Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Amina Khayyam challenges sexism through kathak at the Edinburgh Fringe

AMINA KHAYYAM’S latest dance show has a powerful purpose.

Titled Slut, the kathak dance-theatre show being shown at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this month aims to challenge the negative connotations associated


with the word.

Khayyam explains: “It is based around the idea of the word – what it means and

how easily it is directed at women.

“If I am expressing my individuality, if I am expressing my independence, if I am expressing something slightly different than what it is expected of me, I am called a slut. It comes down to that in the end.”

Khayyam told Eastern Eye that she wants to tell the story to ultimately allow the audience to understand how the word has an impact on a person’s life – but additionally to “break the word down” and banish the adverse influence it can have.

“I want to disarm this word. I’m trying to own the word, appropriate it, disarm

the user of the word and just say ‘yeah, that’s what I am. What are you going to do

about it?’”

It is this kind of frank message that Khayyam has become notorious for.

Her company, Amina Khayyam Dance Company, has portrayed hard-hitting subjects through the expression of dance (her last production A Thousand Faces dealt with the objectification of women in indiscriminate abuse and violence) and it is women’s issues that are pivotal to Khayyam’s work.

The choreographer, who trained in the north Indian classical dance form of kathak in the UK, said she always felt uncomfortable with the notion of dancing when she was a young performer because of the comments she would get regarding how she looked.

“All I got told was: ‘Oh, you look very pretty,’ and it made me think ‘Hang on a minute, what about my dancing?’ My dancing was never commented on. I wanted to change that for myself.

“I use the form now to sell contemporary stories. I’m using that storytelling form to make it into a strong theatrical expression.”

Khayyam works with a number of women’s groups with diverse cultural backgrounds and she uses this opportunity to research material for her work, as well as getting the audience involved within the mainstream theatre.

Slut was recently long-listed for the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award 2017, a nomination Khayyam said she was truly humbled by. And although she acknowledges that winning would be an “amazing achievement”, it isn’t the most important aspect.

She explains “[It’s] the fact that it is getting the recognition. I think the humbling thing is that the work that I do has always been around women’s issues. Issues that are ignored or issues that are sidelined – things that maybe aren’t seen as issues.”

Through her work, Khayyam is keen to ensure the types of performances she constructs are diverse to others. She acknowledges that while facial expressions in kathak are important, she is keen to use the body to express the emotions within the performance.

She explains: “Of course, the face is there, you can’t avoid it. But it’s how to negate that and bring out the use of the muscles and use every single cell in the body to tell the story and that is probably why my work has been recognised in the past because we’ve been able to reach to the audience and touch them emotionally."

Slut is running until August 27 at Summerhall, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. See tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/slut for details

All images © Simon Richardson 2017

More For You

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

‘Harry Potter’ filming in London sparks anger as locals claim no consent for Privet Drive remake

Highlights:

  • A London street has been turned into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series
  • Locals in Upminster say they were not told filming was for the HBO remake
  • Some residents fear being “bombarded with wizards” while others are thrilled
  • Cast includes Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

A quiet street in east London has been transformed into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series, but locals are unhappy they were not properly informed about the filming. Springfield Gardens in Upminster, chosen to double as the boy wizard’s childhood home, has left neighbours divided, with some welcoming the attention while others worry they will be “bombarded with wizards.” The HBO production, part of a major reboot, has already brought cameras, drones and fans to the area.

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif

Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain

Instagram/priyankachopra

Farhan Akhtar says ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ will happen but drops bombshell that Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif may exit

Highlights:

  • Farhan Akhtar says Jee Le Zaraa has been delayed but not shelved
  • Significant work including music and location scouting already completed
  • Director cannot confirm if Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif remain attached
  • Project first announced in 2021 as a female-led road trip film

Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has clarified that his highly anticipated film Jee Le Zaraa has not been shelved. Speaking about the much-discussed project, Akhtar said the film is simply “on the back burner” due to scheduling conflicts. The clarification comes after years of speculation that the all-female road trip film, originally announced with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, might have been abandoned.

Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain Instagram/priyankachopra

Keep ReadingShow less
Fifth Harmony comeback 2025
Fifth Harmony reunite on stage in Dallas after seven years
Getty Images

Fifth Harmony stuns Dallas with comeback at Jonas Brothers gig while Camila Cabello performs solo in Sydney

Highlights:

  • Normani, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane and Lauren Jauregui perform together in Dallas
  • Surprise appearance happened during Jonas Brothers’ concert stop in Texas
  • Group’s social media accounts updated with new logo and merchandise
  • Camila Cabello absent as she continues solo tour in Australia

US pop group Fifth Harmony’s reunion has sent fans into a frenzy after the chart-topping girl band returned to the stage for the first time in seven years. Their surprise appearance at a Jonas Brothers concert in Dallas on Sunday, 31 August, also came with new merchandise and updated social media branding, signalling that the quartet may be preparing for a bigger comeback.

Fifth Harmony comeback 2025 Fifth Harmony reunite on stage in Dallas after seven years Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Heidi Klum

Heidi and Leni Klum pose together in co-ordinated Intimissimi gowns at the Venice Film Festival

Instagram/heidiklum

Heidi Klum Venice Film Festival look with daughter Leni reignites criticism over mother-daughter lingerie fashion partnership

Highlights:

  • Heidi Klum and daughter Leni walked the Venice Film Festival red carpet in matching corset-style gowns.
  • The supermodel opted for a blush pink silk design, while Leni wore an inky black version.
  • Both gowns were created by Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi, for which they are ambassadors.
  • The mother-daughter duo previously fronted a controversial campaign for the same brand.

Heidi Klum's Venice Film Festival appearances always generate headlines, but this year she doubled the impact by walking the red carpet with her daughter Leni. The pair stunned in co-ordinated gowns from Italian intimates brand Intimissimi, bringing high fashion and red carpet glamour together in one of the festival’s most talked-about moments. Their matching corset silhouettes highlighted the duo’s modelling credentials and added a striking family twist to the opening night of the prestigious event.

Heidi Klum Heidi and Leni Klum pose together in co-ordinated Intimissimi gowns at the Venice Film Festival Instagram/heidiklum

Keep ReadingShow less
Ahaan Panday

Ahaan Panday says years of blind optimism kept him going before Saiyaara

Instagram/ahaanpandayy

Ahaan Panday says Bollywood wronged him and admits he was delusional before 'Saiyaara' broke box office records

Highlights:

  • Ahaan Panday opens up on being ‘wronged’ before his Bollywood debut
  • Actor admits he spent years in ‘blind optimism’ waiting for launch
  • Saiyaara has become the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema history
  • The Mohit Suri directorial collected £53 million (₹563 crore) worldwide

Bollywood newcomer Ahaan Panday has revealed that he felt “wronged” by people in the industry before finally making his long-awaited debut with Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara. The 27-year-old actor, who comes from the well-known Panday family, said he lived in “blind optimism” for four to five years as projects kept falling through. Despite setbacks, Ahaan maintained that he never became bitter and channelled his struggles into his performance.

Ahaan Panday says years of blind optimism kept him going before Saiyaara Instagram/ahaanpandayy

Keep ReadingShow less