Kathak/Flamenco

Anita Ratnam

The classical dances of India are essentially story-telling arts. Some of the names, such as Kathak and Kathakali, are even derived from the root word 'katha' meaning story. In fact the Natya Shastra in its chapter on the origin of dance describes how in the Treta yuga, the gods -- concerned at falling morals in the mortal world -- asked Brahma to create an edifying art that would not only provide lessons in ethics but also entertain the audience and practitioners. And who doesn't love a good story? So it was, says the author of the Natya Shastra, that Brahma devised the art of dance, culled from the essence of the four Vedas.
Anita Ratnam, one of India's most gifted artists, is an accomplished classical and contemporary dancer and choreographer.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre

According to legend, Cloud Gate is the name of the oldest known dance in China, a ritual dance of some 5,000 years ago. The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan was the first modern dance company in Asia and is now thought to be one of the best in the world.

Kora of 'Ba Cissoko'

The kora is a 21-string harp-lute used extensively by peoples in West Africa.

Souad Massi

She is a leading light among the young Algerian artists. She sings the Arabic language with a sweet and pure voice. Her songs are of folk rock rhythms (besides she is often compared to Joan Baez or Tracy Chapman).

Karsh Kale

Karsh Kale's realize crew have created an important recording in the world of asian music. This might be the first real melding of classical traditional hindustani music and DnB--so much so that the combination aspect of it disssappears. There is a new synthesis brewing here, and it's an updated form of classical music. Kale weaves both traditional Indian instrumentations, indian vocals, and varying breakbeats.

Kiran Ahluwalia

Ahluwalia sings Ghazals and Punjabi folk songs, mainly in a traditional style. (According to her website, she studied the art of Ghazal for several years in Hyderabad with a teacher named Vithal Rao, "one of the last living court musicians of the Nizam (King) of Hyderabad.") She has a remarkable, strong voice. Her band, which includes western guitar and bass, and has a bit of a jazz sensibility.

Zia Mohiuddin Dagar

Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (1929-1990), fondly known as Bade Ustad, was one of the stalwarts of the Dhrupad tradition in post-independence India. He was largely responsible for the revival of the rudra vina as a solo concert instrument.
Raag: Yaman

Ileana Citaristi

Italian by birth, Ileana Citaristi holds a Doctorate in Philosophy with a thesis on “Psychoanalysis and Eastern mythology”. She has come to Indian dance after years of experience in the traditional as well as experimental theatre in Europe. lleana has been living in Orissa, India, since the year 1979 in close contact with the people, their language and culture.
It's odissi dance performing near 64 yogini temple in western orissa (2006). The film has three sloka from the SAUNDARYALAHARI, the tantric text dedicated to the female energy. Choregraphy by Ileana Citaristi. Dancers: Ileana Citaristi, Saswat Joshi.