SPOTLIGHT ON KABIR CENTRE

Kathak-Tap dance: Rhythm Rewritten

Kabir Centre for Arts and Culture, Montreal, presents Rhythm Rewritten at the Aga Khan Museum.

An Indo-American collaboration with tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith and Seema Mehta, a Kathak dancer based in Mumbai, this dynamic, improvisational show links two cultures, two traditions, and two artistes who communicate through their powerful footwork. Accompanied by talented musicians, Ian de Souza from Toronto, Satyaprakash Mishra from Mumbai, Debashis Sarkar and Jayanta Banerjee from Calcutta and Theo Hill from New York.

On Wednesday, May 15, Mehta and Smith will be pleased to share their art and knowledge with all who are fascinated by the fusion of Kathak and tap dance.

Seema Mehta graduated from the San Francisco Academy of Art University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in painting and sculpture. Since 2000, she has been practising Kathak with Pandit Chitresh Das. Her lineage goes back to the great gurus of Lucknow and the gharanas of Jaipur. Seema’s style establishes an admirable balance between the subtle and graceful yet powerful, especially in her footwork. She practices Kathak Yoga, sings and plays the harmonium. Director of Chhandam Nritya Bharati School (Mumbai and Calcutta), she teaches more than 100 students. Beyond the traditional perception of dance, Seema’s vision is to touch lives through her art (www.seemamehta.com).

Dancer, choreographer and performer Jason Samuels Smith is the recipient of an Emmy and several prestigious awards. His choreography and film credits include Black Nativity, the TV series Psych, So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with The Stars, UPAJ:Improvise, etc. Stage Credits include Soul Possessed, Broadway’s Bring in Da’Noise, Bring in Da’Funk, and Imagine Tap! in addition to his own projects and successful touring company. He has also developed a professional tap shoe. Using his art for social justice, he supports several organizations and promotes respect for the art form and creates opportunities for upcoming generations as  he travels as an ambassador for tap. (www.divinerhythmproductions.com).

When and where: May 16 at 8 pm, Aga Khan Museum. Reservation for the show and workshop: agakhanmuseum.org/programs/rhythm-rewritten-with-jason-samuels-smith-and seema-mehta.