AKRAM KHAN
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Akram Khan is one of the most acclaimed choreographers of his generation working in Britain today. Born in London into a family of Bangladeshi origin, he began dancing at seven and studied with the renowned kathak dancer and teacher Sri Pratap Pawar.

He began presenting solo performances of his work in the 1990s, maintaining his commitment to classical kathak as well as developing modern work. In August 2000, he launched Akram Khan Dance Company with producer Farooq Chaudhry, which has provided him with a platform for innovation and a diverse range of work through collaboration with artists from other disciplines.

He was Choreographer-in-Residence and later Associate Artist at the Southbank Centre and is currently an Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells.

Amongst his earlier notable company works are Kaash (2002), a collaboration with artist Anish Kapoor and composer Nitin Sawhney, and ma (2004), with text by Hanif Kureishi. Other works include Sacred Monsters, featuring ballerina Sylvie Guillem, zero degrees, a collaboration with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Antony Gormley and Nitin Sawhney, In-I, a duet with Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche with visual design by Anish Kapoor, bahok, a collaboration with National Ballet of China, and Gnosis, a work in which he combines his classical Indian and contemporary dance roots.

In 2006 Khan was invited by Kylie Minogue to choreograph a section of her Showgirl concert, which opened in Australia in November that year.

Vertical Road is Khan’s latest contemporary ensemble work, and continues his ambition to explore the interfaces between different cultures and creative disciplines. He brings together a host of performers and artists from East and West.  
 
Khan has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career including the prestigious Helpmann Award in Australia for Best Choreography (zero degrees) in 2007, where Khan received Best Male Dancer.  He was awarded an MBE for services to dance in 2005.