Akram Khan

Artistic Director / Choreographer / Dancer

By Sofia and Owen

Akram Khan was born in London in 1974, a dancer and choreographer of Bangladesh descent. His background is rooted in his classical Kathak (Indian classical dance) training and contemporary dance.

What started his dance career was inspired by his mother. She introduced him to Bengali folk dance and the Kathak teacher, Sri Pratap Pawar at the age of seven. He continued being taught by Pawar. Once in University, his mother encouraged him to get a dance degree at De Montfort Northern School of Contemporary Dance, this is when he was first introduced to ballet and contemporary dance which started the fusion of his Kathak training and more contemporary styles.

Kahn as a young Kathak dancer

Sacred Monsters by Akram Kahn

Premiered: September 19, 2006

In Sacred Monsters, Akram Khan and dance icon Sylvie Guillem collaborate beautifully while showcasing his distinctive Kathak-inspired dance technique.

Awards

Khan has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career including the Laurence Olivier Award, the Bessie Award (New York Dance and Performance Award), the prestigious ISPA (International Society for the Performing Arts) Distinguished Artist Award, the Fred and Adele Astaire Award, the Herald Archangel Award at the Edinburgh International Festival, the South Bank Sky Arts Award and eight Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. Khan was awarded an MBE for services to dance in 2005. He has recently been announced as the new Chancellor of De Montfort University, and he is also an Honorary Graduate of the University of London as well as Roehampton and De Montfort Universities, and an Honorary Fellow of Trinity Laban.

He was awarded an MBA in 2005, an MBA is awarded to someone by the King/Queen as an "achievement or service in and to the community that is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others."

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