Experience the mastery of the world class performer Vivek Kinra, as he unfolds the mysteries of the Indian classical dance form Bharata-Natyam. As the final celebration to mark twenty years of successful performance in New Zealand, Vivek Kinra will bring members of The Mudra Dance Company to perform with him in this majestic show in Nelson in August 2010.

Vivek has performed twice previously in Nelson always to a very appreciative audience. He is looking forward to taking the Nelson audience on an journey of discovery through dance and music with the production of Agjika which presents epic tales of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Day time school performances have been specially designed for young audience. Students will be encouraged to participate and time will be given to answer questions. The students will get to witness some dances from his show Angika performed by Vivek and his dancers. Vivek will also enact stories to English narration.

Writing in the DANZ quarterly in 2007 Ann Hunt wrote: "At times the turn of his head or the lift of a perfectly placed arm, filled the eyes with tears. His arms resembled arrows, never missing their mark, and gravity held no claim on him."

Kinra first performed in New Zealand in 1990 and since then has built up a reputation as an extraordinary performer and director of his talented and culturally significant company, The Mudra Dance Company. For the past twenty years Kinra has performed every year in New Zealand and his performances have been enjoyed by a diverse audience of all ages and backgrounds.

Made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours for his huge contribution to the New Zealand dance scene, Kinra delights in ensuring Indian dance culture is brought to life in New Zealand. "I have become a vehicle for passing on the knowledge of a great dance tradition to the next generation of New Zealand-born Indians and I feel extremely humbled by this," Kinra says.

Enjoy the best this dance form has to offer with Kinra and the dancers taking you on a magical and dramatic journey through the wonders of the dance form Bharata-Natyam. This sophisticated, dynamic and rhythmic art form involves dance, mime and drama, together with swift and rhythmic percussive footwork. They will convey complex emotion and thoughts through intricate hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions.

Kinra commenced his celebrations in Wellington in July 2009 where he performed Anand: Joy In Motion, a spectacular show accompanied by 30 dancers from his Mudra Dance Company. Writing in the Theatreview Dance Critic Lyne Pringle says "Tears well in my eyes during this dance, I am moved by the exquisite beauty. The final image of the traditional Shiva pose is so beautifully lit and sculpted by the dancer that it is like seeing a moment of stunning transcedent perfection - lucky audience!".

>>CLICK HERE TO view photos from 2006 production Shree Ram Katha.

>>CLICK HERE TO view photos from 2008 Production of Incarnations.

>>CLICK HERE TO view photos from 2009 Production of Anand.