The Concept of Fusion

Fusion is a word that gets thrown around a lot, especially in dance. Literally, it means "a blend of styles" but each choreographer interprets it differently.

I first began exploring fusion in college in India, when as the President of the Dance Society of Lady Shriram College, New Delhi in 2002, I choreographed a piece called "Rhydhun" in collaboration with various dancers. It was set to the song "Rhydhun" by composer Taufiq Qureshi, the title itself combining the English word Rhythm with its Hindi equivalent dhun. It began with a Kuchipudi dancer dancing on a plate, flanking with a Tap dancer, creating complementary rhythms. In addition, there were five Bharatnatyam dancers, three Jazz dancers, one Contemporary Ballet dancer and two Odissi dancers. The piece showcased each of these styles individually and culminatinated in a dance conversation between three dance forms.

At that point, the mere co-existence of various dance forms, especially Indian Classical with Western dance forms, in the same work was considered fusion. Several years later, being a much more experienced choreographer, my concept of fusion has altered. It is less about staying true to each style, and more about capturing the ESSENCE of different genres to allow the emergence of an entirely new style. This has been an organic process for me, as I see influences of my cultural background seep into my Modern Dance works. A focus on intricate hand gestures, grounded postures and other movements that have become a part of me, after studying Indian Contemporary Dance, Yoga and Mayurbhaj Chhau, and from all my years of just living in and experiencing India.

Sometimes I do try to create work that is true to a certain dance form, but mostly I look BEYOND GENRE. When I was choreographing A.R. Rahman's "O Saaya," for the Mona Sampath Khan Dance Company, I asked Mona Khan, whether she wanted a modern piece or something more influenced by chhau. She said to let the music GUIDE me. What ended up was a work that was very Contemporary, with a distinct Indian feel.

Since then, I usually trust my instincts, whether I am inspired by music or a conceptual idea. Fusion for me today, is really about TRANSCENDING genre, being open, allowing my mind and body's experiences to guide me, and exploring a place that is familiar yet new. My journey in dance may make me question this a few years from now, and take me to a whole new place. I stay open to the ENDLESS possibilities...

Photoshoot on the subway station

Gretchen Garnett and Kelly Bowker are two amazing artists who I have had the opportunity of working with, in the past. Dancing and choreographing together and being part of each others' visions, we decided to collaborate to produce our own show which will be on April 8-9, 2011 in CounterPULSE in San Francisco.

Among the other logistics came the photo shoot. We figured that it would be nice to have pictures of all of us together, representing the new project, rather than yoking together individual pictures. Gretchen suggested the BART station as the venue. The BART is such a big part of any San Francisco and even Bay Area commuters' life. Impeccably dressed office workers, people making beautiful music for mere pennies, students, homeless people, people going for games and concerts and factory workers, can all be seen on a BART station.

So the venue was finalized and so was the photographer, Kevin Wong. Then we decided that we would wear dresses and heels; what better juxtaposition to the grittiness of the BART station? So the shoot took place among dust and grime, flashing train signs, announcements and the motion of the moving trains. We hung from railings, leaned against the walls, jumped off the sitting area, lay on the platform. People did stare but then, it was San Francisco!

The shoot culminated in some gorgeous pictures and a fabulous experience. There is something so special about taking dance outside the proscenium and into the heart of a city. The beauty of art nestled within the mundane everyday world of the transport system. It would be interesting to bring that grittiness to dance as well.