Helios: Kalakunj dance performance 23 August

Join us for a magical performance of Indian classical dancing performed by Kalakunj on Saturday 23 August. The group will perform twice with one performance at 3pm and one at 5pm. Each performance will last 20 minutes.

No booking needed, just turn up before the performance starts. Normal admission applies.

The performance will highlight Shiva, a mythological character, who is regarded as the Lord of Indian classical dance and Yoga. He also represents the transformative and ultimate energy of the Sun.

"The Sun as the source of male energy indicates the transcendental nature of Shiva. The dancers will offer their salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the eternal force from whom all grace and power flows, who is the source of the river Ganges, who is merciful, who is compassionate, and who acts as the boatman helping the mortal humans to cross the ocean of worldly existence. He is ‘Parabrahma’, or the one without any characteristics and lives in the depths of our hearts in absolute infinity. Shiva is blissful, unmatched, and an eternal symbol of cosmic dance." Ananya, Kalakunj.

Kalakunj is an independent performing arts group based in the community in Reading, Berkshire specialising in Indian Classical dance, specifically Bharatanatyam. Kalakunj has successfully worked on Arts Council England and National Heritage Lottery funded projects in the past. The group has been awarded the Pride of Reading Award for cultural contribution in 2022.