Research in Choreographu: Urja Thakore

Urja Thakore (@urja76) • Instagram photos and videos

Urja Desai Thakore is one of the UK’s leading kathak practitioners, who studied under the guidance of Kumudini Lakhia at Kadamb, Ahmedabad for over 20 years. Urja then read a BA in Kathak from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya. She has also completed a MA in South Asian Dance with Choreography from the University of Roehampton. A graceful and emotive dancer, Urja is renowned for her love of abhinaya, subtle movements and technical strength. Furthermore, her sensitive, thought-provoking choreographic style is highly regarded by both traditionalists and modernists alike. In 2007, Urja co-choreographed Akademi’s Bells for the Trafalgar Square Festival, an outdoor dance spectacle that brought together international talents from the UK, India and Belgium. She was also assistant choreographer to Kumudini Lakhia for the Swapnagata Festival curated by Akram Khan at Sadler’s Wells in 2009. In 2012, Urja was appointed Artistic Director of the first dance festival in Milton Keynes. With the launch of the BBC Young Dancer competition in 2015, Urja was selected as the Guest Choreographer for the South Asian dance category soloist. Another major passion for Urja within her practice is teaching, something that she has become extensively experienced in over the past 20 years, and has supported her standing as an ISTD Committee Member. Furthermore, viewed as an active advocator and future industry leader for the dance sector, Urja was selected as one of 20 artists for the One Dance UK’s Mentoring Programme in 2015.

Show Highlights

(0:02:59) History behind Kattam Katti: Urja di's signature production

(0:07:36) Musicians being part of the choreography

(0:11:14) Getting musicians to move on stage

(0:13:48) Incorporating new choreographic elements to dance: The R&D Process

(0:18:28) The process of editing the production as needed

(0:19:41) Choreographing for the Britain Symphony

(0:20:50) How is choreographing for an Opera different

(0:22:49) How the perception of future projects affects your outlook

(0:25:19) How much background info is needed for an audience to appreciate dance

(0:37:13) The importance of making each other look good on stage

(0:38:40) Starting out on your own in the UK