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On Tuesday, June 3, Nottingham Playhouse will host the premiere of Songs of the Bulbul, a deeply evocative new dance work created by internationally renowned artist Aakash Odedra. This compelling performance combines ancient Sufi storytelling with contemporary dance, offering audiences a moving exploration of captivity and liberation through the powerful medium of movement and music. Set in the vibrant cultural heart of Nottingham, this production promises a unique and immersive theatrical experience, showcasing a blend of classical and modern artistic traditions that will captivate both dance enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Inspired by the ancient Sufi myth of the bulbul—a songbird captured and held in captivity—Songs of the Bulbul tells a timeless tale of confinement, yearning, and spiritual freedom. In Sufi tradition, the bulbul often symbolises the soul’s longing for union with the divine, trapped within the material world. This metaphor is brought to life on stage through the exquisite choreography of Rani Khanam, a master of Kathak dance, and the innovative musical compositions of Rushil Ranjan. Together with Aakash Odedra’s visionary direction and performance, the piece weaves a narrative that is at once personal and universal, reflecting themes of restriction and the human spirit’s relentless pursuit of freedom.