Dancer/choreographer Sonia Sabri talks about modern Kathak and her new show Parallels

A big part of Sonai Sabri Company’s identity is its blend of classical and modern dance. Why did you first set out to give traditional Indian Kathak a contemporary spin? What are the effects?

My own curiosity about the form. I wanted to see how many dimensions I can give it, how far can I give it my individuality without it losing its essence.

I have and continue to ask questions and seek new stimulus to reinvent the art form from within. Traditional Kathak dance encapsulates the traditional culture of the Indian subcontinent. For me this is one aspect of the dance form.

I use Kathak as a language to explore different subjects, to say new things and for me it was important to use the technique to reflect British culture of the here and now, in which I live in and have been born and brought up with. I am developing a new strand of Kathak which I call Urban Kathak. This uses the stimulus of urban music, behaviour, culture you see especially among the younger members of our society. It’s fun, funky, fresh, and unpredictable. The effects are that our audiences are growing for the range of Kathak we demonstrate. We have audiences who come to enjoy the traditional and contemporary aspects of the form and the age range of the audiences are from young to the more mature generations.

The company has taken the work to places and to people of different cultural backgrounds where this art form would never be considered.

For example, some people think Indian dance is not for them because its traditional therefore it’s boring and irrelevant or it’s about Gods and Goddesses, for example.

With the contemporary take on Kathak it has allowed them to think differently or easier to penetrate new audiences as for them it appears more in keeping with current times or uses modern music, for example. Sonia Sabri Company aims to challenge and broaden the perception of Kathak and what is achievable in its physical and emotional expression.

Can you describe the way you have modernised the form?

Classical disciplines of dance and music are based on rules. Broadly speaking, contemporary disciplines are based on individual approach.

Contemporising a dance form like Kathak is careful balance of rules and individual approach otherwise it can loose the essence of the discipline and no longer retain the heart of the style.

And one can only think about giving an art form an individuality if one knows the rules before she/he can bend them.

A very simple and mundane example in the traditional classical form of Kathak is that if you do a hand movement with the right hand, then you must repeat it on the left side. By changing this, lets say doing right and then again right is unexpected and already begins to open the possibility of doing something different.

One builds up a vocabulary of the unexpected and complexity and thus extends the form and leads to the individual approach.

Inspiration of choreographic techniques from other dance styles is also additional information one can use.

In music, you can use different musical instruments, musicians from different disciples, and using the modern genre such as drum and bass.

The function of music in dance can vary too. It can be there to illustrate the movement or vice versa. It can be a soundscape - providing the mood or the environment the dance takes place in.

It moves the narrative forwards. Or it can be a conversation between movement and the music.

The contemporary relationship of dance and music is for them to co-exist and the traditional or expected way is for dance to illustrate the music.

You accompany this piece with live music, don’t you? What impact does live music have on the performance?

Live music with dance is a rare treat especially in current times.

Sonia Sabri Company makes an extra effort to collaborate with live musicians, such as in this show. The creative possibilities of dance and music are endless when performed live. Essentially Kathak is to be performed with live music as a major part of the art form is to improvise or jam.

Another key feature is the call and response between tabla and the dance artist. There also times when the audience are encouraged to participate, for example providing a simple rhythm through clapping. It’s a completely different and wholesome experience of performance .

What audience does your modern meets classical piece Parallels appeal to?

The range of pieces we present appeals to a wide audience. Those who come to see the classical pieces get a chance to see the contemporary pieces and although at first they may not be so sure about it they actually enjoy them and for their minds open up the possibilities of the presentation of an age old form. Those coming to see the contemporary work have the opportunity to experience the classical work and again end up enjoying it. They see how universal it is and has a feel-good factor to it, as well as appreciating technical skill. We have children right through to older members of the public come to performances and enjoy the work. The show is packed with rhythm, emotion, powerful movement and intricate gestures as well as the worlds of music and dance coming together so there is something there for everyone.

What do you hope audiences will learn from and take away from your performance?

That Kathak Indian dance is not old fashioned and not meant only for south Asian audiences.

It has a wide appeal across cultural backgrounds, ages, and experiences. Particularly our work presents many facets of the art form making it relevant and exciting for all. Dance is about joy, a journey of emotions, an expression of the inner-self as well as an entertaining display of physical excellence through technical. I want the audiences feel they have seen something out of this world. And I hope it will encourage them to see more dance and leave any preconceived ideas behind because they are likely to be pleasantly surprised.

Sonia Sabri Company performs Parallels at Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon. Jan 28. 7.30pm. Box office 020 8253 1030. £10/£7.50.