PEHCHAAN

"Pehchaan" (Identity) is an Award-Winning dance production exploring some of the unique identities we experience as South Asians of the Diaspora. We examine our roots, origins, culture, gender, sexuality, and dreams, to express what constitutes our hyphenated identities.

With global dance movement and music from South Asian folk traditions, indie artists and even Bollywood, we strive to delve into the layers of what it means to be ourselves. “Pehchaan” is performed by Ishami Dance Company and features Grammy Award Nominated music artist Zahara (Annette Philip).

Run Time: 90 minutes

Premiered in Oakland in 2023, New York in 2024 and Chicago in 2025.

Pehchaan was made possible by the generous support of the East Bay Community Foundation.

“Diaspora becomes the lens through which we see the performers grapple with queerness and motherhood, motherland and new home, tradition and assimilation. They do so with a goal of understanding themselves, and perhaps beyond that, giving the audience the opportunity to look inside and see who we are. “ - Bhumi Patel (movement artist)

What Audiences Are Saying…

"To me, Pehchaan was an argument in the defense of art." - Akash Bhatt

"The entire production was so powerful and professionally crafted. It was beautiful to see the impressive talents of every dancer on full display. I left the show wanting to watch it all over again."

"…this show has me still thinking and still feeling. This was an incredible show, founded not just in strong technique, purposeful narrative, and cool lighting (though they had plenty of all of it), Pehchaan was driven explicitly by human relationships." - Shaun Lee (Bay Area Independant Chinese Dancers)

“I really enjoyed the union of the choreography and music and above all, the conviction of the dancers."

"It was pure magic. Every single second of it. Never seen anything that moved my heart like this."

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