An Indian dance troupe incorporates Kobe Bryant’s moves into their latest creation:<\/p>\n\n
\nThe dribbling is quicksilver, strong and startlingly percussive. The jumps\nlook effortless — and lofty. But this isn’t Staples Center, and instead\nof purple-and-yellow Laker jerseys, the garb consists of sherbet-colored silk\nkurtis, or tunics, cotton drawstring pants and hundreds of ankle bells. In fact,\nthis isn’t a game of basketball but a rehearsal by Anjani’s Kathak Dance of India,\na Diamond Bar-based company that Sunday at La Mirada Theatre will premiere a\nwork inspired by hoops. “Kobe Bryant is my favorite,” gushes Anjani\nAmbegaokar, the 60-year-old dancer, teacher and choreographer who founded the\ncompany in 1985 but only began watching the Lakers on television a few years\nago. “The kid is so graceful that the dancer in me started thinking, ‘How\ndoes he do that? He’s like an artist.’ I became interested in the rhythms of\nhow they play the game and thought, ‘We can incorporate their moves and even\nsounds of bouncing balls into a Kathak-style piece.’” [Los Angeles\nTimes<\/em>]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Their new Kathak moves include a continuous shooting pattern\ndubbed “The Ball Hog,” a back-stabbing motion called “The Shaq,” and\na simulated chokehold with crotch-thrusting labeled “The Eagle, Colo.”<\/p>\n\n
Los Angeles Times<\/em>: A\njump shot, from Kobe to Kathak<\/a> (free registration required)<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An Indian dance troupe incorporates Kobe Bryant’s moves into their latest creation: The dribbling is quicksilver, strong and startlingly percussive. The jumps look effortless — and lofty. But this isn’t Staples Center, and instead of purple-and-yellow Laker jerseys, the garb … Continue reading