A unique alliance of kindred spirits

IT was more of a conversation and dialogue than just a dance. Torobaka was a wonderful collaboration between two dancers deeply rooted in their traditional art forms but yet embodying a contemporary mindset, and four musicians who were very much in the plot of this dance theatre.

Toro for the bull and baka for the phonetisation of vaca, which is Spanish for cows. The made-up word reflects the collaboration of two dance forms which share the same roots, the abstract notion of masculine and feminine, and the fusion of vocal, rhythm and movement to make a dance.

As this was a meeting of minds rather than a choreographed piece, Torobaka will forever remain a unique creation by kathak exponent Akram Khan and flamenco dancer Israel Galvan, and the musicians: BC Manjunath, Bobote, Christine Leboutte, and David Azurza.