Sitting in Alvin Ailey’s wall-to-wall-windows studio on a perfect spring day, a clear view of the city of dreamers in sight, it is hard to imagine that any more magic could be injected into this moment. That is until eight female dancers, clad in navy blue, red and gold skirts, enter the space to a Sufi tune – “O Rangrez.” The audience is immersed, as if caught in the trance. That indomitable New York skyline yields, becoming a place of worship, then a village, perhaps a nightclub.

Led by ClassPass Founder and Artistic Director Payal Kadakia, the Sa Dance Company’s 2016 Studio Showcase on the 23^rd and 24^th of April was a display of incredible synchronicity, elaborate formations and stunning choreography.

The program, divided into five parts, lasted a crisp sixty minutes, in which the now five years old dance company cemented its aesthetic – a modern take on Indian classical and folk dance. In “O Lal Meri,” clean lines were accented by fluid turns. In “Lili Lembhdi Re,” the dancers weaved between each other, moving so effortlessly they appeared as though they were gliding. Kadakia shone throughout the performance, charismatic and energetic. Gayatri Patel Bahl stood out among the brilliant group of performers because of her expressive eyes. Kadakia and Bahl did more than dance, they told a story.

The performance and the afternoon carried the weight of its fearless leader. Kadakia’s stamp was seen throughout – choreography, costume, music choices. This was Kadakia’s manifesto, and she presented it with élan. One can only wonder what the group would do in a theatre with the added effects of lighting, projections and other theatrical elements.

As the company grows, Sa’s loyal following will be expecting more magic, perhaps through a stronger focus on narrative and storytelling. I think the troupe, with its talented leader, should carry forward a mandate to soar, take risks, collaborate, and become an integral force in presenting South Asian performing arts to the world.