Attakkalari – Centre for Movement Arts
Attakkalari combines unique blend of traditional dance styles, such as Kalaripayattu and Bharatanatyam, with contemporary, ballet and other international styles
Jayachandran Palazhy is the Founder and Artistic Director of Attakalari which offers diploma courses for various types of dance forms.
SCOPE FOR BECOMING A DANCE ARTIST
Attakalari offers one year diploma courses. “The rules are the participants must be 16 years of age or above. They should have class XII academic qualification. There is an audition process to check their coordination, musicality, aptitude for dance and performance”, said Mr. Jayachandran. The course is of international standard and it is very highly sought after. He said, “Students who pass this course get great opportunities to work as teachers, dancers, choreographers, and personal trainers in India and abroad”.
DIPLOMA COURSE DETAILS
When asked about the fees, Mr. Jayachandran said, “Fees is Rs.1,00,025 for the entire course. Every day, students will stay from 8AM to 6PM. We help them develop dancing sense for modern contemporary dance. We have regular classes of classical dances like Bharathnatyam, Kalaripayattu to help them learn the basics”. Apart from the classics, students also learn ballet, light design, art history, dance history, anatomy, healthy dance practices, diet, preventing and learning to manage injuries. Mr. Jayachandran said that the diploma is a very comprehensive course.
“Flexibility can be developed later even if the students don’t have a dance background.” He said, “We teach the principles and concepts to understand the dance instead of copying others. We update them about international dancing and we have international faculty who teach them”. This helps students to understand multiple facets of dance. Mr. Jayachandran said, “We try to creative dancers who can do anything that their imagination calls out”.
FOUNDATION FOR DANCING
Mr. Jayachandran said, “We accept children above 5 years of age for weekend classes or after school hours. We also have young adult groups, teenage groups and such. We also have courses for adults as there is no age limit for dancing. You can learn dance at any age.” When asked about the importance of learning dance, he said, “Howard Gardener put forward theory called theory of multiple intelligence. Traditional education system only teaches logical, mathematical and linguistic intelligence. The other types such as Kinesthetic, musical, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and natural intelligence can be learnt through student centered dancing programs”.
He also said, “Various neurological channels are stimulated only by music and dancing practice. This is beneficial for older people also which helps them to improve agility and mental stability”.
When asked about summer camps, “We organize two weeks programs when students are away from their school. Interested children can come later for regular classes”. Kalaripayattu is a martial arts form from Kerala, southern parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Mr. Jayachandran said, “Boys and girls can develop excellent mind-body coordination, flexibility and it also has medical benefits. It is also called as dynamic yoga incorporating strenuous and earthy movements. We have a mobile academy and education cell take schools, colleges, corporate companies to take participants and work with them for a period of time to help them develop a sense of achievement.”
DANCE EVENTS
When asked about events and performances, Mr. Jayachandran said, “Performances are an important part of our activities. Our children tour to various places for dancing events. We also have our own productions. We don’t necessarily encourage students to participate in competitions and reality shows in televisions. We teach dance for personality, artistic and intellectual development.” Mr. Jayachandran concluded saying that, “People should learn dance to lead a fulfilling and complete life”.
For more info visit: http://attakkalari.org/
Contact: Attakkalari
Centre for Movement Arts
24-04, BTS Bus Depot Road, Wilson Garden,
Behind Mandovi Motors Bengaluru – 560 027.
Mob : 9845946003
Tel : +91 80 2212 3684, 4148 3534, 4146 7690