Songs of the Bulbul
The world premiere of Aakash Odedra’s latest work creates a mediative exchange between the Indian classical dance Sufi Kathak and Islamic poetry.
About Songs of the Bulbul
WORLD PREMIERE
Returning to the International Festival after his spellbinding presentation of Samsara in 2022, Aakash Odedra presents a spiritual and captivating new work. This world premiere creates a sensitive dialogue between the Indian classical dance Sufi Kathak and Islamic poetry.
Bulbuls are a common songbird throughout Africa and Asia. In Sufism – a mystical practice of Islam that emphasises a spiritual closeness with God – bulbuls symbolise the beauty of the natural world and the pursuit of religious enlightenment. Odedra’s dance piece explores an ancient Sufi myth about a captured bulbul, which sings an exquisite tune before perishing from despair.
In this piece, the bulbul myth becomes a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of dance and life itself. Developed with choreographer Rani Khanam, Odedra combines the music, dance and poetry traditions of Sufism to create an ambitious work that is both ferocious and contemplative.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh or Edinburgh International Festival
Cinderella: A Fairytale
Coming to the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh Christmas 2025, the story we all love that has captivated audiences around the UK: Cinderella!
READ MORE
Mike Wozniak: The Bench
Taskmaster star Mike Wozniak is coming to Edinburgh with his new show, The Bench, catch him live at The Royal Lyceum on 18th January!
READ MORE
The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption is a gripping tale of friendship, injustice, and quiet resistance, set within the brutal confines of a maximum-security prison. Don't miss it at The Lyceum in January!
READ MORE
Maddie Grace Jepson: Live - On Tour
Maddie Grace Jepson is hitting the road with her brand-new, (reworked) one-woman show, Maddie Grace Jepson Live, a brilliantly unhinged mix of comedy, chaos, and confession.
READ MORE
Michael Rosen: Getting Through It
Poetry legend Michael Rosen presents his new one-person show 'Getting Through It' at the Lyceum Theatre on Thursday 29th September!
READ MORE
Stuart Mitchell: Tips Not Included
With over 100M views online see Stuart Mitchell, the longest running panellist from BBC Scotland's 'Breaking The News', live at The Royal Lyceum in his first national tour!
READ MORE
Prima Facie
Jodie Comer is set to return to her award-winning role in Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie in 2026 and brings it to the The Royal Lyceum Theatre from 3rd to 7th February, the only Scottish dates!
READ MORE
One Day: The Musical
The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh and Melting Pot present the World Premiere of One Day The Musical, a celebration of love, fate, and the moments that define us forever.
READ MORE
Andy Zaltzman: The Zaltgeist
Following a sell-out 2024/2025 national run, Andy Zaltzman extends his hit tour into 2026 and brings it to The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh on 25th April.
READ MORE
Karine Polwart: Windblown
A hauntingly beautiful tribute to a palm tree facing its chainsaw demise, Windblown is a spellbinding blend of folk music, conjured sound, intimate storytelling and stunning, immersive visuals.
READ MORE
Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil
Funny, poignant, and packed with the spirit of Scottish football, Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil is more than a play about the game - it’s about belonging, loss, and the songs we carry with us!
READ MORE
Verdi’s A Masked Ball
Zurich Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s stunning opera, A Masked Ball, filled with desire, treachery and political peril.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Mere Mortals
San Francisco Ballet presents a provocative myth for the AI age, in their futuristic retelling of Pandora’s Box at Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Elgar & Tchaikovsky
The Berliner Philharmoniker and Chief Conductor Kirill Petrenko open the Usher Hall series with Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony and Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Closing Concert
Experience ‘the world’s greatest orchestra’ (LA Times) performing with award-winning soloist Augustin Hadelich in the closing concert of their residency.
READ MORE
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
This visceral production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie looks head on at our enduring moral fascination with such a beguiling and dangerous character.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Ceilidh in Charteris Centre
Edinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to their regular ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club at Assembly Roxy
Come and experience Scottish dance the way its meant to be every month at the Edinburgh Ceilidh Club at the Assembly Roxy!
READ MORE
Countdown to Hogmanay, Ceilidh with The Brave
This is the first of three great Laldie Ceilidhs on the last three nights of 2025: the Countdown to Hogmanay at the Assembly Roxy.
READ MORE
Annasach Ceilidh Countdown to Hogmanay
Annasach Ceilidh Band invites you to their ceilidh countdown to Hogmanay in the hidden gem of Edinburgh’s Old Town, The Counting House.
READ MORE
The Haggis Ceilidh Club - Hogmanay Warm-up Party
What better way to bring in the new year than with The Haggis Ceilidh Club's Hogmanay Ceilidh Warm-up at The Old Dr Bells Baths on 30th December!
READ MORE
Countdown to Hogmanay, Ceilidh with The Big Shoogle
The Big Shoogle, the world's rockiest Ceilidh band, is playing the second night of the 2025 Countdown to Hogmanay!
READ MORE
The Haggis Ceilidh Club - Hogmanay Family Party
Haggis Ceilidhs are hosting two family hogmanay parties to give families and friends an opportunity to experience an interactive, fun, authentic and energetic ceilidh during the day!
READ MORE
The Haggis Ceilidh Club - Hogmanay Party at Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Bring in the New Year with the Haggis Chasers Ceilidh Band at Edinburgh Corn Exchange!
READ MORE
Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club
Enjoy a special Bairn’s Hogmanay Ceilidh Club giving young party-goers a chance to join the celebrations with a huge family ceilidh, live music, dancing and Hogmanay fun for all.
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links