Butterfly Lovers

Butterfly Lovers

Butterfly Lovers premiered in 1958 and was the late Santha Bhaskar's first full-length production in Singapore. She was already taken up by the multicultural atmosphere and the ease with which the various ethnic groups got along. Watching the Chinese film version of the tale sealed the deal and inspired her to stage the work. With the multi-ethnic students she had, she gave audiences then a Bharatanatyam lens to the Chinese folktale.

Now BAA is thrilled to reimagine this work more than six decades later, this time choreographed by Mrs Bhaskar’s daughter and Artistic Director, Meenakshy Bhaskar, who brings a different perspective to the work. Staged in Dec 2021 at the Victoria Theatre, which was the venue of the premiere as well, this restaging is part of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre's Cultural Extravaganza.

Butterfly Lovers is the story of star-crossed lovers Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai which will take you on a journey of friendship, separation, heartache and reunion, and is one of the Four Great Folktales. The work features renowned musician Rajkumar Bharathi's music composition and Neil Chua on the ruan, as well as voiceover narrations by Kamini Ramachandran.

Dates: 3 – 5 Jun 2022 (Fri – Sun), 8.00pm
Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium, Level 9
Duration: 90 min, no intermission
Ticket Price: $25, $30

Get your tickets here




Upcoming Events

  • 28
  • Apr 23
Bhaskareeyam 2023
BAA’s annual performing arts festival Bhaskareeyam is here! Featuring artistically proficient as well as novel works, the Festival serves as a platform for artistes to come together and celebrate the Arts.

Recent Events

  • 13
  • Mar 23
Feel Move Dance Sing
Three-day Music and Dance Workshop for Kids for the March school holidays
  • 05
  • Mar 23
Sudar - A Spark of Devotion
SOLD OUT!! The first production shaped through BAA's ChoreoLab scheme, Sudar is presented in totality by BAA's next generation artists.
  • 18
  • Nov 22
Marabu - Footprints of an Artist
As a tribute to the late pioneer artist Santha Bhaskar, Marabu - Footprints of an Artist traces her journey from her humble origins in Kerala, India, to the blossoming of her career as a dancer and choreographer in Singapore.
  • 09
  • Oct 22
Aathma Arpanam
In the final episode of this year's Prasaantham series, Company Dancer Malini Bhaskar presents Aathma Arpanam.
  • 24
  • Sep 22
Aham Brahmaasmi
An exploratory dance drama choreographed and performed by Odissi danseuse Indu Vijay, featuring Indo-contemporary dancer Shahrin Johry.
  • 10
  • Sep 22
Nivritti – A Journey Inward
In the second presentation of this year's Prasaantham series, Company Dancer Usha Anbalagan takes the stage.
  • 06
  • Aug 22
Vazhi
BAA Company Dancer Sarenniya Ramathas presents Vazhi as part of this year's Prasaantham series.
  • 30
  • Jun 22
Bhaskareeyam 2022
BAA’s annual performing arts festival Bhaskareeyam curates artistically proficient as well as novel works, and serves as a platform for artistes to come together and celebrate the Arts.
  • 03
  • Jun 22
Butterfly Lovers
A Chinese legend through the lens of Indian classical dance! Bhaskar's Arts Academy recreates this old gem together with Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
  • 21
  • May 22
Ceremonial Enactments
In Ceremonial Enactments for the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2022, three Singaporean companies imagine a resplendent tapestry of local customary rituals, told with a contemporary twist.