Akram Khan- Gnosis

Khan Chaudhry Productions

Premiere: 26 April 2010, Sadler's Wells London

Duration: approximately 90 minutes with one interval

Gnosis is a recent work by Akram Khan in which he combines his classical Indian and contemporary dance roots. It begins with Khan revisiting the classical motifs of two earlier solos, Polaroid Feet and Tarana. We follow him on a pathway of transformation, culminating in a shattering conclusion. Pursuing the idea of the 'knowledge within', it is an exploration of the inner and outer battles of characters, the human and the godly.

Drawing from sources both ancient and modern, Gnosis is also inspired by the Hindu epic Mahabharata, in particular the story of Gandhari, the wife of the blind king who blindfolds herself for life to share his journey. It explores the notion of inner knowledge and clouded vision, seeing darkness and yet being blind to light.

Khan is accompanied on stage by an ensemble of exceptional musicians from around the world and acclaimed guest artist Fang-Yi Sheu, from Taiwan.

Artistic Director/Performer - Akram Khan

Guest Artist - Fang-Yi Sheu

Musicians

Koushik Aithal - vocals

B C Manjunath - mridanga

Kartik Raghunathan - violin

Lucy Railton - cello

Sanju Sahai - tabla

Bernhard Schimpelsberger - drums

(previous musician: Faheem Mazhar)

Lighting Design - Fabiana Piccioli

Sound - Marcus Hyde

Costumes - Kei Ito, Kimie Nakano

Dramaturge - Ruth Little

Producer - Farooq Chaudhry

Technical Coordinator - Sander Loonen

Tour Manager - Mashitah Omar

Polaroid Feet

Choreography & Music - Gauri Sharma Tripathi

Tarana

Choreography - Sri Pratap Pawar

Unplugged

Improvisation - Akram Khan

Gnosis

Choreography - Akram Khan

Co-produced by

ADACH (Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage)

Sadler's Wells, London

The Point, Eastleigh

Subsidised rehearsal facilities provided by Jerwood Space.

Special thanks to Yoshie Sunahata and the wonderful company of Kodo (Japan), Gauri Sharma Tripathi, Mr & Mrs Khan and Shanell Winlock.

Akram dedicates this performance to his guru, Sri Pratap Pawar and to all the other storytellers who continue the fight to tell the myriad of wonderful myths to the audiences of today.

Akram Khan Company in Brazil is supported by The Rumi Foundation