The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) will host the World Premiere of Mehek on February 7 and 8 at The Red Theater, presented with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. World-class Kathak dancers Aditi Mangaldas, dancing the first-ever duet of her 50-year career, and Aakash Odedra, one of the most talented British South Asian dancers of his generation, weave a narrative that celebrates love in all its forms: raw, authentic, and infinitely resonant. The performance will feature an original recorded score by Nikki Wells, as well as live music.
Derived from the Hindi word for fragrance, the title Mehek alludes to the enduring power of memory and the essence of love itself. It depicts a love story between a mature woman and a younger man, delving deep into their intricate characters, challenging norms, and redefining the very essence of love. As part of a five-week developmental residency, this will be the second time that a world premiere of Odedra’s work has also anchored a course designed around it and marks the fifth time Odedra will perform at The Arts Center (including one virtual residency.)
Executive Artistic Director at The Arts Center at NYUAD Bill Bragin commented: “In Mehek, the brilliant dancers and choreographers Aditi Mangaldas and Aakash Odedra demonstrate their mastery of the Kathak while showcasing an impressive ability to innovate within the classical Indian dance form. It’s spectacular to watch them both move, and they’ve created a striking multi-media production that will go on from NYU Abu Dhabi to a major international tour, already scheduled for several UK venues including London’s prestigious Sadler’s Wells. As part of our mission to support cultural production and artistic research, The Arts Center helps distinguished artists realize their vision and bring it into the world, and we’re thrilled that dancers at Aaskah and Aditi’s level are entrusting us with premiering their work.”
Describing the show, Aakash Odedra said: “Mehek is an enchanting exploration of the human heart, its desires, courage, and resilience. With the support of NYU Abu Dhabi, we look forward to bringing to the stage a narrative that questions assumptions in society that have become the norm. Through choreography, we aim to give a voice to an unspoken and overlooked love story, and through that performance push audiences to confront their own definitions of love.”
Mehek was created by the Aakash Odedra Company and the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company / The Drishtikon Dance Foundation. It is co-produced by The Arts Center at NYUAD and co-commissioned by Sadler’s Wells, The Lowry, the Birmingham Hippodrome and the Bagri Foundation.
As part of its commitment to developing the skills of local artists through its series Off the Stage, on Friday, February 9 at 6:30 pm, The Arts Center will host a dance workshop with Aakash Odedra, presented with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. Odedra will offer a practical session detailing his dance language, using a unique fusion of classical Indian and Western styles to open participants to new experiences and possibilities that can be carried into their practices. Participants will learn various floor-based movements as well as detailed techniques that focus on strength and precision. This follows a workshop led by Mangaldas on January 31.