythmic formulations and formatting classical movement through a modern aesthetic.
Presented at the Offbeat Festival (2018), Tarner Festival, Brighton (2021), and Dance Reading Festival (2022).
Aur Ek Antaraal (2016–2018)
On these shores of infinity
Bound by an ancient affinity
Deep in the shadows of that incandescent star
Time slips slowly, relentlessly bead by bead
An endless shattering into myriad prisms..diffusing all..
Till.. all is time and time is all.
— Original poem ‘Aur ek Antaraal’ by Dr. Rashmi Chaturvedi, English adaptation above by Mallika Dasgupta. A contemporary Kathak production adapted from Antaraal. Inspired by Hindi prose from Dr. Rashmi Chaturvedi (with English adaptation by Mallika Dasgupta), the piece examines the relationship between motion and stillness.
Read the full review of Aur Ek Antaraal and Re-Textured by clicking the link below.
Antaraal (2015)
There we have stopped,
while the world stands still,
and the endless days that were following us, too have stopped.
There we stand, meeting after a long time,
in a conversation that catches an unfinished past.
Having moved far, been lived, told and retold our story is now hand in hand with emptiness,
and we’re left, pondering an elusive end.
— Mohan Rana (Translation by Georgina Tate)
An exquisite contemporary Kathak work bridging movement, music, and poetry. It explores verses by diaspora poet Mohan Rana alongside a score by Malcolm Atkins and Ustad Gulshan Bharati.
Premiered at Resolution! (The Place, London) and Moving with the Times (Pegasus Theatre, Oxford). Developed under the mentorship of Debbie Fionbarr.
Media: View Work Sample
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0VvtZx-2BY&feature=youtu.be
Read Review by Nicholas Minns:
Silent Melody (2014)
Concept: A work-in-progress dialogue between Bharatanatyam and Kathak, translating the visual imagery of ancient Indian temple sculptures and paintings into fluid, contemporary choreography.
Media: View Work Sample
Panchtatva (2013)
The Five Elements (2013–2021). A dynamic multimedia production exploring the five cosmic blocks of life (earth, water, fire, air, and space) and their universal connection to the five human senses.
The series visualises the cycle of nature and the ultimate dissolution of the physical body back into these essential elements. The initial work-in-progress debuted at the Old Fire Station, Oxford (November 2013), with subsequent regional tours to Swindon and Maidenhead.
Support: Jointly supported by the Oxford Dance Forum and Old Fire Station through the Homebed’s Cultivator scheme, alongside funding from Oxford City Council’s Culture Fund Pilot.
Media: View Element and Air Video by clicking the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVGvUrw6Jvg
View Element and Fire Video by clicking the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwOmA2LyaGI
Choreography by Anuradha Chaturvedi and Score by Ustad Gulshan Bharti.
Presence (2013)
A collaboration of Kathak and Ballet, a serendipitous encounter with Ballet dancer Ségolène Tarte, where, rather than attempting to blend Kathak and Ballet, each dance form remains close to its own tradition whilst establishing a subtle dialogue. Information Classification: General From this dialogue, the refined presence of each tradition emerges into a harmonious duet, a subtle opening of doors to discovery and understanding. This work was both ground-breaking and enthralling. Review Oxford Dance Writers Blog by clicking here: Oxford Dance Writers Blog
Quicksilver (2011)
An improvisational solo created to transcend classical structures by pairing the movement language of Kathak with contemporary music. Originally performed at Robinson College, Cambridge (2011); later featured at the Exuberant Trust Gala at Pegasus Theatre (September 2013). View Work Sample by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbJitVEICEM
Ritu Chakra (2011)
An interpretive Kathak piece celebrating the arrival of spring through a live dialogue with music and spoken word. Co-created with Oxford-based musicians Malcolm Atkins and Pete McPhail for the Moving with the Times festival, organized by Oxford Dance Forum and Pegasus Theatre. Read the review here: The Oxford Times
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