Previous Events

Three artists, two sets: Homebound Session brings together Anhad + Tanner & Samar Mehdi in an evening of soulful music. Duo Anhad + Tanner mix Asian underground sounds, Indian electronica, and contemporary jazz to create cinematic music. Bhopal based singer-songwriter Samar Mehdi, known for his poetic Urdu lyrics and skilled percussive guitar work, will be opening the show.// About Homebound Session: Sometimes you leave your abode, seeking that unknown thrill, crazy adventures and endless possibilities. Sometimes you don’t. It might not be about leaving your home and then coming back, it might just be about staying where you are. Home is a word, Your people, and uncountable emotions. It's the bicycle on the way, the sight of that familiar face. It's the cake that you bake, the smell of your room that you inhale, the drawer that collects things random, the songs of the childhood you hum. Homebound is that smell, that sight and everything that feels just right. It's the peace and the ease when you say, I'm home. *For ages 16 & above.

Accompanied by guest instrumentalists, singer-songwriter and guitarist Bhrigu Sahni will be closing the North India tour of his debut album 'What Is Now'. Sahni's music, inspired by the minimalism of Michael Hedges and the improvisations of Keith Jarret, carries the soulfulness of Indian dhrupad and folk music. His mellow tunes and warm vocals combine with earthy projections and light design to give the audience an immersive listening experience. *For ages 16 and above.

New York based singer-song writer Bhrigu Sahni will be a performing a laidback acoustic gig on a late Saturday afternoon. His work draws inspiration from the minimalist style of Michael Hedges and soulful Indian classical and folk music. With a loose and informal stage to perform on, his mellow tunes and warm, soothing vocals create a conversational mood while his meaningful lyrics add a layer of depth to the atmosphere.

OddLab is an initiative for experimental performances to be shared with curious audiences. 'Momentum' is a contemporary dance piece that explores the idea of modernism through the continuous increase in the pace of life. The dancers slowly build the movement, starting from just lying on the floor to jerky, animalistic and almost aggressive. The audience finds themselves pulled along, and participating in the evolving energy and movement. DJ Franco produces live deep bass beats adding to the feverish and chaotic movements. Dramaturgy by Rainald Endrass; Choreography & direction by Rafaële Giovanola; Performed by András Déri, Álvaro Esteban & Werner Nigg; Light Design by Marc Brodeur. *For ages 16 & above.

Questioning Frontality/Changing Body is a gripping Bharatnatyam performance following the classical repertoire. It begins with pure dance pieces composed of sculpturesque movements and gradually transitions into more expressive storytelling narratives. The central piece is a heartwarming tale about female friendships with the 'Sakhi' or friend of the heroine as its protagonist. The staging is designed to create multiple fronts of viewing and the dancers introduce elements of eye contact and bodily touch in a departure from the traditional staccato movement of bodies. * For ages 12 & above.

Persian Classical Music, characterised by its raw earthy sound, is similar in pacing to a Hindustani Classical performance, but without the set structure of a raag. Three artists from Tehran present a Persian 'humnawazi' reminding us of the roots of our own musical heritage. Melancholic folk melodies and improvisations generated by simple instruments are reminiscent of the rich cultured past of Iran. Kamancheh (string) artist Ardeshir Kamkar - member of the eminent Kamkar family of Kurdish folk music and Behdad Babaei on the Sehtar (string), collaborate with Fakhroddin Ghaffari on the Tombak (percussion) to present a hypnotic and soulful evening.

I M U R is a three-piece electronic R&B band from Vancouver - known for their bass heavy beats and sultry r&b vocals. Louise Burns is a singer-songwriter also from Canada. An acclaimed solo musician and multi-instrumentalist, her music is popularly described as having equal parts grit and gloss. Mixtape presents both these artists showcasing their individual sets. Prepare for an evening of dancing with tunes reminiscent of the 90s and newer electronic jams. For ages 16 and above.

One woman alone on stage with a single white sheet, begins to explore ideas from Space and Time. What unfolds on stage is a stream of consciousness straddling dreams and reality with an emotional tale at its core. Astro physics, art and philosophy are masterfully woven together in this minimalist experimental performance - capturing all the angst and beauty of dealing with the unknown. For ages 16 & above.

Merely hours before their mandatory dance number, five bridesmaids gather to vent their frustrations and drink away their woes. What follows is a hilarious drama that reinterprets relationships between women. After opening to packed houses in Mumbai this situational comedy about a big fat Delhi wedding returns to OddBird Theatre. For ages 18 and above.

In a small North Indian town absorbed in Navratra festivities, a beguiling event turns everyone’s world upside-down. Rumour has it that the townspeople are transforming into mythical beasts called Mahish. Eugene Ionesco's play Rhinoceros is reimagined in an Indian socio-political context. A dark comedy that challenges the audience and commonly accepted cultural narratives, Mahish is marked by its twisted storyline, strong performances and idiosyncratic sound design. For ages 16 & above.

The Gangani family name, inextricably tied to the Jaipur Gharana of kathak, is carried forward by the upcoming generation. Here they share their repertoire in various percussion instruments while experimenting with traditional forms, which then culminate in a family jugalbandi. Spearheaded by Mohit Gangani, this exemplary family will spend the evening sharing their personal trysts with the tabla, pakhawaj and their own forays into the world of Kathak. For ages of 14 & above.

Satyabhama is the story of Krishna's second wife performed in the Kuchipudi style by Pernia Qureshi. Using playful and feminine movements, she attempts to reconcile the heroine's pride and self worth with her love for Lord Krishna. Qureshi, a disciple of Gurus Raja and Radha Reddy in Delhi, will be performing with a live music ensemble using spoken dialogue and visual elements to narrate this story. For ages 16 and above.