Karman – a living archive’

‘Karman’ is an oral history project which celebrates the lasting impact that Indian dance has had on the lives of people in the East Midlands.

‘Karman’ – the Sanskrit word for “works”, “deeds” or “actions” – is the root of the famous Indian concept of cause and effect, as well as our English word “ceremony”. This project explores how past practice in South Asian dance and music are shaping our society today.

Throughout 2011, the Centre for Indian Classical Dance (CICD) in Leicester trained and worked with a team of twenty-five volunteer historians. The CICD was the focus for local people to come together research a book and an exhibition. Without the valuable and generous contribution of our volunteers, ‘Karman’ would have been impossible.

‘Karman’ holds the voices of fifty people from very diverse backgrounds, but all equally passionate about Indiandance. Over seventy hours of oral history interviews were recorded. These are now stored at the East Midlands Oral History Archive (www.le.ac.uk/emoha)

From May to November 2012, the exhibition will tour to the following venues below.

§  Embrace Arts, 11 – 27 May

§  Peepul Centre, 28 May – 08 June

§  LCB Depot, 11 – 22 June

§  Hamilton Library, 03 – 17 July

§  St Barnabas Library, 17 – 30 July

§  South Fields Library, 31 July – 15 August

§  Belgrave Library, 03 – 17 September

§  BBC Radio Leicester, 01 – 17 October

§  Curve Theatre, 08 – 19 November

§  Highfields Library, 19 – 30 November