Encounters with Beauty

Indian classical dance meets Western contemporary chamber music in this new collaborative work that brings to life the mystical poetry of 16th century India through the evocative sounds of the string quartet and Hindustani classical vocals and the percussive footwork and dramatic movement of kathak dance.

“With rhythmic spinning and sounds of bells, the gorgeous evening culminated in a dance of intense devotion and joy…What an exquisite evening of brilliant dance and music… This was a gift that needs to be shared”

– Joanne Divito, LA Dance Chronicle

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About Encounters with Beauty

Commissioned in part by Newman Center for the Performing Arts

This cross-genre, collaborative work brings to life the mystical poetry of 16th century Indian saints like Kabir, Surdas, and Meera to life through kathak dance, contemporary chamber music, and North Indian classical vocals and percussion. The work takes its inspiration from the Beyond album which features original compositions of acclaimed HIndustani vocalist, Smt. Ashwini Bhide reimagined for the string quartet. Featuring choreography by Rukhmani Mehta and Seibi Lee and music curated by Reena Esmail, Encounters with Beauty promises a transcendental experience that moves and inspires audiences.

What Audiences Are Saying

“A masterful innovation in dance, music and song….With power, precision and grace, the dancers embody mystery, discover and merger. The result: we are transported into a time out of time, where the longing of mystics mingle with modern-day hearts. It feels like drinking from a sacred wellspring. Or entering a chamber of the heart longing to be opened.”

– Valarie Kaur, author of See No Stranger

Performances

Livermore Valley Arts – Premiere Performance
Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference – Showcase Performance, New York, NY
The Edye at BroadStage – Work-In-Progress Performance, Santa Monica, CA
Western Arts Alliance Conference – Showcase Performance, Seattle, WA
Electric Lodge – Open Rehearsal and Reception, Venice, CA
Newman Center for the Performing Arts – Artist Residency, Denver, CO

Show Information

Run Time: 75 minutes
Cast: 7 dancers, 6 musicians
Artistic Direction & Choreography: Rukhmani Mehta, Seibi Lee
Music Curation: Reena Esmail
Composers: Reena Esmail, Akshaya Avril Tucker, Anton Ariki
Set Design: Matthew Antaky

Original Cast

Dancers: Seibi Lee, Rukhmani Mehta, Rachna Nivas,
Joanna Meinl, Ahana Mukherjee, Sonali Toppur, Carrie Jennings
Hindustani Vocalist: Saili Oak
Tabla Artist: Satyaprakash Mishra
String Quartet: Sahana Shravan, Dylan Hamme, Jackie Hager, Sunjay Jayaram