East Meets West at the 2009 Salisbury International Arts Festival
East Meets West at the 2009 Salisbury International Arts Festival
This year’s Salisbury International Arts Festival comes with a flavour of India. From music and dance to film and literature, audiences can see an exciting range of Indian inspired events. This cultural focus blends perfectly with the Festival‘s other themes of ‘spirit’ and ‘water’ which will weave through the programme of world class traditional and contemporary arts events.
Festival-goers are offered a unique opportunity to see the superb twelve-member dance company Abhinava from Bangalore who will travel especially to the UK for this event. Rooted in the Indian dance tradition of Kathak and Bharatanatyam, Abhinava fuses the traditional with the new. The music is a melding of traditional Indian classical music with a wide range of global music, including world, Spanish and jazz. Each dance composition is carefully crafted with intricate choreography and thematic costumes.
Another highlight is Srishti, the dynamic Indian dance company based in London, who will perform a triple bill of short dances inspired by British Lads Culture. The first is titled Bend it… let’s play football! This testosterone-charged, peacock-like display of skill uses the complex footwork that football and the Indian dance form, Bharata Natyam, share. Chemistry is the lovers’ reunion after a tiff. This passionate duet, laced with vigorous but playful rhythmic passages creates a romantic and fiery dance. In the critically acclaimed final piece Quick!, eight ambitious young businessmen jostle and compete for attention.
In an inspiring programme of events, the Festival’s featured artist - composer, producer and virtuoso tabla player Kuljit Bhamra-will collaborate with a range of artists, from one of Britain’s finest jazz musicians, Andy Sheppard to early music ensemble, the Orlando Consort. He will also accompany a silent film and will present a unique sunset performance at the ancient site of Stonehenge featuring the dancers of Shrishti, Y Yadavan’s Indian vocals, percussionist Sandeep Raval and the drummers of Taala. Celebrated as one of the founders of Bhangra music, Kuljit has also written film scores for countless movies, including Bend it like Beckham, and will talk about this part of his work.
Audiences can immerse themselves in an evening of Indian music and food at Music for the Mind and Soul being held alongside the river in the beautiful grounds of the Wardrobe Museum Gardens. This intimate experience features Rakesh Chaurasia playing the bamboo flute with Vijay Ghate accompanying on the tabla. They are joined by the UK’s Indian classical music ensemble Tarang, performing The Four Seasons and by maestro musician and sarod-player Dr Rajeeb Chakraborty.
The film programme features a mixture of classic films and new releases inspired by the cultural focus on India. Highlights include: Devdas, an Indian story based on Romeo & Juliet, which is the most expensive Bollywood film ever made; the UK premiere of Amal which tells the story of a friendship between an eccentric billionaire and a kind hearted auto rickshaw driver; Pather Panchali, often cited by critics as one of the best films ever made; and A Throw of Dice, a classic of silent Indian cinema which has been newly restored by the BFI and features a new orchestral score by producer and composer Nitin Sawhney. Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to meet several directors and actors for Q&As at the screenings including: actor Rupinder Nagra, star and co-producer of Amal and Rosemary Rawcliffe, Director of Women of Tibet: The Great Mother.
The Festival’s 2009 theme of India also provides the inspiration for events held at Playday: The Big Play, a free family event on the last day of half term, where children can take part in a range of activities such as junk modelling, rangoli design, music and storytelling.
Children and families can also enjoy Indian themed music and activities at the Festival Finale held on the Cathedral Green. Bands playing at the Finale include: Kissmet,a band at the forefront of the British Asian fusion scene and Ku-Da-Mix, a group created by the Festival’s featured artist Kuljit Bhamra and David Braun-White who was musical director of the hugely popular Les Miserables.
A range of artists are also running workshops and schools events throughout the Festival. These include: virtuoso bamboo flute player Rakesh Chaurasia; the Abhinava Dance Company; Kuljit Bhamra, who will provide some hot tips on drumming; and the Orlando Consort.
For details of the full programme which please visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk.
For further information please contact Emma Lawson on 07768 738 345 or email emma.lawson@globalnet.co.uk
Booking Information:
Tickets can be purchased in person from Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury City Hall or the Festival Office.
Tickets can be purchased by phone or online:
Box Office: 0845 241 9651
To book online visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
The Salisbury International Arts Festival has a distinguished history of presenting international arts events both traditional and contemporary across 16 days of celebrations each summer. The Festival has developed into a major annual UK multi-arts event, presenting every major artform, in the stunning setting of in and around Salisbury, Wiltshire. Participants and audiences travel from far and wide.
The Salisbury International Arts Festival is supported by Friends Provident, Salisbury District Council, Wiltshire County Council and Arts Council England – South West.