In Inked, Aakash Odedra commissions Oliver Award-winning choreographer Damien Jalet to explore tribal markings and tattoos. Inspired by the tattoos of Aakash's grandmother, the duo explore notions of belonging, protection and limitation.

In this program, Aakash Odedra strives to apply his mastery of classical dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam in a contemporary dance setting, utilizing the full potential of modern design technology.

Inked is choreographed by Damien Jalet. Emerging from a body-shaped cutout at the back of the stage, Odedra explores the stage, initially enclosed by strips of light. The movement is precise but awkward, as if exploring a new universe. When the lights come up, Odedra tumbles across the stage, his hands clasped together in serpentine shapes. A pot of ink is spilled and Odedra picks up the ink on his body and carves curved patterns on the stage with great precision and his usual fluid movement.

The program of two solos concludes with Murmur, a 35-minute work with powerful visual effects and no fewer than 19 designers and technicians to bring it to life. Odedra was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, and his learning difficulties overshadowed his dancing abilities. But he was eventually able to turn that around and use dance as his preferred mode of creative expression. In Murmur, he attempts to express his personal narrative. The piece begins with Odedra reading a book with increasing frustration, eventually putting it down. Pages fall from the sky and with increasing desperation he tries to keep up with the cascade; eventually the pages are picked up by a circle of fans and fly around the stage, creating a strong visual impact. We see a projected stylized image of Odedra synchronized with him, dancer and image performing a duet, and then as the light fades, only the image, though we know the dancer is still there. The style is predominantly contemporary and Odedra's movement is always striking.

Murmur's visual effects are often stunning, but some of the most memorable moments occur when Odedra simply dances in the Kathak style with breathtaking speed and fluidity. There really is a lesson there.