A new collaboration from two of the finest Kathak contemporary dancers on the world stage, Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas is set to be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Telling the story of a taboo relationship between an older woman and a younger man, Mehek is a powerful and mesmerising duet, showing a physical exploration of the human heart, its desires, courage, and resilience. Mehek marks the first full length duet of Mangaldas’ illustrious 50-year career and is Hippodrome Associate Aakash Odedra Company’s first major production since Samsara which has been touring the world to great acclaim since its creation in 2022.
Derived from the Hindi word for fragrance, the title Mehek alludes to the enduring power of memory and the essence of love itself. As the story unfolds, elements of nature will be explored with a set of mirrors by Tina Tzoka evoking the expansive waters of the sea, complimented by an epic and intimate score by composer Nicki Wells.
Live on-stage music will be performed by Faraz Ahmed alongside two Indian percussionists, Ashish Gangani and Hiren Chate. At the start of the creative process, the company worked with over 450 elders from communities across Leicester who were taking part in Mehek Live, a major learning and participation project funded by a Nationally Significant Project Grant from Arts Council England.
Some of their personal stories and memories of life and love, told to Aakash Odedra, dramaturg Karthika Naïr and musician Hiren Chate, have fed into the final piece. Mehek will be at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 9 April.
