TOUCH
Power. Acceptance. Beauty
TOUCH enjoyed a sold-out run at Dancehouse Melbourne during the 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival, earning recognition as one of the must-see performances of the event. This production champions diversity, community, and multiculturalism, offering a platform for individuals to unite, honor their differences, and partake in a collective journey that transcends boundaries. Through the language of dance, TOUCH cultivates empathy, admiration, and solidarity in our ever-evolving global landscape.
At its core, TOUCH delves into the personal narratives of two dancers, tackling themes of prejudice, racism, and isolation. Seamlessly blending Ballet and Bharathanatyam, it celebrates the beauty that emerges when we endeavor to understand and connect with one another. By embracing a spectrum of styles and movements, the choreographers challenge conventional paradigms, sparking dialogues on inclusivity and acceptance. By juxtaposing artistic traditions, TOUCH underscores the rich tapestry of cultures and beliefs, illustrating how dance can serve as a conduit for honoring heritage, expressing individuality, and fostering mutual enlightenment.
This compelling production leaves a lasting impression on the realm of art and culture, urging audiences to explore the significance of diversity and inclusivity in nurturing creativity, innovation, and harmony. Through its expressive blend of dance and music, TOUCH proudly celebrates the richness of humanity, welcoming individuals from all walks of life to a space where their voices are heard, their perspectives honored, and their spirits empowered.
To enquire about programming TOUCH in your theatre or event space, please contact us directly. Look out for 2025 tour dates which will be announced shortly.
Touch begins with an airing of grievances but develops into a celebration of cross-disciplinary collaboration and the potential for solidarity between women whose experiences of discrimination are different but resonant.
Deepa Mani, a teacher of Bharatanatyam, is frustrated by a lack of mainstream acceptance for classical India dance.
Choreographer Sheena Chundee is frustrated by the lack of diversity in classical ballet. Together, they embody these frustrations as dance.
Chundee, meanwhile, has created a series of expressive solos, full of heartache of an artist who strives for acceptance but is rejected.
The solos are poignant but Touch is most persuasive when the two forms are brought together and performed side by side, with their differences and surprising affinities displayed.
Touch explores the lives of two women who’ve taken different routes – one from the East and the other from the West, and draws parallels between their experiences. Accompanied by three musicians and a dancer, Mani and Chundee challenge bias and lean into weighty themes like respect, acceptance and prejudice.
The convergence of classical ballet and clasical Indian dance is a rare one.
Touch is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking exploration of the experiences and challenges faced by two women within the realms of Bharatanatyam and Ballet. This creative work delves into the complexities of acceptance and bias, offering a unique perspective on how these two distinct art forms intersect with their cultural backgrounds and personal journeys.
TOUCH IGNITED will transform the successful three-dancer performance TOUCH into a dynamic ensemble piece featuring eight dancers—four specializing in Bharathanatyam and four in ballet. This project delves into the rich interplay between these two distinct dance forms, merging their unique techniques to create a new, innovative genre. The original score, an amalgamation of classical and Indian classical music, will be revived and enriched with electronic additions. This musical evolution mirrors the development of the dance, reflecting a contemporary fusion that blends Bharathanatyam and ballet. The performance underscores the richness of various cultures and beliefs, demonstrating how dance can honor heritage, express individuality, and foster mutual understanding.
The boldness of TOUCH IGNITED lies in its experimental approach to dance. By merging two distinct styles, Bharathanatyam and ballet, the project challenges conventional paradigms and introduces audiences to a new form of dance that is both culturally driven and modernized. This experimentation is further amplified by the incorporation of electronic music into the classical score, symbolizing the evolution and fusion of traditional and contemporary elements.
TOUCH IGNITED will be presented as live performances in 2025, showcasing the innovative creation of a new dance form to diverse audiences, statewide within Victoria. The project aims to engage communities through workshops, outreach programs, and performances, introducing new cultural and historical art forms in a modern context.
