Performance Dance faculty member Louis Laberge-Côté collaborates with Nova Bhattacharya to unite Bharatnatyam and modern dance forms

Presented at Citadel + Compagnie, একসঙ্গে / Akshongay is a captivating duet that unites Bharatnatyam and modern dance to express themes of love, friendship, heartbreak and togetherness. The performance is choreographed and performed by Nova Bhattacharya and Performance Dance faculty member Louis Laberge-Côté. 

For Performance, Laberge-Côté teaches modern and contemporary dance techniques as well as movement improvisation. Through his work as a performer and choreographer in projects like একসঙ্গে / Akshongay, he remains present in the dance industry and is able to bring his professional experience into the classroom. 

Even more, Performance Design and Production faculty member Debashis Sinha is a collaborator on this project as Sound Design Support. Performance is a leader in fusing industry practice with pedagogy and faculty member collaborations like Laberge-Côté and Sinha make this possible through their work.

Performance students are encouraged to participate in the live entertainment industry as active audience members— having their teachers involved in professional productions increases their participation and makes events more accessible often by offering special discounts or exclusive artist talkbacks.

একসঙ্গে / Akshongay first premiered in 2013 and this remount continues to celebrate the artistic partnership of Bhattacharya and Laberge-Côté. Their artist notes for the piece read: 

Akshongay is the Bengali word for “together.” Our stories—our love stories; our cultural and dance backgrounds; our passions, regrets; our present, and past; our creative relationship and friendship—together, all these elements form the essence of Akshongay.  

The performance runs from April 23rd-26th, 2025 at The Citadel (Toronto, ON).