SHOONYA INDIAN NIGHT

GENTSE FEESTEN 2024

Experience the Vibrant Culture of India at Gentse Feesten 2024

Immerse yourself in the colorful tapestry of Indian culture at Gentse Feesten 2024!

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with mesmerizing dance performances, soulful live music, and joyful celebrations. From a traditional Garba workshop and Garba Night to electrifying Bollywood dance sets, experience the essence of India right here in Ghent. Don't miss this opportunity to dance, laugh, and create cherished memories at Gentse Feesten 2024!

Presented by Shoonya Dance Centre & Trefpunt!

GARBA WORKSHOP. LIVE MUSIC, PERFORMANCES. GARBA NIGHT, DJ PARTY

PROGRAM

GARBA WORKSHOP

GARBA WORKSHOP

Before the Garba Open Night, we offer a Garba Workshop with Swapnil from Shoonya Dance Centre.

Learn the basics of Garba, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the joyous celebration during the Garba Open Night. This workshop will provide the perfect introduction to the enchanting folk dance, with short sequences that you can dance during the event.

RISHIRAJ KULKARNI

Live Music

Live Music

Rishiraj Kulkarni is a multi-percussionist musician based in India and The Netherlands. His primary instrument being the tabla, with which his journey in music began, he has received incalculable guidance in his musical career from Ustad Zakir Hussain and continues his musical journey in the world of tabla as a disciple of Pandit Yogesh Samsi. He also plays the handpan, Rav Vast, Maschine (hardware/software DAW), marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone to name a few. Since 2012 he has collaborated and performed with artists from various art forms such as illustrators, painters, thespians, poets, singers, ballet dancers, western classical orchestras and Indian classical musicians, performing across Europe and India.

Graduated with Honours in Music from Middlesex University, London (U.K.), Rishiraj specialised in Indian classical music, western classical music, and audio technology. He also holds a Diploma in Music from KM Music Conservatory, Chennai (T.N., India) founded by Oscar award winner, A.R. Rahman where he was awarded as the best Hindustani music performer of the year 2014 — 15. 

Rishiraj has two independent albums to his name “Home” (July 2021) and "The Woods" (February 2023)  which are available across all streaming platforms. He has composed, performed and recorded the entire album by himself amalgamating the sounds from the tabla, Rav Vast, Maschine and the sounds of nature.

In 2021, Rishiraj founded Svun Sounds, with a passion of introducing unique musical instruments from across the globe and collaborating directly with the independent makers who handcraft their instruments. 

SWAPNIL DAGLIYA

Semi-classical

Semi-classical

Swapnil Dagliya, originally from Pune, India, is an IT engineer by education. He has graduated in contemporary dance and Ballet from the Broadway Dance Center in New York City and Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy.

In 2008, he founded his own dance school, SPACE (Swapnil’s Performing Arts & Contemporary Ensemble), which he managed for ten years. During this period, he also served as the director and curator of AVAYAVA, a contemporary dance festival in India. His teaching experience extends to two universities in India, namely Lalit Kala Kendra at the University of Pune and Flame University.

Swapnil holds a diploma in Indian folk dance and has been teaching Bhangra, a vibrant dance style, for six years. Currently, he serves as the artistic director of Shoonya Dance Centre and an Indian dance company in Ghent, Belgium, named “ABC a Bollywood Company”.