TAALAM (RHYTHM)
A love letter from Bharatanatyam to tap dance, in the language of rhythm
Photo Credit: Trisha French Photography
A Polyrhythm of DANCE and Cultures
Electric. Rhythmic. Hilarious. Taalam (Rhythm) is a high energy jam between Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian percussive dance form, and tap dance. Taalam (Rhythm) travels from 18th century India to 21st century New York, from Dhanashree Thilanna to Take 5, and creates a polyrhythm between the high-pitched bells on the feet of the Bharatanatyam dancers and the base-filled tones on the shoes of the tap dancer. The show delights multicultural and multigeneration audiences with how seamlessly African-American and South-Indian culture unite. In doing so, it creates a euphoric celebration of the immigrant experience, and champions the universal power of rhythm.
“That was amazing. Bharatanatyam dovetails so beautifully into tap dance”
“Project Convergence is breaking new ground….true audacity….with astonishing speed”
Supported ACROSS THe WORLDs of Cultural and Concert Dance
Taalam (Rhythm) has been supported by residencies at the American Tap Dance Foundation and the Seattle International Dance Festival. The first 20 min excerpt of Taalam (Rhythm) premiered in August 2019 to a sold out 5,000 person audience at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. Act 1 of Taalam (Rhythm) was presented by the Indo-American Arts Council in October 2023 to a sold out audience at the Citigroup Theatre at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Taalam (Rhythm) sold out its inaugural tour during its 2025-26 season and is excited to continue entertaining audiences worldwide.
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TECHnical Summary
A sample version of a full technical rider is available here. We have also provided a summary below. A venue-specific technical rider will be provided once we receive your booking inquiry.
6-8 stage or boundary mics, 6-8 pencil condenser mics
2 Dancer-facing stage monitors (in addition to the speakers facing the audience)
Smooth wood floor (very strongly preferred) or sprung marley (acceptable with sufficient stage mics)
Presenter must provide sound and lighting technicians