Akram Khan (dancer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akram Khan
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Khan in 2010
|
|
| Born |
Akram Hossain Khan
29 July 1974 Lambeth, London, England
|
| Education | De Montfort University Northern School of Contemporary Dance |
| Occupation | Dancer, choreographer |
| Years active | 1987– |
| Known for | Akram Khan Company |
| Style | Contemporary dance, kathak |
Akram Hossain Khan, also known as Akram Khan, is a famous English dancer and choreographer. He was born on July 29, 1974. His family comes from Bangladesh. Akram Khan is known for mixing two dance styles: classical Kathak from South Asia and contemporary dance. He has even been awarded an MBE for his amazing work in dance!
Contents
Akram Khan's Dance Journey
Akram Khan was born in Lambeth, London. His family originally came from Dhaka, Bangladesh. He started learning to dance when he was just seven years old. He focused on Kathak, a classical dance form from India. He learned from a great teacher named Pratap Pawar.
Akram Khan began performing on stage very early. From 1984 to 1985, he toured in a show called Adventures of Mowgli. When he was 13, he joined Peter Brook's Shakespeare Company. He traveled the world with their play Mahabharata from 1987 to 1989. You might have even seen him in the TV version of the play from 1988!
After high school, Akram Khan studied dance at De Montfort University. He also went to the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. In the 1990s, he started creating and performing his own solo dances.
Starting His Own Dance Company
In August 2000, Akram Khan started his own dance group called Akram Khan Company. He founded it with another dancer, Farooq Chaudhry. Their first big show was called Kaash. It was a team effort with artist Anish Kapoor and musician Nitin Sawhney. Kaash was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002.
Akram Khan became a special artist at the Southbank Centre. He performed with famous dancers like Pandit Birju Maharaj. He also created a piece for older women called A God of Small Tales. For this, he worked with writer Hanif Kureishi. He was the first non-musician to be an associate artist at the Southbank Centre. He is now an associate artist at Sadler's Wells Theatre. In 2005, he received the MBE award for his contributions to dance.
In 2008, Akram Khan performed with actress Juliette Binoche. They starred in a dance-drama show called in-i in London.
Working with Pop Stars and Big Events
In 2006, pop star Kylie Minogue asked Akram Khan to choreograph a part of her "Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour." Akram Khan appeared as a huge projection behind Kylie as she danced. The performance was inspired by an Indian temple. He has also created dances for other groups like the Ballet Boyz and Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan.
Akram Khan and his dance company performed at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. It was a very special moment! Singer Emeli Sandé sang "Abide With Me" live during their performance.
In 2014, Akram Khan choreographed a ballet for the first time. It was a ballet about World War I called Dust. He created it for the English National Ballet. Akram Khan and Tamara Rojo danced the main roles in the show.
In 2016, Akram Khan directed a new version of the ballet Giselle. This show was a team effort between the Manchester International Festival, English National Ballet, and Sadler's Wells Theatre. It was performed in Manchester and then toured to other cities. In 2022, the English National Ballet brought Khan's Giselle to New York City.
In June 2020, Akram Khan had an online chat with a theatre expert. He talked about how important it is to keep moving, both physically and mentally. He encouraged everyone to "take that first step."
Awards and Recognition
Akram Khan has received many awards for his amazing dance work. Here are some of them:
- 2000: Won the Jerwood Foundation Choreography Award.
- 2000: Won the Time Out Live Outstanding Newcomer to Dance Award.
- 2000: Won the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards for Outstanding Newcomer to Dance.
- 2002: Won the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards for Best Modern Choreography.
- 2004: Won The International Movimentos Tanzpreis for Most Promising Newcomer in Dance.
- 2005: Appointed a MBE for his services to dance.
- 2005: Won The South Bank Show Award.
- 2005: Won the Critics' Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Male or Female Artist (Modern).
- 2007: Won the International Theatre Institute Excellence in International Dance Award.
- 2007: Won the Helpmann Awards in Sydney, Australia, for Best Male Dancer.
- 2010: Won the South Bank Show Award.
- 2010: Won The Age Critics Award for Vertical Road.
- 2011: Won the International Society for the Performing Arts Distinguished Artist Award.
- 2012: Won the Laurence Olivier Award for DESH.
- 2015: Won The Critics' Circle National Dance Awards for Best Modern Choreography.
- 2016: Won the Prix Benois de la Danse for Male Dancer.
See also
- British Bangladeshi
- List of British Bangladeshis
