“Nature Boy” is collaboration between Purawai Vyas and Rumi Jeraj, that explores how Bharatanatyam and Tap Dance can intersect, as we weave in and out of rhythms and stories. As two first-generation Canadian artists, with shared South Asian lineages (but very different paths in life), we come together to discover similarities, differences, and what we can learn from one another. The work explores different parts of our practices and how they can intersect or clash. The choreography not only explores our forms coming together but also the ways in which we navigate our forms as idiosyncratic movers. Scored with the sounds of Carnatic music and Jazz by musicians Vishnu Kandanchatha (Indian flute, Mridangam) and Adrian Russow (Bass), the work shares the joy of connection through music and rhythm. As a quartet, we hope to remount and reimagine this work with new stories that speak to who we are as diasporic artists, with fresh new rhythmic exchanges.

“Nature Boy” was presented at Lee Lifeson Art Park for Toes for Dances’ Common Ground Festival in 2023. The original length of the work is approximately 10 minutes.