About Songs of the Bulbul

Birdsong is fleeting—like dance, it exists only in the present, vanishing as soon as it is sung.

In Persian culture, nightingales or “Bulbuls” are deeply symbolic, representing the soul’s yearning for unity with the divine. Their songs, often directed towards the rose, symbolise the earthly beauty and the divine beloved, capturing the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Songs of the Bulbul is a new dance work by Aakash Odedra, with choreography by Rani Khanam and music by Rushil Ranjan. Drawing inspiration from an ancient Sufi myth, the work tells the story of a bulbul trapped in captivity. Bound by its constraints, the bird’s despair deepens as its final moments approach. Yet, it sings more sweetly as its end draws near, delivering one last heartbreaking song before its soul departs. This tale of sacrifice and beauty explores freedom found only in the ultimate release.

The work intertwines the graceful yet powerful art of Kathak dance and Sufi storytelling, creating a dialogue between the intense physicality of Kathak and the spiritual journey of Sufism. Through this collaboration, the piece seamlessly blends classical Indian music, Sufi poetry, and orchestral elements, inviting audiences into a transformative experience that transcends physical and emotional boundaries.

From Persia to the Indian subcontinent, from freedom to captivity, Songs of the Bulbul explores the soul’s journey towards divine love and enlightenment. Aakash Odedra’s performance poses a universal question: will we remain confined to the material world like the caged bird, or will we soar toward liberation and unity with the divine.

Aakash Odedra Company was founded in Leicester in 2011 by Anand Bhatt and our Artistic Director Aakash Odedra, a choreographer and world renowned British South Asian dancer; born in Birmingham, Aakash trained in bharatanatyam and kathak before moving to India to further study dance under world famous gurus. Aakash is a globally recognised talent, performing over 300 times in 40 countries.

Based in Leicester, United Kingdom, Aakash Odedra Company exists to deliver exceptional creative experiences for audiences and participants, helping create a society that is happier and healthier through dance.

Bilingual in classical and contemporary dance, we use the voice of British-Asian experience to translate ancient and contemporary movement languages to tell new relevant stories. We want to ensure that our work reflects excellence, removes barriers to access high quality dance and makes dance education opportunities more widely available.

Our journey has taken us around the world with successful international tours of our captivating productions, including, Samsara, Songs of the Bulbul and Rising, which have left undeniable impressions on audiences across the globe. Our shows have played on some of the world’s most prestigious stages such as Sadler’s Wells, Lincoln Centre and Shanghai International Dance Centre.

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