Two LGBTQ dancers have been announced as the first recipients of Kala Sangam and Jaivant Patel company’s Samānatā: South Asian Queer Performance Seed Commissions.
Samanta, which translates to equality, is an initiative to support LGBTQ identifying artists, and help them in their own respective fields and develop their projects.
Image: Kala Sangam
Nikhita Devi and Mithun Gill, two dancers, will each receive £1250 along with a week of studio time and mentoring support to develop their projects.
Nikhita will be working on I, Honeypot, a unique solo work blending Odissi with burlesque and clowning, that explores the pressures of tradition and the joy of freedom of expression.
Mithun will be developing Moses, using Kathak and Contemporary dance to explore grief and loss following the suicide of his close friend, a closeted Muslim man.
Image: Kala Sangam
A sharing of both works will take place in early 2024.
Alex Corwin, Marketing and Programme Manager at Kala Sangam said: “Queer South Asian voices are still really underrepresented in the creative sector, so it was great to receive so many applications for the Samānatā commission from artists working across a range of artforms and representing many different aspects of the queer community. We are really excited to work with Nikhita and Mithun to develop their ideas and help them create authentic work that centres the South Asian Queer experience.”
Jaivant Patel, Artistic Director of Jaivant Patel Company said: “The work of Jaivant Patel Company has been unique on the UK cultural landscape in the amplification of South Asian Queer narratives. It has always been of importance for JPCo to lift other LGBTQIA+ artists and to create space truly reflective in the representation of South Asian Queer voices. This is about creating much needed change for opportunity in the sector and placing investment in marginalised artist”
