How would you best describe Art Academy?

The Art Academy aims to meet the needs of the people of Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Region so that they have a fertile space whereby they can express their personality through various art forms. It provides high-quality, flexible training and services in the arts. It endeavors to become a hub for learning and personality development through artistic expression and offer quality services to local and regional artists. The Art Academy is a showcase of the Mauritian soul.

What are the influences behind Katha'zz, your dance style?

Katha'zz represents the perfect symbiosis between the culture and spirit of [Mauritius'] multi-ethnic society. It brings together Indian, Spanish, Asian, African and European operatic styles but expressed in the Mauritian Creole language. Through classical Kathak, visual poetry is couched against a backdrop of jazz, blues and an operatic voice. [Japanese Buddhism is] a zen-itude influence, where music becomes water, movement becomes petals and colors become the lotus. Katha'zz is a unique blend of all these influences. Art Academy vividly gives life to all these influences through an explosion of colors, vigor and grace.

Can you expand on your thoughts about the impact of Mauritian culture on your performances?

Mauritius offers an authentic cultural environment. As Mauritians, we do not learn Indian, Chinese or African cultures, [but] we grow with these influences. These different cultures become part of the marrow of every Mauritian. How each aspect is expressed becomes unique and can be seen in our performances. The authenticity of our approach where we blend various cultures that we see as our own is what differentiates us from other African countries. People [across] many cultures and communities can identify and empathize with our performances.

What prompted you to come to China? Can you talk about your performance backed by Jasmine Flower, a piece of Chinese folk music at the Shanghai Expo?

We are sensitive to Chinese music and dance. We like to soak in different environments and cultures from which we draw our inspiration.

It is a privilege to fuse a country's folk music with our own dance style. There was nothing jarring with the way that Kathak could bring to life to the tunes of Jasmine Flower. We chose that song because it was particularly moving and the graceful movements of Kathak blended beautifully with the song's soft beats. It was a magical performance.

You had a dance and poetry performance entitled An Ocean of Colors in Beijing. What was your inspiration, and what message did you want to convey to Chinese audiences?

Our inspiration comes from where we live, surrounded by the ocean. An Ocean of Colors is another reflection of our multicultural origin and our quest for perfection. This is the raison-d'être of the Art Academy. We took away from China much love, love and love...