Transformation of Traditional Dance in the Work of Akram Khan and the Preservation of National Dance in Kazakh Society

This article examines the transformation of traditional dance culture through the choreographic practice of Akram Khan, focusing on the mechanisms by which the Indian classical dance form Kathak is integrated into contemporary choreography. Drawing on comparative-analytical, historical-cultural, and intercultural approaches, the study analyzes how Khan’s artistic language works at the intersection of tradition and modernity, producing a dynamic synthesis rather than a decorative adaptation of folk forms. The aim of this study is to examine how folk dance has been adapted into Akram Khan's choreographic language. The objectives of the study are to demonstrate how Kathak is reimagined in contemporary choreography; to explore the dialectical relationship between tradition and modernity in Khan's artistic language; to develop an analytical model for studying the changes and preservation of national dance traditions in the context of globalization; and to assess its applicability to the realities of Kazakhstani choreographic culture. Particular attention is paid to the role of postcolonial subjectivity and embodied cultural memory in shaping this synthesis. Through the case of Akram Khan, the article proposes an analytical framework for understanding how national dance traditions can be preserved through creative transformation under conditions of globalization. The findings have a reference to Kazakh choreographic culture, showing perspectives for the development and adaptation of national dance within contemporary artistic practice. The results of the study contribute to dance studies and cultural research by offering a transferable model for analyzing intercultural choreography and provide practical insights for choreographers working with national dance heritage.