Akram Khan, one of Britain's leading contemporary dancers, will give performances in Xintiandi in mid-September.

Born in London to parents from Bangladesh, Khan learned the Indian classical dance of Kathak at the Academy of Indian Dance.

He went on to study contemporary dance at De Montfort University and Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds.

By combining traditional Indian dance with modern dance, Khan has created an original piece, "Kaash", which explores the nature of Indian gods through Khan's language of movement.

"Kaash" in Hindi means "What if?" The work is inspired by the notion that the behaviour and symbolism of traditional Indian gods are representations of rhythmical patterns and specific movement qualities.

Khan started to perform internationally as a teenager, working with Pandit Ravi Shankar in "The Jungle Book", and later in "Mahabharata" directed by Peter Brook.

After several collaborations with modern dance companies around the world he launched his own company in August 2000.

He was awarded the "Outstanding Newcomer to Dance" award in 2000 by the Dance Critics Circle in the UK and earlier this year was nominated for "Best Choreography" award by the Circle.

Jim Hollington, the new British Council deputy director, Shanghai, said the mid-September shows would be the first time Khan has performed outside a formal theatre. A special stage will be set up in the Atrium of Xintiandi for Khan's performances.

8:00pm-9:00pm, September 19-21

Lane 181 Taicang Lu

Ticket sold at:

Block 17, Lane 181, Taicang Lu, Information Centre

Rm 406, Fuxing Plaza, 109 Yandang Lu

( Shanghai Star September 5, 2002)