In the heart of Belgrave, something extraordinary unfolded, quietly, beautifully,
and with a sense of history in the making.
The visit of Catherine, Princess of Wales, to Leicester was not just a royal engagement;
it was a moment where art, community, and emotion converged in the most powerful way.
Welcomed by Aakash Odedra at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, a space deeply embedded within the local community, the morning carried a resonance that extended far beyond the walls of the building.
This is a place that once stood on uncertain ground, with conversations of closure not so long ago.
To see it now transformed into a stage worthy of royal presence was profoundly moving, a symbol of what belief in the arts can truly achieve.
The day began with a gesture of warmth and grace.
Odedra greeted Her Royal Highness with a delicate floral garland that he made using pearls and red roses, its tones gently complementing the creamy white of her dress.
Reds and whites met in harmony, subtle, poetic, echoing the emotional palette of Songs of the Bulbul, the work at the centre of the visit.
As Odedra guided the Princess through the space, the journey unfolded like a living tapestry of his influences and roots.
A vibrant Holi-inspired piece by dancers of Shiamak Davar paid homage to his guru, the teacher who first shaped his contemporary language.
It was a single, sweeping offering of colour, rhythm, and celebration, filling the room with joy and reverence.
Then, a shift. A quieting.
In a hall transformed in a matter of days, Leicester’s own Bulbul prepared to take flight.
An excerpt of Songs of the Bulbul emerged with breathtaking intimacy.
The voice of Abi Sampa rose, haunting and pure, guided by the musical direction of Rushil Ranjan; both artists associated with the Royal Albert Hall.
They were joined by the deeply resonant Orchestral Qawwali ensemble, alongside the rich orchestral textures of Manchester Camerata and the voices of Royal Voices.
Together, they created something that felt almost suspended in time.
Odedra’s movement carried the weight of memory, love, and loss, each gesture unfolding like a story half-whispered, half-felt.
The room held its breath. Silence became part of the performance, until, gently and unexpectedly, a voice broke through: “You can clap now.”
Laughter followed, warm, shared, human.
Even the Princess joined in, as the spell dissolved into joyful applause.
It was a moment that perfectly captured what art can do: hold us still and then bring us back together again.
After the performance, Her Royal Highness spent time with the artists, speaking, listening, connecting, offering a generosity of presence that left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.
What began as a deeply personal tribute by Odedra to his mother, Kay, his “Bulbul”, has become a work that has travelled the world, touched countless audiences, and now reached the attention of royalty.
As reflected by Aakash Odedra Company Executive Director Skinder Hundal, “It was truly royal, the prince of dance dancing for a royal princess.”
But this moment belongs to many.
Aakash Odedra Company extends its heartfelt thanks to Her Royal Highness for her continued support of the arts, especially in times when creativity and cultural spaces face ongoing challenges.
We also celebrate and thank the entire AOC team, whose dedication made this moment possible; the people of Leicester, whose spirit and support continue to nurture such work; and all those who believe in and champion the arts.
Because this was more than a performance.
It was proof.
Proof that from the heart of a community, from spaces once uncertain, from people who choose to keep creating, something remarkable can rise.
And when it does, the world stops to watch.
Photo Credits: Aashni Sawjani for AOC
