Akademi presents Attakalari movement workshop, 23 & 24 Sep
Tue 23 & Wed 24 September 2025, 6:30-9:30 pm
Create & Destroy – Platform East Studios, Hackney, London
Fee – £30 (1 day) / £50 (both days)
Akademi presented an extraordinary opportunity for South Asian dance practitioners across the UK to deepen their artistic practice through a comprehensive two-day movement intensive with the acclaimed Attakalari team from Bengaluru in September.
The workshop brought together ancient wisdom and contemporary innovation as participants explored the intersection of traditional Indian movement forms with modern artistic expression. This intensive offered artists a unique chance to expand their movement vocabulary and artistic presence through the masterful guidance of internationally renowned practitioners.
The workshop was led by:
- Jayachandran Palazhy – Artistic Director of Attakalari, bringing decades of experience in contemporary Indian dance
- Hemabharathy Palani – Rehearsal Director & Senior Dancer, expert in classical and contemporary fusion
- Nithin Kannoth – Kalarippayattu National Champion, master of this ancient martial art form
Participants got to experience a rich tapestry of movement disciplines as the sessions weaved together Kalarippayattu, Bharatanatyam, and Yoga into a powerful, contemporary movement language. The intensive began each day with grounding breathwork and yoga-based stretches, progressed through energizing cardio warm-ups, and culminated in guided movement phrases that challenged artists to find the balance between traditional precision and contemporary fluidity.
This workshop served as more than just a technical training— a transformative journey that pushes the boundaries of how South Asian movement traditions can speak to contemporary audiences while honouring their profound cultural roots.