Purnendra Kumar Meshram cover image

Purnendra Kumar Meshram

  • Fellow 2023
  • dancer and choreographer from India
  • cooperating partner: Sudesh Adhana (Oslo, Norway)

Purnendra Kumar Meshram
Sudesh Adhana

Purnendra Kumar Meshram based in Chhattisgarh (IND) is a teacher, performer, and choreographer working internationally. Trained in various techniques of contemporary dance, hip-hop, and Kalaripayattu, he has worked as a performer with renowned choreographers such as Sudesh Adhana (IND/NOR), Robert Moses Kin (USA), and Sonia Rodriguez Hernandez (Europe). His artistic endeavors are driven by a desire to explore the complexities of human relationships and their impact on society and politics. His duet performance 2 Men won the first prize at Festival 10 Sentidos, Valencia (ESP), showcased at Dance Bridges Festival, Kolkata (IND) and at PECDA, Chennai (IND).

The fellowship allows Purnendra, to enter a 3-months mentorship with Sudesh Adhana, an acclaimed dancer and choreographer from India currently based in Oslo (NOR). Adhana’s contemporary performing arts platform Xproarts creates works that involve a cohesion of both, body and mind, and that reflect on the contemporary Indian political landscape, shedding light on matters and subjects that are conventionally ignored in society. Through his cooperation with Adhana, Purnendra aims to further define his own choreographic practice and approach. In his fellowship, he will observe Adhana’s choreographic and creative processes during rehearsals as well as during a residency at All Kulturhus.

Purnendra's Report


The day I arrived
The day I arrived
Welcoming Dinner
Welcoming Dinner
First day of rehearsal
First day of rehearsal
Movement Research
Movement Research
Nature Walk with Sudesh at RED residency
Nature Walk with Sudesh at RED residency
Some Movement Exploration in the RED residency
Some Movement Exploration in the RED residency
Exploration for the new work
Exploration for the new work
Sunny day so warming up by the window
Sunny day so warming up by the window
Small studio inside the traffo
Small studio inside the traffo
Sudesh in his movement research
Sudesh in his movement research
Discussion
Discussion
Everything is covered with snow
Everything is covered with snow
Rehearsal, playing with the torch
Rehearsal, playing with the torch
Al Kulturhus
Al Kulturhus
Preparation
Preparation
Discussion with the Dramaturg
Discussion with the Dramaturg
Heavy snow and I am walking to the theatre
Heavy snow and I am walking to the theatre
Checking the tech
Checking the tech
Espain making sure things are working properly
Espain making sure things are working properly
Setting up the stage
Setting up the stage
Image from
Image from "Liminaria" by Sudesh Adhana and Nora Svenning
Image from
Image from "Liminaria" by Sudesh Adhana and Nora Svenning
Image from
Image from "Liminaria" by Sudesh Adhana and Nora Svenning
Image from
Image from "Liminaria" by Sudesh Adhana and Nora Svenning
Stage after the Performance
Stage after the Performance
I got invited for other Performances
I got invited for other Performances
Navy Blue at Coda Festival
Navy Blue at Coda Festival
Street Performance
Street Performance "The Syncopaters" at Coda Festival
Visited a Glassglow Muesum, Granavollen
Visited a Glassglow Muesum, Granavollen
One Week Residancy at TekstLab Festival
One Week Residancy at TekstLab Festival
Event Flyer
Event Flyer
Performance Presentation Day, TekstLab Festival
Performance Presentation Day, TekstLab Festival
Just before people enter for the performace, TekstLab Festival
Just before people enter for the performace, TekstLab Festival
Solo Immersive performance, TekstLab Festival
Solo Immersive performance, TekstLab Festival
Live art peformance by me, TekstLab Festival
Live art peformance by me, TekstLab Festival
Playing with the space, TekstLab Festival
Playing with the space, TekstLab Festival
What Happens when I approch to their space, TekstLab Festival
What Happens when I approch to their space, TekstLab Festival


"As a contemporary dancer originally from Chhattisgarh, India, Purnendra is strongly aspiring to widen his perspective and develop his artistic skills. The cooperation with Sudesh Adhana will be a catalyst for Purnendra in his transition from dancer to choreographer, offering him insights into working in larger choreographic dimensions and exposing him to a diverse cultural context. This fellowship will be highly enriching in knowledge and experience which Purnendra will be able to take back and share with his community in India."
- Jury Statement