Songs of Bulbul
choreography: Rani Khanam
music: Rushil Ranjan
scenography, stage manager: Emanuele Salamanca
lighting design, dramaturgy: Fabiana Piccioli
costumes: Kanika Thakur
rehearsal director: Dheerendra Tiwari
music performed by: Manchester Camerata / maestro: Melvin Tay
vocals: Sarthak Kalyani, Abi Sampa
choral vocals: Rushil Ranjan, Aakash Odedra
additional instrumentation: Janan Sathiendran (tabla), Praveen Prathapan (bansuri)
additional compositions: Abi Sampa, Danyal Dhondy, Shuheb Hasan, Amaan Ali
dancer: Aakash Odedra
duration: 55’
premiere: Edinburgh International Festival, 2024
This performance is created in association with Manchester Camerata, and during a residency at the Pillow Lab at Jacob’s Pillow.
Leveraging their common cultural heritage, Aakash Odedra and Rani Khanam seek to explore and research form that upholds the sanctity of traditional Sufi Kathak, a classical style imbued with profound spiritual nuance and rooted in the dance traditions of the Indian subcontinent, while also investigating its possibilities when viewed through a modern lens. With music composed and directed by Rushil Ranjan, “Songs of The Bulbul” is an immersive dialogue between traditional classical Indian dance and music, renowned for its precise rhythm and storytelling, and the innovative perspectives of contemporary forms and processes. This performance is the second collaboration between Aakash Odedra and Rushil Ranjan. An exploratory journey of two artists, which illuminate the cultural richness of the subcontinent, emphasising the extraordinary potential of its dance traditions when it engages with modern dance practice, assuring a dynamic blend of the old and new, tradition and innovation, spiritual and physical.
Born in Birmingham, Akash Odedra quickly made his way from an outstanding dance student to an internationally acclaimed choreographer. He received foundational training in Kathak and Bharatanatyam under revered gurus Nilima Devi, Chitralekha Bolar, Chhaya Kantaveh, and Asha Joglekar in both the UK and India. At age 15, Odedra moved to Mumbai, where he trained with Bollywood legend Shiamak Davar, invigorating his passion for dance and maturing his artistry. His unique synthesis of classical Indian and contemporary dance was further shaped by mentorship from Akram Khan and participation in international choreographic labs. Today, Odedra is celebrated as one of the UK’s most prolific and innovative performers. He creates and performs award-winning classical and contemporary dance works that tour internationally. He is widely regarded as one of the leading kathak dancers of his generation. His work is inspired by both ancient and modern stories and culture and is made with humanity, spirituality and soul. Odedra’s career is defined by a spirit of collaboration and a commitment to transcending artistic boundaries. He has forged partnerships with leading venues, visionary choreographers, and exceptional dancers and musicians worldwide, including working with Ravi Shankar in Shankar at the Royal Opera House and collaborations with Aditi Mangaldas, Akram Khan, Damien Jalet, Fabiana Piccioli, Sabrina Mahfouz, Rani Khanam and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. He has choreographed for and performed in the most prestigious halls in the world: including the Royal Albert Hall, the Lincoln Center, Symphony Hall Birmingham and the Royal Ballet. Odedra’s works have won multiple awards around the world, including Bessie Award in New York, Dora Award in Canada and Danza e Danza award in Italy. In 2025, he was voted Best Male Dancer at the UK National Dance Awards and also won Best Male Classical Performance: the first ever time this award has been given to a non-ballet performance. In 2021 he won a British Empire Medal for services to dance and in 2025 he was announced as an associate artist of Sadlers Wells.
Based in Leicester, Aakash Odedra Company exists to deliver exceptional creative experiences for audiences and participants and to help create a society that is happier and healthier through dance and the arts. Their mission is to create dance works through a synthesis of kathak, bharatanatyam, contemporary and Bollywood-jazz which push boundaries, responding to and drawing inspiration from contemporary issues. Aakash Odedra Company is a National Partner Organisation of Sadler’s Wells and one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations.
“Songs of the Bulbul” has the confidence of a performer who has found his place. It is a song of beauty and light and life.
© The Guardian ★★★★★
Odedra has said that the story speaks to the life of an artist, and that with each performance he gives part of his soul to the audience. It’s a rare gift to watch him. .
© The List ★★★★★
A work of exquisite beauty and sadness, Aakash Odedra’s brand new solo, is the kind of theatrical moment that stays with you forever. .
© The Scotsman ★★★★★
With clever, sometimes percussive feet, and elegant, purposeful arm movements, Odedra is impossible to look away from. .
© The Edinburgh Guide ★★★★★
