How would you describe the relationship between contemporary and kathak dance?
Kathak is a north Indian classical dance form. It’s very much about conveying stories, particularly from Hindu mythology. It also has Islamic influences because of the Mongols invading India and adopting kathak into their courts. What I love about kathak is that it has two different compartments. One part is very mathematical and rhythmic, physical. The other part is sophisticated in telling stories through gestures, the face, and mime. What’s interesting is that it’s very pedestrian in its way. The masters developed a lot of kathak from what they saw in public life. In that sense, it has a close connection with the roots of contemporary dance: Contemporary dance was about rebelling—rebelling against classicism, emphasizing the individual voice. It also took a lot of inspiration from its immediate surroundings rather than from books or teachers. Bahok means “to carry” in Bengali—can you explain the significance of that word to you? In several interviews people asked me where my home is
