mavin_khoo

15/04/2026

12/04/2026

Draft caption for the insta post:

“Whenever we come together, it is never the same…we just let go.”

Working with Arun Anna always brings that sense of ease and unpredictability at the same time - which is rare, and something I really value.

There’s a shared understanding between us, but we don’t try to fix anything too tightly. Things shift, respond, and unfold differently - instinctively - each time. We’ll be performing together at The Bhavan UK on Thursday 30 April.

On stage with us will be four wonderful accompanying artists - my student .anand5 on nattuvangam, .r on mridangam, on violin and .sivakumaran on veena.

Tickets are on sale on the Bhavan’s website.

Video:

09/04/2026

Sumanasa Foundation is delighted to present Art Unfettered, the culmination of our Grants Project 2025 and the second edition of this initiative. The works being showcased have been developed by artists through grants awarded by the Foundation, enabling them to explore and bring new artistic ideas to life.

Do join us in supporting these remarkable artists as they premiere their new works on *April 12 & 13 at 5:30 pm*, at the M.S. Subbulakshmi Auditorium, Asian College of Journalism, Taramani, Chennai. All are welcome!

28/03/2026

“The elements of live performance, improvisation, musical structure…these really are the essence of the very specific experience that is created when Mavin Khoo and O.S. Arun come together.”

Arun and I share a long history as collaborating artists. We have a largely unspoken understanding of how our art forms want to interact with each other. It’s instinctive rather than being conditioned or taught.

We will be performing together at the Bhavan UK on Thursday 30 April. On stage with us will be my student .anand5 on nattuvangam, the energetic .r playing the mridangam, and two lovely artists I’m looking forward to working with - on violin and .sivakumaran on veena.

Tickets are on sale on Bhavan’s website.

26/03/2026

My relationship with my guru, Adyar K. Lakshman, shaped far more than my dance - it deeply influenced how I live and think as an artist.
I’m delighted to have been invited by a wonderful young dancer , to deliver an online lecture on Lakshman Sir’s distinctive choreography. I’ll be exploring the primacy he placed on musicality, the unique flow of his jathis, and his sensitive approach to narrative and characterisation.

This talk will be held online on Sunday 19th April at 2 pm UK time. It is being organised by a collaborative of groups:





To register for this online talk, please email [email protected]

22/03/2026

I can’t even begin to describe my obsession with the melodic structure of this one line, the brilliance of its identity within the Raga scale that somehow creates other worldly majestic romanticism - so simple in meaning where the heroine simply suggests the overwhelming sensations that have come with her desire. It’s a perfect example of when the Dance has to sit in simplicity and the Music has to be the driving force- I totally love the nuances that my dearest articulates with so much sensitivity and depth… the brilliance of violin as she explores the higher octave… total bliss l

15/03/2026

‘When Arun Anna sings for me, I can literally feel his hand kind of guiding me…And I try to offer a hand as well. And it’s very much like his voice is dancing with me and my body is singing with him.”

At the end of April - on Thursday 30 April - the magnificent and I will be coming together on stage at The Bhavan UK. Every concert with him is special and this one will be on a day special to me…

On stage with Arun Anna and me will be my student .anand5 on nattuvangam, the electric .r playing the mridangam, and two lovely artists I’m looking forward to working with - on violin and .sivakumaran on veena.

Tickets are on sale on Bhavan’s website.

Video:

17/02/2026

Every year during Chinese New Year I get a bit reflective, nostalgic and emotional - I’ve not spent Chinese New Year with my family in more than 30 years - and yet, growing up… it was such a big part of our yearly celebrations … my mum of Sri Lankan Tamilzh descent married into a Chinese family took on her role as eldest daughter in law with tremendous gusto - our house would be the central home with celebrations that would last days sometimes even a week with open house and nightly feasts - my Chinese grandmother would make her special nyonya curry with my mum making her roti jala we try ly are Malaysian) - missing home, my mum and brothers .isatsea 🥹 and missing my Chinese-ness (that I started to appreciate so much later in life) 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Gong Xi Fa Chai all ( I can literally hear my father on the phone scolding me for wrong pronunciation 🙈🙈🙈) 🐉🐲🏮🧨🧧🇨🇳🎎🏯㊙️

19/12/2025

I have long admired the work of Sumanasa Foundation - the commitment to opening up artistic spaces and to supporting negated artistic communities resonates with me. And so it gives me great pleasure to be dancing on Sunday 21 Dec to raise funds for this organisation. My dear musical collaborators will be .kanth . This recital will be presented at the historic and I am grateful to and for their support.

14/12/2025

I will be in Chennai for a brief two days. I am really glad I can do one adavu class with Chennai dancers - it’s one of the essential experiences of Margazhi for me. The class will be at . If you would like to sign up, write to [email protected]

12/12/2025

It the 2nd edition of Varnamala: my attempt at giving back in some way to the generation that will take our Dance forward and ensure that it continues to evolve and grow. I’m so excited to present these 3 exceptional artists and the stunning choreography of - thank you dear artists for your commitment and belief in your practise 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽so happy to be presenting this in Bengaluru this year with such a committed team of musicians - so grateful for the support from and and of course my dear 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

11/12/2025

Something like this:

My week in Bangalore has been deeply enriching. I’ve spent my days at - working with .pv and their wonderful musicians and .

At the end of this week I will be performing in their theatre space - a margam that I will be presenting with . Tickets can be purchased at Punyah Theatre’s website.