The White Whale is a Kuchipudi retelling of Moby Dick by Herman Melville, choreographed by Kasi Aysola. Reimagined through the figures of the captain, the sailor, and the whale, the piece becomes a metaphor for humanity’s obsession with control and greed. Juxtaposing the sacred and the secular, this work explores mankind’s relentless pursuit of power over nature. Through dynamic movement, storytelling, and imagery, The White Whale challenges audiences to reflect on our broken relationship with the natural world and the price we pay for our actions.
Kasi Aysola is a dynamic Kuchipudi artist based in Maryland, celebrated for his engaging work as a performer, choreographer. Trained in Bharatanatyam under Viji Prakash and Mythili Prakash, he later found his artistic voice in Kuchipudi through the guidance of Vempati Ravi Shankar and Yamini Saripalli.
As co-founder and Artistic Director of Prakriti Dance, Kasi creates bold, original works that bring Indian classical dance to new audiences. The company has toured nationally and led arts education programs in over 65 schools across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.
Kasi’s work has been presented at premier venues including The Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow, World Music Institute and the Battery Dance Festival, and supported by institutions like the Maryland State Arts Council and National YoungArts Foundation, National Academies Keck Futures Initiative. He remains committed to expanding the reach of Kuchipudi and mentoring the next generation of artists.
