A choreographer and dancer rooted in the tradition of his practice, and a creative interpreter of stories that need to be ‘felt’ – Akram Khan has revolutionized the world of dance. His deeply moving style is simultaneously poetic, innovative and experiential underpinned by intelligently crafted narrative structures. With his bilingual mastery of Kathak and contemporary dance, he has developed a uniquely individual voice as a protagonist of cross-cultural encounters. It is this very encounter, that provokes a personal need for this new creation: a unique work featuring an ensemble of seven renowned artists of Indian Classical Dance (including Khan himself) and seven live Indian Classical musicians.

Drawing from his deep-seated connection to traditional practices and his ability to weave narratives through movement, Khan’s Gigenis transcends time, invoking the collective memories of our civilisation. Gigenis represents not just a performance but a profound statement— a testament to the enduring resonance of tradition in a rapidly changing world.

“In Modern thinking, we are often taught, that we must see it in order to believe it. However, in the past, my grandparents felt, that we must believe in it, in order to see it. Hence, the latter approach has always been my steady compass when I am in creation of anything. Which is the reason I am now returning back to my roots, to my tradition, to my past which has always informed my present. This work is a coming together of memories of a memory for our collective love and devotion towards classical Indian dance forms that have been with us since our childhood. And what excites me most, is that for the first time in my career I am delving into a project where I will be directing a group of extraordinary soloist artists through the lens of my contemporary sensibilities, that I have acquired over time… The theme is based on explorations of love, loss, despair and innocence, that will manifest through the language of Indian classical dance and live music forms.

Right now, there is an urgent part of me, that feels strongly, and with conviction, that we have sadly, collectively lost touch with nature, with Mother Earth, and with ancient myths… and so, I feel there is a need to once again listen to the ones that are deeply rooted in nature, and who very much embody the ancient and future generations of this earth.” 

– Akram Khan