Award-winning choreographer, Akram Khan’s innovative dance form, contemporary Kathak, is the perfect blend of modern dance and the 500-year-old classical form from northern India. The British Asian, who has worked with the likes of Peter Brook, Juliet Binoche, Antony Gromley and Anish Kapoor, choreographed part of Kylie Minogue’s new concert, Showgirl. He was recently awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty for his contribution to the UK dance community. Nisha Paul caught up with the talented artiste at Sadler’s Well Theatre in London.

On his initiation into Kathak
I was a hyperactive kid and would often imitate Michael Jackson. My mother enrolled me for Kathak classes when I was seven. I studied contemporary dance in college and realised this is what I wanted to do for a living. I trained under renowned guru, Sri Pratap Pawar. My style of dance is called contemporary Kathak but I define it as confusion. It’s about the search for clarity whilst going through a journey.

On India
I adore India and Bangladesh. I have performed in Mumbai and Kolkata. The elite audience in Mumbai responded to the energy of my performance but did not always understand it. But people in Kolkata were fantastic. They were eager to learn more.

On working with Kylie Minogue
I’ve been a huge fan of hers since I saw her in the television series, Neighbours. In fact I had her poster up in my room. Of late, her creative producer had been following my work closely. Kylie had also watched some of my performances on video and came to see my rehearsal. Now we’ve become friends. She’s very down to earth. Working with her was a humbling experience.

On future projects
I’m working on Bahok, a collaborative effort between my company and the National ballet of China. It involves nine dancers exploring the concept of Babel and how language can be a form of disguise to hide the truth. My duet with Juliet Binoche will premiere in 2008. It will portray how angels are the perfect link between human beings and God.