Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy is a contemporary performing artist. He has been engaged in artistic work as a performer, creator and teacher since the year 2000. He has trained and worked with dance companies like Attakkalari in India, the Bodhi project in Austria, Danshuisstationzuid in the Netherlands, Hausgemacht in Germany and has completed a post graduate diploma in choreography at S.E.A.D in Austria in 2008. His dance creations have been showcased in venues in India and Europe. Presently, he is based in Bangalore India, and is a co-founder of an art collective called The Kha Foundation. Deepak has choreographed NH7, which was awarded the Prakriti Excellence in Contemporary Dance Award (PECDA) in 2012. Deepak and his team of artists developed the work for a year and NH7 is now being presented at the Park's New Festival of Contemporary Arts. The show in Mumbai is scheduled for September 12 at the NCPA.
By Deepa Punjani
Deepa Punjani (DP): NH7 was awarded funding last year by the Prakriti foundation to be developed. Why do you think it got selected?
Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy (DKS): I can't really say. You should ask the jury. We just went and presented the work we believed in.
DP: Looking back to the work that has been developed over a year, are you happy with the result?
DKS: Yes. It's been really helpful to have the funding. I could pay my dancers and my light, sound and design team. I think that in this one year, we have brought more layers to the initial work and given it depth.
DP: Most of NH7's team has at some point been trained at the Ninasam theatre institute in Heggodu, Karnataka. Is that a coincidence?
DKS: We are all are based in Bangalore and have spent time at the Attakkalari movement arts institute at different times of our artistic life. Attakkalari has been having at least one student from Ninasam each year since the past seven odd years. I think there is some kind of an agreement between Attakkalari and Ninasam. Most of my team therefore, has also trained at Ninasam. But while planning this project, it just happens to be so. We have known each other for a few years now.
DP: What according to you is most striking about NH7?
DKS: We have made an honest effort to make our work relatable. People should react to it at a physical as well as emotional level.
DP: What do you feel about the contemporary dance scene in India?
DKS: The contemporary dance scene in India has been on a rise in the last decade. Various cities have been hosting contemporary dance festivals. There are dance schools, residencies for dancers and choreographers in India have many opportunities to watch new work, develop their skills and explore new ideas.
Deepa Punjani (DP): NH7 was awarded funding last year by the Prakriti foundation to be developed. Why do you think it got selected?
