Samvad, a Sanskrit term meaning dialogue or conversation, is a unique presentation by the exciting and talented contemporary voices of Kathak dancer Barkha Patel and Kuchipudi dancer Pragnya Thamire. They come together to showcase two beautiful Indian classical dance styles, Kathak, from North India and Kuchipudi, from South India. Emerging from different regions, histories, and cultures of India, they both share similar storytelling traditions that use dance, song and drama. 

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Samvad will first showcase the purity and beauty of each of these two styles separately, and will conclude the evening with a specially choreographed dance, ‘The Elusive Beloved’, where the two styles meet as Barkha and Pragnya explore themes of the power of choice and unwavering faith through two women saint poets of India – Lal Ded from Kashmir and Akka Mahadevi from Karnataka.