Shobana Jeyasingh (born 26 March 1957 in Chennai) is a British choreographer and founder of Shobana Jeyasingh Dance.
Shobana Jeyasingh has been creating dance works for 30 years. Born in Chennai, India, she currently lives and works in London. Her highly individual work has been witnessed in all kinds of venues, including theatres, outdoor and indoor sites and on film. Her work taps into both the intellectual and physical power of dance, and is rooted in her particular vision of culture and society.
Shobana's work is often enriched by specially commissioned music composed by an array of contemporary composers — from Michael Nyman to beat-boxer Shlomo. Her collaborators have included filmmakers, mathematicians, digital designers, writers, animators, as well as lighting and set designers.
Shobana has also contributed to dance in the UK and internationally through her published writings, papers, panel presentations and broadcast interviews.
Work and awards Jeyasingh has produced more than 50 dance works.
She states that her work is rooted in her experiences as a British Asian and explores the conflicts between diverse personal and cultural origins. Her choreography draws upon various sources, including Ballet, Bharatnatyam and contemporary dance.
Jeyasingh was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1995 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours, both for services to dance.
She holds honorary MAs from the University of Chichester and Surrey University, an honorary doctorate from De Montfort University, and is a research associate at Middlesex University's Research Centre for the Performing arts. In 2005 Jeyasingh was the recipient of a NESTA Dream Time Fellowship. In 2008 she was named Asian Woman of Achievement for her contribution to Britain's cultural life.
Complete list of works 2022Clorinda Agonistes (Clorinda the Warrior)Commissioned by Sadler's Wells and supported by PRS Foundation for Music2019Staging SchieleCommissioned by Southbank Centre and supported by DanceEast2018ContagionCommissioned by 14-18 NOW and supported by Wellcome Trust (restaged 2020)2017Bayadère – The Ninth LifeRe-staging at Sadler's Wells, London2017Material Men redux (restaged 2020)2016études2016OutlanderCommissioned by the Fondazione Giorgio Cini and a special event for Venice Biennale Danza 20162015Material MenCommissioned by Southbank Centre2015Trespass R&DCollaboration with academics from the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences at King’s College London and The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL2015Bayadère – The Ninth LifeCommissioned by The Royal Ballet Studio Programme2014In FlagranteCommissioned by Artakt, University of the Arts London2013TranslocationsPart of the Knowledge Producers programme, Cultural Institute at King’s2013Strange BloomsCommissioned by Southbank Centre2012TooMortalDance Umbrella, Venice Biennale, Dansens Hus Stockholm, BITEF Belgrade, London 2012 Festival2012ConfigurationsPart of Classic Cut Double Bill2012Dev Kahan Hai? / Where is Dev?Part of Classic Cut Double Bill2010CounterpointSomerset House and English National Ballet for Big Dance 2010, Broadcast in 3D by Sky Arts2010Bruise Blood2009Just Add Water?City of London Festival for Steps of St Paul’s Cathedral20082Step2007Faultline2007The Dancer’s Cut2007Exit No Exit2005Transtep 22005Flicker2004TranstepIncluding choreography by Lisa Torun, Filip Van Huffel and Rashpal Singh Bansal20044SquaresMayor of London for Diwali in London in Trafalgar Square2004Foliage ChorusArtsDepot, London2003Café EventWaterman’s Arts Centre2003Curve ChameleonGreater London Assembly2002[h]Interland2002Phantasmaton2001Web2000Surface Tension1999Fine Frenzy1999Memory and Other Props1998IntertenseChoreographed by Wayne McGregor1998Intimacies of the Third Order1997Astral ShadowsChoreographed by Laurie Booth1996Palimpsest1996The Bird and the Wind1995RaidBroadcast by BBC1993Delicious ArbourChoreographed by Richard Alston1993Duets with AutomobilesCommissioned by Arts Council England and BBC1993Romance... with Footnotes1992Making of Maps1991Speaking of SaktiPart of New Cities Ancient Lands Triple Bill Choreographed by Chandralekha1991LatePart of New Cities Ancient Lands Triple Bill1991ByzantiumPart of New Cities Ancient Lands Triple Bill1990Correspondences1989Defilé1988ConfigurationsCommissions2017HereCompany of Elders2014Terra IncognitaRambert2009DetritusBeijing Dance Academy2008BreachBallet Black2006City:zenHong Kong co-choreography with Mui Cheuk-yin2005Pop IdleRicochet Dance Company Move Me Dance Booth2004DebrisAnurekha Ghosh Dance Company2003Triptych SelfCanasia Dance Festival, Canada2003Neon DreamSonia Sabri Dance Company2003Polar SequencesRandom Dance Company2002Curve Twist GazeSonia Sabri Dance CompanyUniversity & College Commissions2016Dance BeneathMapDance, University of Chichester2009Re:MixLaban CAT2008Body TalkMapDance, University of Chichester2007SibuyaLondon Studio Centre2007TaxonMiddlesex University2006CounterfeitNorthern Contemporary Dance School2005Skin DeepLondon Contemporary Dance School
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