Undertake an African-Indian dance pilgrimage

THE Flatfoot Dance Company presents Sadhana at the Drama Theatre, Playhouse from 23 to 26 March.

This newest offering from the same acclaimed team that brought the award-winning Bhakti to Durban is choreographed by Lliane Loots, who once again, steps boldly into Eastern mystical philosophy and its confluence with African rhythms and dance to create a dance theatre feast for the senses.

“It is a rare and precious moment for me to make dance work that allows for a more inward and contemplative artistic journey,” said Loots. “And so I am relishing this creative process that allows me to collaborate with Durban’s finest dance and musical talent. The very make-up of the cast of dancers and musicians tells a story of multiple histories and identities and so the chance to explore what being South African means to all of us in our own divergent, artistic ways, is the very fabric of Sadhana.”

Loots joins forces with the six Flatfoot Dance Company dancers – Sifiso Khumalo, Tshediso Kabulu, Mthoko Mkhwanazi, Jabu Siphika, Kim Mccusker-Bartlett and Zinhle Nzama, who bring their own brand of contemporary African dance that is seeing this company being invited all over the world.

For Sadhana, they are joined by Kathak aficionado and master, Manesh Mahara, known for his intrepid Kathak solo work. This is his third performance collaboration with Loots. “Manesh is probably one of South Africa’s finest dancers at the moment and both myself and Flatfoot have been graced to work collaboratively with him over the past three years. His ability to share his own Kathak style so generously with us and his ability to cross borders into contemporary dance, makes him the biggest jewel in the Sadhana ‘crown’. Sometimes, in rehearsal, I get so mesmerised by his beauty as a dancer that I completely forget my role as choreographer,” added Loots.

Sadhana is a Sanskrit word that means (in loose translation) a journey towards enlightenment that honours both intellectual, emotional and spiritual seeking. Sadhana is a term rooted in Eastern mystical philosophy and Loots, as choreographer, comes to this to encompass a type of journeying we all do as South Africans as we fight for memory and the promises of our own ‘enlightenment’. Sadhana is about what we are prepared to shed in our own voyages to decolonise both the mind and body. Politically powerful and deeply beautiful to watch.

It works on a kind of fusion or trans-cultural dance language that uses the rhythms of classical Indian dance styles (specifically Kathak) overlaid on the African contemporary dancing body – be these ballet or contemporary trained. The work itself has the aesthetics of a long pilgrimage that is taken by both dancer and audience as we journey into the heart of what defines us as African – as both social and spiritual beings.

Stalwart South African musician Madala Kunene whose unique African guitar rhythms set up the sound score of the work, integral to the piece. He is accompanied by djembe drummer Mandla Matsha and tabla player Revash Dookhi.

Filmmaker and long-time collaborator with Loots and Flatfoot, Karen Logan creates the video installations for Sadhana and continues her keen attention to creating insightful and visually beautiful landscapes that echo Loots’s choreographic visions.

Lighting is by award winning designer Wesley Maherry whose creations have found a base in Flatfoot’s work over the past 14 years.

Sadhana runs as an ‘in association production’ with the Playhouse Company from 23 to 25 March at 7.30pm and on 26 March at 3pm at the Drama Theatre (Playhouse Complex). Tickets at R85, with students, scholars, pensioners paying R65, can be purchased through Computicket.