Aakash Odedra Company is proud to present Songs of Bulbul, a captivating new dance performance by Aakash Odedra inspired by the ancient Sufi myth of a caged songbird, in collaboration with the Oxford Playhouse.

The Guardian ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Songs of the Bulbul has the confidence of a performer who has found his place. It is a song of beauty and light and life.

Featuring choreography by Rani Khanam and music by Rushil Ranjan, this exquisite performance is an immersive dialogue between the intense physicality of Kathak and the spiritual journey of Sufism, merging music, dance, and poetry traditions, renowned for precise rhythm and storytelling. Nightingales, or ‘bulbuls’, hold a special place in Persian culture, with their song representing a spiritual seeker, yearning for union with the divine. Their passionate songs are often directed towards the rose, symbolising both earthly beauty and the divine beloved, and highlighting the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. The beauty of this songbird’s melody serves as a metaphor for the fleeting moments of dance and an artist’s life.

Songs of The Bulbul invites audiences to witness a transformation transcending physical boundaries. Tracing a journey from freedom to captivity and the soul’s longing for divine love, Songs of the Bulbul poses a universal question: Will we, like the caged bird, remain bound to the material world, or will we soar towards a higher existence of liberation and enlightenment?

The Scotsman ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A work of exquisite beauty and sadness, Aakash Odedra’s brand new solo, Songs of the Bulbul, is the kind of theatrical moment that stays with you forever.

Content warnings: Flashing lights, loud sounds and sudden noises

Presented by Aakash Odedra Company in association with Manchester Camerata

£28 – £34