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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe show, created by Urja Desai Thakore (TV dance choreographer), vividly brings to life tales of competition, danger, excitement and unity wonderfully evoking both the solemnity and delight of this hugely important celebration. Following its world premi\u00e8re with two sold-out nights at Sadler\u2019s Wells, \u2018Kattam Katti\u2019 is coming to Leeds\u2019 Carriageworks Theatre in April as part of a UK tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaviraj lived in Chapel Allerton with his family, attending Chapel Allerton Primary, Allerton Grange School and Notre Dame Sixth Form before leaving to study music and music technology at University in Leicester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From a musical family (his father was a famous sitar player and taught at Leeds College of Music, his mother a peripatetic vocal and sitar teacher) Kaviraj was drawn to learn music, and especially Indian classical music, from an early age. He took music classes at his schools and also evening classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe music scene in Leeds was a great encouragement to me,\u201d said Kaviraj.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs well as the teachers at school there were lots of other opportunities including the famous Christmas shows at the town hall which would feature 300-400 children. I owe Leeds a lot and still return whenever I can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since graduating Kavi has his Indian music all over the UK, India and Europe including Denmark, Poland, Germany and Holland. In London he has taken to the stage at the National Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Kings Place. He also restores beautiful old instruments and was recently featured on BBC! TV\u2019s The Repair Shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a circular twist Leeds-based South Asian Arts UK was created by Kaviraj Singh\u2019s father in 1997 – and are now partners in presenting Kattam Katti at Carriageworks Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kattam Katti is a neo classical work with a contemporary feel and strong roots in the South Asian dance tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The work is created and performed by a new generation of British dancers of Indian heritage, accompanied by live musicians who collectively illustrate the highs, lows, loves and losses of lives that are lived out among the festivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today there are many deeply divided societies around the world,\u201d commented Urja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2018I used kite flying and the festival as a metaphor for the inequalities of privilege I see in those societies and in the corporate world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is also based on my personal observations of the festival and Gujarati heritage in general. I hope that by addressing such universal themes in this way we can introduce Asian dance to new audiences from diverse cultures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.asianexpress.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Kaviraj-Singh-IMG_6380-Tajgold_sml_22-682x1024.jpg\")
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