The Sujata Banerjee Dance Company (SBDC) has announced the return of the Hemantika Festival, an annual celebration of classical Indian dance, with a focus on Kathak.
Set to take place across four London boroughs, the festival will run from 22 October to 30 November, offering an immersive cultural experience for diverse audiences. This year, Hemantika marks its ninth edition, themed around “Reflections”, preserving the rich South Asian heritage while embracing innovation and fresh talent.
Festival founder Sujata Banerjee MBE envisioned this milestone year as a “springboard for the next generation of dancers”.
As part of their commitment to growth and education SBDC dancers will visit four festivals in India in early 2025 to draw inspiration and prepare for Hemantika’s 10th anniversary next year.
“We want to honour our past while embracing the future with fresh energy,” said Sujata Banerjee. “This year’s theme, Reflections, symbolises our journey and commitment to presenting Kathak with authenticity while exploring new and innovative presentations.”
The festival aims to attract a wide, diverse audience, showcasing not only Kathak but also collaborations with Western classical music, including a unique performance of The Goddess of Swan Lake. This reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet tells the love story of Odette and Siegfried, infused with Kathak’s storytelling power and accompanied by live music from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance will take place on 10 November 2024 at the Arts Depot, with original music written and arranged by Howard Moody and conducted by Orlando Joplin.
In addition to grand performances, Hemantika 2024 will offer more intimate, immersive presentations, taking the art form directly to community spaces. Audiences in venues like Shishukunj (Edgware) will experience the journey of Kathak from temple storytelling to royal court performances and modern-day concert halls, in this unique immersive and multi-sensory performance guided by dancers, musicians, and storytellers.
Hemantika Festival is not just about performances. This year’s edition includes workshops led by renowned artists, interactive sessions, and outreach activities. A thematic backdrop designed by Kolkata based guest artist Anup Giri will be created using sustainable materials and will be reused for future performances, emphasising the festival’s commitment to the environment.
“We believe in the importance of upholding the integrity of classical Indian dance while finding innovative ways to engage new audiences,” says Sujata Banerjee. “Through collaborations with artists like Aakash Odedra and ClimArts, we aim to present Kathak in new contexts, ensuring that Indian dance is not just for Indians but for everyone.”
Sujata founded SBDC over 40 years ago with the vision of training the next generation of Kathak dancers, providing high profile performances with the top Kathak dancers in the UK and internationally and celebrating the many facets of South Asian arts, classical Indian dance and Kathak through the annual festival Hemantika.
Her vision with Hemantika is to not only provide such experiences for UK audiences but also to develop the artform in a unique and innovative way, keeping it fresh and relevant for modern tastes.
Hemantika regularly works with contemporary choreographers with international acclaim such as Tanusree Shankar, Rosemary Lee, Gary Clarke and Jose Agudo. Every year, the festival invites international artists from across the globe. This year the festival has artists from India and USA.
Tickets for Hemantika 2024 are available here. The festival invites everyone, especially young South Asians and individuals from all cultural backgrounds, to experience the rich tradition and vibrant future of Kathak. For more information, visit the website.
