Winged

About the dance performance Winged

Thousands of birds forming ever-changing patterns in the sky without a leader: each bird responds only to its immediate neighbours, yet the flock moves as a single living organism. In Winged, choreographer Kalpana Raghuraman translates this fascinating phenomenon to the stage. Five dancers and two percussionists from HIIIT, formerly Slagwerk Den Haag, continuously listen, watch and respond to one another. This creates a choreography that is both free and precise, as if dance and music are breathing together.

The movement language of Kalpanarts, Raghuraman’s company, is unique. The choreographer connects South Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam with contemporary dance and urban influences. Rhythmic footwork, expressive hand gestures and powerful body lines form a hybrid dance language in which tradition and innovation reinforce one another. At Kalpanarts, the dancer is also a musician: the body creates rhythm and becomes an instrument in its own right.

Rhythm lies at the heart of the performance. Inspired by Indian rhythmic systems and polyrhythms from different cultures, patterns are constantly shifting. The live percussion forms the musical backbone: a rhythmic impulse sets movement in motion, while changes in choreography influence the musical flow.

At times, the dancers move as a tightly knit group; at other moments, the structure opens up and tension arises between the individual and the collective. How much autonomy can you relinquish in order to move together? Winged does not present this question as a thought, but as an experience.

This performance is part of the Dubbeldans series. The series is available for purchase via the Stadsschouwburg website.