Lisa Ray and Kabir Bedi to act in Lata Pada's production for Luminato

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Luminato- Luminato commissions the world premiere of TAJ – a new work from Toronto’s Sampradaya Dance Creations. Artistic Director Lata Pada brings together the best of artistic collaborators from Canada and India in a 90 minute dance-theatre production. Award-winning Canadian playwright John Murrell has been commissioned to write an original script for this contemporary work. Directed by Tom Diamond, TAJ features Canadian actress Lisa Ray and Bollywood star Kabir Bedi.
TAJ
Sampradaya Dance Creations’ Artistic Director, Lata Pada, wins over audiences with her distinctive synthesis of traditional and contemporary dance, all the while earning South Asian dance a much deserved place on main stages across North America. A new work from this award-winning company brings together the best of artistic collaborators from Canada and India in a 90 minute dance-theatre production. Using specially commissioned music and stunning visual design, TAJ depicts a turbulent period of Indian history, underwritten by one of the greatest love stories ever told: The saga of Emperor Shah Jahan’s undying love for his wife, Mumtaz, whose memory inspired the construction of the spectacular Taj Mahal.

TAJ recreates the glory of that period in a sensitive intertwining of human, love, emotion and power. Canada’s award-winning playwright, John Murrell has been commissioned to write an original script for this contemporary work. TAJ features acclaimed Bollywood stars Kabir Bedi and Canadian actress Lisa Ray. The world premiere, Luminato-commissioned production of TAJ will be presented June 10-12 at the Fleck Dance Theatre.

On the Festival’s closing weekend is the North American premiere of Confluence. Acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan, best known for his work in classical Indian kathak and contemporary dance, as well as his collaborations with artists from other artistic disciplines (including actress Juliette Binoche and artist Anish Kapoor), partners with composer, producer, songwriter, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist Nitin Sawhney (A Throw of Dice – Luminato 2008) for the North American premiere of Confluence, a music and movement piece produced in collaboration with Sadler’s Wells.