Following an incredibly competitive process, alumnus Akshay Sharma - a 2017 BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance graduate - is one of two artists to have been awarded the first ever Kala Sangam Commission.
Akshay will receive £10,000 towards the development of a new dance work that will be performed at Bradford Arts Centre in 2025.
The Commission was launched in November 2023 as part of Kala Sangam’s 30th anniversary celebrations and has been designed to support the creation of new performances that feature classical Indian artforms (including dance, music and theatre).
With a working title What Did The Fire Burn? Akshay’s new work will explore themes around migration and queerness. The commission will see Akshay choreographing on multiple dancers for the first time in a piece that also includes classical Indian music and poetry. The piece will challenge stereotypes of what it means to be an Indian dancer through the use of club culture and other dance styles.
Speaking of the award, Akshay says:
“I am thrilled and thankful to receive this commission. This will allow me to expand my journey and I’m excited to create a work which celebrates difference, power and beauty. This is a new beginning and I can’t wait to create this work.”
Kala Sangam, an intercultural arts hub, aims to bring people and communities together to create and experience high-quality diverse art, to increase understanding and awareness of different cultures, and to provide talent development pathways for young people and emerging artists into a career in the arts.
Meera Patel the second recipient of the award.
The successful artists were selected from over 40 applications by a panel led by Kala Sangam’s founder and former Artistic Director Dr. Geetha Upadhyaya OBE. The panel also included Kala Sangam Trustees (and practicing artists) Rashmi Sudhir and James Wilson, Yorkshire Dance’s Artist Development Producer João Maio, independent Artist Jane Chan and Kala Sangam staff.
Alex Croft, Creative Director of Kala Sangam said:
“We were blown away to receive so many applications for this commission. Both Meera and Akshay are working at the cutting edge of Indian dance and we’re really excited to be working with them over the next 18 months to help bring their visions to the stage.”
