Kala Chakra

**A tribute to the unifying power of art**

The Swiss-Indian family of artists Keshava Jenny makes a major contribution to artistic diversity in Switzerland with their dance art Bharatanatyam. In the sensual and colourful production "Kala Chakra", they interweave mythological stories with biographical narratives together with their dance and music ensemble Kalasri. A tribute to the unifying power of art!
"Kala Chakra" is a piece of India on the stage of the Chur Theatre. And not as a distant image, but as a living reality of the binational Keshava Jenny family, which brings India's rich cultural heritage into a lively dialogue with Swiss culture.
Anyone who immerses themselves in Indian dance discovers a universal language: a language that tells stories full of expression, rhythm and emotion – inspiring, touching and creating connections between tradition and innovation, between school and life, between Basel and Mysuru.

**Kalasri Dance Ensemble (Switzerland/India)**

In 1976, the Swiss dancer and yoga teacher Esther Jenny and the renowned Indian artist D. Keshava founded Kalasri, the first institution for Indian dance in Switzerland, in the heart of Basel. Over the years, numerous dance and music productions have been created in Switzerland, India and other countries. The Keshavas have received many awards and are considered pioneers who have anchored the cultural heritage of the Mysuru style in the Western world – both in traditional and contemporary forms. Today, Anjali and Sumitra Keshava continue their parents' legacy with great commitment. As dancers and teachers, they are committed to making Indian art, culture and diversity accessible and play a crucial role in shaping the cross-genre dance scene in Switzerland. In 2024, Anjali and Sumitra Keshava will be awarded the Culture Prize of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft in the dance category for their work.

**Music Ensemble (Switzerland/Germany/Sri Lanka)**

The musicians of the international ensemble, which was put together especially for "Kala Chakra", will be on stage together with the Kalasri dancers and will not only accompany the danced stories of "Kala Chakra", but also form an independent musical narrative level. Nirujan Sehasothy is a singer known in the Tamil diaspora for his rousing concerts. In 2016, he received 1st prize in the category "Classical Film Singer" in the show "Super Singer" on the largest Tamil-language broadcaster Vijay TV. Rukshan Srirangarajah on the percussion instruments mridangam, ghatam and kanjira founded the Durga Thala Layalayam music school in 2005. What began with twenty students in Lucerne and Langenthal is now a mridangam school with more than a hundred students and seven teachers who teach throughout Switzerland. Vaisnavi Kavikanth plays the traditional South Indian long-necked lute, veena, and violin in various dance productions and artistic performances on stages and dance halls throughout Switzerland, touching the audience with her voice.

"Kala Chakra" is part of the opening round of the 26/27 season.