Journey into Indian history (From Wharfedale Observer)

Journey into Indian history at otley Courthouse

4:39pm Thursday 28th June 2012 in Leisure

Amongst the ever-popular live music and comedy events, Otley Courthouse always strives – as part of its programme – to bring events to Otley that would otherwise pass the town by, giving Otley audiences the chance to watch something unique and different, right here.

One of these events is coming up on July 6, and it is not to be missed.

Combining superb original live music, poetry and traditional dance performed by a trained ballet dancer, Manasamitra’s Journey Into India will present the history of the world’s second most populous country in an exciting and inspiring experience.

Ilkley Literature Festival director Rachel Feldberg described the show – which performed at the festival in 2009 – as ‘outstanding’, with many of the audience describing it as the best show they’d seen at the festival that year. More recently, Manasamitra have interpreted poems by Simon Armitage for the launch of the Stanza Stones poetry project, performing at a variety of venues, including the top of Ilkley Moor!

The show in Otley next week brings together India’s rich literary heritage of poetry, incorporating classical Carnatic Indian music, Bharathantayam dance and cutting-edge contemporary music and movement. The end result is an evocative journey through words, music and dance.

Tickets are available online at www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, on (01943) 467466 and from the Courthouse itself.

July 7 will bring a relaxed evening of classical music from members of Otley Chamber Orchestra. For a fundraising event for the Courthouse’s Singing for the Brain group, a friendly singing session for people with dementia, members of the Orchestra are forming into smaller groups to perform a wide range of music, from Bach and Schubert to Scott Joplin. Tickets are £6 on the door. Under-18s get in for free.