About Zoobin


Zoobin trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and studied for a Master’s in Choreography from Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts in Tilburg. Surty’s unique style combines the form and discipline of Indian Classical dance with the expression and virtuosity of Contemporary dance. Zoobin has many years experience as a dancer, choreographer and dance educator . Zoobin’s recent creations include: Dukh Sukh (2007) a piece for Flight Effect Dance Company (York St John’s University) which was toured as a graduation piece; Tea, Coffee, Me? (2008) for the Carriageworks Theatre. Zoobin was the choreographer for Bollywood Jane  (2007) for the West Yorkshire Playhouse which saw him working with  a large cast of professionals, semi professionals and community members. He has previously received Arts Council Funding for his community based project Bollywood Tyohar! ( 2009) in which he collaborated with visual artists, musicians and community dancers to create a large scale production which showcased in Leeds and York. The first piece from Project Agni, H-Individulality, previewed at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2013 as part of Open Season. 

“Glamour and style are central to Zoobin Surty’s unique fusion of Bharatnatyam, Khatak and Contemporary Dance. His choreographic approach creates a rich, yet subtle mix of images inspired by Bollywood and contemporary everyday life in Mumbai and Leeds. He has a wide experience of disseminating his practice as a successful Contemporary Dance and Bollywood teacher and sought after choreographer.”
Prof. Christy Adair

“The movement is sharp, dynamic and there is a clear choreographic voice. Energy/power, performance presence and the power of rhythm are embodied and explored within the work.
The visceral quality of both movement content and performance is highly charged and mesmeric, making a big impact on the audience. It is athletic and surprising, as dancers shift through levels, partnering and separating at speed. At the same time, the depth in the movement and moments of submissive softness touch on something profound and lyrical. In this way Zoobin's work connects his stridently contemporary dance to the spiritual root of Indian classical dance. His work is also calls to mind the tradition of dancing to sung texts, or poetry, and I feel in the presence of a confident story teller.”

Janet Smith – Principal, NSCD