An instinctive and natural artist, and sublime story-teller in rhythm and movements, Akram Khan is an acclaimed choreographer and dancer based in Britain. He expresses his exquisite Kathak technique through an innovative vocabulary that transcends the rigid grammar of the dance form and creates an open horizon of aesthetic possibilities. Usually, the meeting of Kathakand flamenco becomes enjoyable because the two are so similar, but also so different. But when Akram Khan and the renowned flamenco dancer, Israel Galvan, dance together, the two masters of the dance world defy classification. The two traditions are united, restored and reframed through their unique, intense and meaningful dialogue and Torobaka, a contemporary dance performance, comes into being. Presented by The Park in association with British Council, this brilliant production was staged at Kala Mandir on October 4.

Torobaka takes its name from a Maori-inspired phonetic poem by Tristan Tzara. The bull ( toro) and the cow (vaca) are sacred animals in the two traditions, and represent the coming together of two dance styles. They created a vigorous physical dialogue that allowed each dancer to channel and challenge the movement traditions of Kathak and the rhythmic folk form of flamenco. Akram and Israel began their performance in a large circle of light, a circle that throughout the evening created a feeling of a wrestling ring. The bare-foot Khan wearing ghungroo and Galvan in heeled flamenco shoes interacted in a graceful as well as vigorous manner. However, after sometime, it became a little repetitive. Multi-layered dance incorporation was expected from these celebrated dancers. The high point of the entire production was its musical accompaniment. The performers not only gave able support, they also became the major characters of the presentation. B.C. Manjinath was brilliant with the percussions. He had a perfect understanding with the dancers and, at the same time, made his individual presence felt in an eloquent manner. Vocal support by David Azurza and Christine Leboutte took the show to an altogether different realm, at once dramatic and restrained. Bobote, a renowned palmero (rhythm-clappers) in the flamenco scene, was committed and spontaneous.

All the musicians joined the duo on stage and created a mesmerizing ambience. The lights were designed by Michael Hulls, who created a soothing and precise language. Rhythmosaic was the workshop collaborator. Torobaka became a space where the dancers and performers deconstructed, transformed and recreated a new collaborative form of expression.