WATCH: Globally acclaimed Kathak Rockers set to bring heat to South Africa
JOBURG – Tour host Jazzy Masala to forge creative collaboration between India and South Africa through workshops and performances.
Globally acclaimed dance group, Kathak Rockers, is headed to South Africa for a limited season of performances and workshops that will play an important role in forging an ongoing creative relationship between South Africa and India.
Hosted by Johannesburg-based Jazzy Masala Creative, the tour offers dance aficionados and those who relish being immersed in different cultural experiences the opportunity to witness Kathak Rocker’s electrifying Indian dance fusion performances live.
Led by Kumar Sharma (India) and Svetlana Tulasi (Russia), Kathak Rockers offer up a spectacular interpretation of Kathak, one of the major forms of Indian classical dance. As witnessed on multiple platforms, Kathak Rockers inject contemporary energy and passion into this historic dance form.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Kathak Rockers to South Africa. Experiencing a performance by this troupe is guaranteed to lift spirits and leave audience members with a lifelong love for this particular form of dance,” said Versha Magan, founder of Jazzy Masala.
In the spirit of partnership, the live performances will include 6 dancers from India and 10 from South Africa, providing a fantastic showcase of collaboration and creative skills exchange in action. Alongside two unmissable performances, Jazzy Masala is hosting two workshops that will focus on the transfer of skills between the troupe and a range of South African-based participants, from professional dancers to dance schools and artists.
“I am confident that the upcoming Kathak Rockers tour to South Africa will play a significant role in creating an international platform for our own artists to perform with this incredible troupe. It will also further strengthen the arts and culture relationship between India and South Africa, which already has a rich history and deep connection,” Magan said.
Co-leader of Kathak Rockers’ tour to South Africa, Kumar Sharma, is a national scholarship holder in Kathak from India’s Ministry of Culture and an active researcher of around 20 Folk Dances of India. Among many other accomplishments, Sharma has choreographed multiple performances for Indian reality television shows including DID Super Moms, Jhalak Dikhla Ja 6 and 7, Boogi Woogi, India’s Got Talent 5 and more current, Super Dancer chapter 3 on Sony TV
Born into a mixed Russian and Indian family, Svetlana Tulasi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kathak Dance from Prayag Sangeet Samiti University of Indian Classical Music & Dance (Allahabad, India). One of her many career highlights was performing at the opening ceremony of ISSF World Cup 2019 in Delhi, together with Kumar Sharma and Kathak Rockers.
“The global space of collaboration is ever increasing, and countries need to seize the opportunity to grow and connect. Having the Kathak Rockers here drives this new age thinking of bringing the global to South Africa,” said Magan.
Watch the Kathak Rockers in action below:
