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Aashiyana
Dance Company consists of two of the most versatile dance artists,
Aruna Pun and Raj Bhogal who have been trained in the Classical
Indian Dance forms of 'Kathak' and 'Bharatnatyam'.
Within
their classical Indian dance routines, they include elements of
contemporary dance which has created a distinctive edge.
Aashiyana
have explored the use of music taken from different parts of the
world. They have choreographed dance routines using British Asian
music, Indian, Irish, Spanish and European music.
Aashiyana
have collaborated with dancers from different artistic backgrounds
and have choreographed routines with 'Capoeira' (Brazilian Martial
Art) and 'Bhangra Dancers' (North Indian Folk Dance). This collaboration
has seen the celebration of cross cultural diversity in performing
arts.
Aruna
Pun
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| Aruna
Pun |
Aruna
is a Birmingham-based physiotherapist, who has been trained in the
classical Indian dance form of Kathak.
Her
vibrant dance routines include the vocabulary of Kathak, with hints
of Contemporary, Club Jazz, African dance and Salsa.
Aruna
appreciates and is inspired by the current fusion style music, particularly
by acclaimed artists such as 'Nitin Sawhney'and 'Badmarsh &
Shri'.
Aruna
regularly holds dancercise classes, through which she promotes exercise
through dance. She believes dancing is the most enjoyable way to
keep fit!
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| Raj
Bhogal |
Raj
Bhogal
Raj
Bhogal is a Secondary School Teacher of Art & Design Graphics.
She specialises in the Classical Indian Dance form of 'Bharatnatyam'
under the guidance and teaching of Chitralekha Bolar.
Raj
is particularly inspired by Punjabi Bhangra and traditional Folk
Giddha music. Raj has taught classical and contemporary dance at
a local community centre and is currently teaching the art form
at her school. Her role within Aashiyana Dance Company is also to
design all the promotional art material.
Sohan
Kailey
Sohan
from Wolverhampton (pictured at the foot of the page) is a Bhangra
& contemporary dancer. He enjoys teaching the physical art of
Bhangra dance throughout educational establishments and community
groups as well as performing.
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| Sohan
Kailey |
Bhangra
is the popluar punjabi folk dance which originates form North East
India - an agricultural dance which celebrates the harvest season.
The movements of Bhangra are performed to exhilerating beats of
the drum (dhol) music.
The
Bhangra costume is very colourful which enhances the stage performance.
There are many other folk dances which come from the Bhangra industry
such as Dhammal, Sammi, Jhumar, Luddhi, Kara Bhangra. A lot of the
movements show the performer praying to the skies, sowing the fields,
digging the fields (gudni) cutting the crops (katana), placing the
crop onto the ox and cart (pariya & gaddha).
Bhangra
is a way of life in India and is celebrated by all at the colourful
Vaisakhi festival in India and across the world.
Daniel
Naghshineh & Michael Campbell
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| Daniel
& Michael |
Daniel
from Wolverhampton and Michael from Birmingham are Capoeira
artists. Capoeira the the Brazilian fight-dance.
Capoeira
incorporates diverse elements of African culture including dance,
music, acrobatics and various fighting forms.
This
style of fighting form disguised as dance has always been based
on the principle of surprise and improvisation.
The
African people who were enslaved by the colonial Portuguese were
forced to create an effective and unknown fighting form both as
a means of defence and to free them from slavery.
Once free, the African Brazilian people formed hidden communities
called Quilombos in the deep forest of the north east of Brazil
where they were able to develop the fighting skill, which today
we call Capoeira.
Where
have you seen us before?
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| Dancers
rehearsing |
Aruna
and Raj have both performed at 91热爆 Children in Need, 91热爆 Network
East Live Mega Mela (NEC), Asian Pop Awards ICC, NIA, Acoustic Cafe
with Sharam Gill, Shaanti (ImagineAsia), Shaanti with DJ Manga (Galaxy
FM), National Theatre South Bank London, Birmingham ArtsFest and
numerous community events at the Midlands Arts Centre.
Join
us
We
are always on the lookout for new young talent - anyone interested
should contact Sowi on 07957 338 643 or email: ozonepr@hotmail.com
Where
to see Aashiyana Dance Company
 Stratford on Avon Music Festival 2004
Saturday 16 October, 7.30pm
Civic Hall, Rother Street
Elaborate routines include elements of 'Kathak', 'Bhangra', 'Capoeira',
'Traditional Egyptian dance' and 'Trio Gitano' - gypsy influenced
music from the flamenco, latin and jazz repertoire.
Festival Box Office: 01789 207100.
Black History Month 2004
Friday
29 October, 7.30pm
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
Aashiyana Dance Company theatre production. Fusion of Kathak, Bhangra,
Capoeira, Traditional Egyptian dance by Shaheera, plus exclusive
live DJ set by Sonny Ji (Bhangra-House and emotional Asian fusion
beats.)
Box office: 01902 321 321
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