The Arts Center At NYUAD Presents Songs Of The Bulbul By Aakash Odedra Company
The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with the Bagri Foundation, presents Songs of the Bulbul, a powerful new dance work by award-winning choreographer and performer Aakash Odedra. The performance takes place on Sunday, January 18 at 7:30pm in The Red Theater.
Blending traditional Kathak with contemporary movement,Odedra performs choreography created in collaboration with acclaimed Kathak artist Rani Khanam. The production is set to an original score by London-based composer Rushil Ranjan, composer and artistic director of the Orchestral Qawwali Project, and artistic partner ofthe pioneering Manchester Camerata.
Drawing on an ancient Sufi myth, Songs of the Bulbul traces the story of a nightingale trapped in captivity. As its life nears its end, the bird sings with heartbreaking beauty in a final gesture of transcendence, revealing a profound truth about sacrifice, liberation, and the soul’s journey toward the divine. The work explores the rich spiritual and cultural symbolism of the bulbul in Persian and South Asian traditions. The bird’s song becomes a metaphor for the human search for freedom, transformation, and unity with the divine.
Speaking about the origins of the work, Odedra commented: “This piece is a tribute to my mother, Kay, who was my smiling bulbul and the source of so much of my strength. Through this story, I reflect on what it means to love deeply and to give of oneself completely. The myth of the bulbul holds so much wisdom, and performing it allows me to share a part of my own journey with audiences.”
The Executive Artistic Director of The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Bill Bragin, said: “Aakash Odedra is a longtime member of The Arts Center family, and over the years we have seen him reach new artistic heights, drawing on his roots in the UK and his intensive training in India to create a language that feels both deeply traditional and unmistakably contemporary. It has been equally inspiring to witness the evolution of London-based composer Rushil Ranjan, another longstanding friend of The Arts Center, whose musical voice has expanded dramatically alongside him. Their collaboration creates a layered experience that resonates across cultures, particularly with audiences who share ties to both the UK and the Indian subcontinent. We are proud to present this piece in partnership with the Bagri Foundation, whose commitment to creating meaningful space for Asian culture aligns so closely with our mission.”
Born in Birmingham and based in Leicester, Odedra’s work is rooted in classical Indian forms and shaped by a lifelong dialogue between the United Kingdom and India. He moved to Mumbai as a teenager to deepen his study of Kathak and Bharatanatyam with revered gurus, an experience that continues to inform his choreography and performance. Songs of the Bulbul reflects this shared cultural journey.
With an intricate musical landscape composed and directed by Ranjan, the work moves between Indian classical traditions, Sufi influences, and contemporary orchestral textures. This performance also marks the second major collaboration between Odedra and Ranjan, following their work together on Abi Sampa’s 2021 music video Ghar Aa.
Songs of the Bulbul has received exceptional critical acclaim. The List praised Odedra’s ability to pour his spirit into his performance, while The Scotsman described the work as “exquisite beauty and sadness” that leaves a lasting emotional imprint.
Following the show, a live Q&A will take place with Dr Alka Bagri, an art historian and cultural patron who champions traditional and contemporary Asian arts through her leadership as trustee of the Bagri Foundation.
Listing information
Event: Songs of the Bulbul, presented by the Bagri Foundation
Artist: Aakash Odedra Company in association with Manchester Camerata
Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026, 7:30pm
Venue: The Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Details: Visit here for details
