Sampradaya Dance Creations Performs the World Premiere of TAJ June 10-12

Sampradaya Dance Creations, renowned for its innovative dance productions under the artistic direction of Lata Pada, has created TAJ, an exciting new dance-theatre production chronicling the great human drama behind the magnificent architectural wonder, the Taj Mahal. TAJ runs June 10-12 at Harbourfront Centre's Fleck Dance Theatre as part of, and commissioned by, Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity.

Written by Governor General's Award-winning playwright John Murrell and directed by Dora-winning opera director Tom Diamond, TAJ explores the saga behind the Taj Mahal through dramatic scenes starring international Bollywood film, television and theatre star Kabir Bedi (Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, Octopussy, Sandokan, The Bold and the Beautiful) and acclaimed Canadian actress Lisa Ray (Bollywood/Hollywood, Water, Cooking With Stella), and through exquisite kathak dance choreographed by South Asian kathak legend Padmabhusan Kumudini Lakhia, performed by an ensemble of dancers from Toronto, the U.K. and India: Tushar Bhatt, Reshmi Chetram, Parul Gupta, Meghranjani Hirani, Atri Nundy, Karan Pangali, Hemant Panwar, Samyuktha Sharath, Chad Walasek and Sashar Zarif.

Celebrated through poetry, music, dance and projection, the Taj Mahal is symbolic of enduring love, yet the story behind this majestic edifice in marble is as awe-inspiring as the monument itself. Imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb, former emperor Shah Jahan gazes upon the Taj - his wife Mumtaz's final resting place and whose memory inspired the construction of this spectacular edifice - and engages in an impassioned dialogue with his devoted daughter Jahanara, taking the audience on an emotional journey that explores the emperor's life, the 17th Century Mughal Empire and the universal themes of ambition, revenge, rivalry and love.

Lata Pada is Artistic Director of Sampradaya Dance Creations, an award-winning company recognized for innovation and excellence that breaks new ground in choreography and performance with a synthesis of traditional and contemporary dance. She has had an extensive career as a bharatanatyam soloist with performances in prestigious dance festivals worldwide. Lata has been conferred the Order of Canada in 2009, and holds the distinction of being the first South Asian artist to receive this award. She was the recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India in 2011. Her previous works for the company include Revealed by Fire, Shunya and SARUPYAM - Visions of the Divine.

John Murrell (playwright) is one of Canada's most distinguished and most frequently produced playwrights. His best-known plays include Memoir, Waiting For The Parade, Democracy, The Faraway Nearby, Farther West, and New World. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a recipient of the Governor General of Canada's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

Tom Diamond's (director) acclaimed productions include premieres of Chan Ka Nin's Iron Road (Dora Award) and Timothy Sullivan's Florence the Lady with the Lamp (Chalmers Award), five productions for Pacific Opera Victoria and nine for the Canadian Opera Company. He is the Resident Director/Dramaturge at Tapestry New Opera.

Kumudini Lakhia (choreographer) is one of the foremost dance practitioners of kathak today. With a commitment of 70 years to kathak dance, this 81-year-old dance legend is considered a pioneer in her field. Her choreographies have been performed in India and internationally, and she has received a number of prestigious awards including the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.
Sampradaya Dance Creations performs the World Premiere of TAJ
The awe-inspiring human story behind one of the greatest wonders of the world.

Concept by Lata Pada
Written by John Murrell
Directed by Tom Diamond
Projection design by Jacques Collin,
Musical composition by Praveen Rao
Lighting and set design by Phillip Silver
Costume design by Rashmi Varma
Commissioned by Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity
at Harbourfront Centre's Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queen's Quay West
Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12, 2011
Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM & 8PM, Sunday at 2PM.
Tickets: $51.50 - $71.50
Box Office: 416-368-4849 or online at luminato.com. Info: sampradaya.ca

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