![Two dancers on a spot-lit stage hold their arms in front of them as sand pours out of their hands.](https://edinburgh-festival.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Images/Whats-On/Event-Images/Event-Images-2022/Event-Images-2022/U7A3377.jpg?w=600&h=180&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.4273&fp-y=0.3338&dm=1700557227&s=ede73930ee46dc092896bd242b615b0d)
Samsara
Mythological storytelling brings East and West together in this moving contemporary dance duet.
Inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, Samsara is a spellbinding piece for two dancers that traces the steps we take, both forward and backward, in search of our higher selves.
UK/Indian dancer Aakash Odedra and Chinese dancer Hu Shenyuan draw on the dance traditions of their respective countries to explore the notion of samsara: the wheel of life, of birth, existence and re-birth.
Drawing on thinking and imagery at the heart of Buddhist philosophy, Samsara’s mythological storytelling merges with personal experience from two globally opposite perspectives, in a seductive, astonishing journey of twin movement.
It offered one gorgeous moment after another.
Aakash Odedra Company
Aakash Odedra, Hu Shenyuan Choreographers & Performers
Nicki Wells Composer
K H Lee Costume Designer
Lou Cope Dramaturg
Yaron Abulafia Lighting Designer
Tina Tzoka Set Designer
Nicki Wells, Beibei Wang, Michael Ormison Musicians
Commissioned by Bagri Foundation. Co-produced and co-commissioned by Asia TOPA; Arts Centre Melbourne; Birmingham Hippodrome; Curve Leicester; the Royal Ballet; Shanghai International Dance Centre, Chaillot – National theatre for dance, Paris.