OBSERVER: Songs of the Bulbul
British-Indian dancer and choreographer Aakash Odedra’s award-winning solo show Songs of Bulbul will be presented at Arts Centre Melbourne from February 3-7.
Winner of the Best Show Award at Edinburgh International Festival, this solo dance piece brings together the art of Kathak dance and Sufi storytelling to create a dialogue between intense physicality and a spiritual journey.
Inspired by the ancient Sufi myth of a bulbul (or nightingale) held in captivity, the work uses the beauty of this songbird’s melody as a metaphor for the fleeting moments of dance, and life itself.
Bound by its constraints, the bird’s despair deepens as its final moments approach, and it sings more sweetly as its end draws near, delivering one last heartbreaking song before its soul departs.
From Persia to the Indian subcontinent, from freedom to captivity, Songs of the Bulbul explores the soul’s journey towards divine love and enlightenment.
In this extraordinary performance, Odedra poses a universal question – will we remain confined to the material world like the caged bird, or will we find freedom in the ultimate release?
Developed with choreographer Rani Khanam and composer Rushil Ranjan, Odedra combines Ranjan’s new score with the music, dance and poetry traditions of Sufism to create an ambitious work that is said to be both ferocious and contemplative.
Performance Season: February 3-7
Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne
Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: British-Indian dancer and choreographer Aakash Odedra.
Photo: Kuldeep Goswami

