In his first appearance at the Barbican, acclaimed visual artist and filmmaker Hetain Patel returns to the stage with a preview performance of his latest solo Mathroo Basha (Mother Tongue in Gujarati). Following the passing of a number of first-generation immigrants in his family, British-born Hetain reflects on what is lost and what is transformed, revisiting rituals rooted in his family’s working-class Brit-Gujarati experience.  

Responding physically to audio interviews of women from his family speaking in Gujarati about inheritance, loss and the future, Hetain delves into the emotional realities of generational change through personal movement explorations where his body becomes the conduit.  

London-based artist Hetain has shown films, paintings, sculptures, photographs and performance work in galleries, theatres and iconic public screens around the world. 

Presented by Dance Umbrella and Barbican. Supported by Cockayne Foundation and Fabric International 

Photo: Camilla Greenwell