Press & Reviews
(For press enquiries please email hello@jaivantpatelcompany.com)
Praise for YAATRA:
“As a dance artist, LGBTQ+ and south Asian homosexual, Patel is refreshingly unique. The inconceivable relationship between religion and homosexuality in Patel’s YAATRA is a first for dance within our global culture. Instead of a cryptic condemnation of the past, Patel critiques tradition through reinvention” - Katie Hagan
’If the rallying cry of LGBTQ+ is to challenge the notion of binary, Patel is its natural advocate’ - Nicholas Minns, Writing About Dance
“YAATRA successfully breaks down these boundaries to create a safe space for an intimate exploration of these narratives” - Maya Pindar, The Insanity In Dancing
“Jaivant Patel is a fascinating performer, bringing an arresting and innovative approach to kathak, retaining its classical foundations and essential narrative form but drawing upon British contemporary dance as a fundamental influence” - Graham Watts
“you danced beautifully, taking the audience on a journey from pure form to real life stories” - Rachel Rogers, Homotopia
“Patel's personal journey to understanding his sexual and gender identity is evident throughout YAATRA with these moments of cultural divergency” - Maya Pindar. The Insanity In Dancing
“YAATRA has the makings of a poignant and powerful piece, the subtle nuance in storytelling the show’s driving force that can be explored and heightened even further” - Lucy Basaba, Theatre Full Stop
“Patel has a profound sense of theatre and a charisma that makes even the moments of stillness an absorbing spectacle (even, at one point, just sitting and eating a banana). His dance has a gentle elegance and a gracefulness in pose and balance while periodically bursting into dynamic energy with skilful tatkar” - Graham Watts
“A concept deserving of praise, in its contribution to the resonance of South Asian queer narratives. Not many artists of this generation tackle seemingly indestructible notions with imaginative expression.” - Iona Chakravarky, Lichfield Festival (Young Critic)
“I was completely hypnotised throughout” - Baljinder Kaur
“YAATRA presents a man who is liberated and free to be himself” - Maya Pindar, The Insanity In Dancing
“Patel's performance is both vulnerable and resolute as he delves into his own narrative as an LGBTQ+ man of South Asian descent” - Maya Pindar, The Insanity In Dancing
“his adornments were his dancing bells, his dance, his devotion” - Vrata Chigateri, Pulse Magazine
“it was so powerful to witness you establishing and amplifying your voice as a British Asian LGBT artist and person of faith” - Rachel Rogers, Homotopia
“I felt invited to venture along a journey to self-discovery and embracing self-identity.” - Tamar Dixon
“I experienced something I connected to on a personal level” - Dan Auluk
“Your arts practice is beautiful, it is so inspiring” - Baljinder Kaur
“reflected a personal narrative with a universal honesty” - Dan Auluk
“The evening left me feeling enriched and in awe of the sheer creativity I had witnessed.”- Iona Chakravarky, Lichfield Festival (Young Critic)
REVIEWS:
Iona Chakravarty (Young Critic) from Lichfield Festival reviews Arpan performance at The Hub At St Mary’s, Lichfield on 11th July 2022. (click here for full review).
Nicholas Minns from Writing About Dance reviews YAATRA performance (preview) at Blue Elephant Theatre, London on 16th July 2019 (click here for full review).
Maya Pindar from The Insanity In Dancing reviews YAATRA performance (preview) at Blue Elephant Theatre, London on 16th July 2019 (click here for full review).
Katie Hagan from Dance Art Journal review YAATRA performance (preview) at Blue Elephant Theatre, London on 16th July 2019 (click here for full review).
Lucy Basaba form Theatre Full Stop reviews YAATRA performance (debut) at Tara Theatre, London on 17th October 2019 (click here for full review).