Talented performers gave an visitors at Festival place a taste of the exotic with Bollywood dancing.
International and regional dancers performed in Porchester Square at Festival Place shopping centre during the day on Saturday, September 4.
Live music accompanied performers Prashanti – a Kala the Arts youth dance company.
The day saw various Indian dance styles such as Bollywood and Odissi being performed by International professional dancers as well as pupils from Kala’s regular classes.
All dancers were wearing outfits provided by clothes chain Monsoon.
The MC was of the day was Coco P from Southampton who brought a taste of the Caribbean to the proceedings with lively introductions drawing in the crowds.The Carribbean percussionist was Taalis Barnhart all the way from Austria.
The event saw 1500 people watch throughout the day including the Mayor, Cllr Keith Chapman.
Sue Panter, Director of Kala The Arts, said: “ I am so glad I came to the performance last Saturday. It was such a good venue and really put Kala at the heart of the Basingstoke community.
“The programme and performances were excellent, varied and much appreciated by the audience. It was very pleasing to see how many people stopped to watch.”
“I think Kala has a very important role to play in developing awareness, appreciation and understanding of other cultures, both in its school work and public performances. This is something I have always felt strongly about during my many years as a director. As a large multicultural city it is very important for Basingstoke to recognise this role in promoting its varied cultures to live, work and play in harmony and thereby enriching each others lives.’’
Since 1999, charity Kala The Arts has provided educational workshops in South Asian and Indian Dance. The group’s work is based on the use of Indian dance and music in an educational context through school visits supplemented with community workshops and performances throughout the UK.
In 2008 the charity launched Katha, a project developed with schools in Popley. The project looked at creating dances by using stories in participants everday lives.
Regular classes in traditional Indian dance are held at Fairfields Art Centre, Council Road Basingstoke. For more information, contact Sushmita Pati 01252 346699 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
