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 Part of University of Nottingham UK | China | Malaysia
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Theatre & Dance

Jaivant Patel Company presents

Astitva

Tue 17 Nov 2026, 7.30pm

Djanogly Theatre

£14-£18

Concession prices available.

Coming soon
Sold out
Astitva has sold out

Priority booking Wed 8 Jul, 12:00pm

On general sale Wed 15 Jul, 12:00pm

On general sale Wed 15 Jul, 12:00pm

This event is sold out. Please contact our box office on 0115 846 7777 to be added to the waiting list.

Running time

1 hour 10 minutes, no interval

Age range

Suitable for ages 13+

Coming soon
Sold out
Astitva has sold out

Priority booking Wed 8 Jul, 12:00pm

On general sale Wed 15 Jul, 12:00pm

On general sale Wed 15 Jul, 12:00pm

This event is sold out. Please contact our box office on 0115 846 7777 to be added to the waiting list.

Astitva (meaning existence) is a powerful and evocative dance production, offering a rare and moving portrayal of British-Indian gay men.

This ground-breaking work explores the complex realities of balancing tradition, culture, and identity, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of navigating sexuality, cultural expectations, and love in a world that often doesn’t make space for you.

Through its intimate exploration of seeking, desire, acceptance, and love, ASTITVA brings queer South Asian stories to the forefront, inviting you to connect, reflect, and celebrate the beauty of being human.

Each of the four episodes – Seeking, Desire, Acceptance, and Love – delve into universal emotions we all share. From navigating sexuality under the weight of cultural expectations to the yearning for love and belonging, these personal stories come alive with a gripping intensity and grace that resonate deeply with the human condition.

Whether you’re drawn to dance, storytelling, or the exploration of diverse identities, ASTITVA offers something profound and deeply relatable. It holds up a mirror to our own lives, our families, and our shared values, while daring us to imagine new possibilities.

This performance is followed by a post-show Q&A with Jaivant Patel.

Watch the trailer...

As a dance artist, LGBTQ+ and South Asian homosexual, Patel is refreshingly unique. The inconceivable relationship between religion and homosexuality in Patel’s YAATRA is a first for dance within our global culture. Instead of a cryptic condemnation of the past, Patel critiques tradition through reinvention.”

Katie Hagan, Dance Art Journal

Part of the Queer Up Duck! Festival

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Co-presented by

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