Attakkalari’s ‘World Dance’ in Bengaluru is a fusion of global and local stories

In an age when conversations about climate change, migration, and identity often play out in boardrooms and on social media, Attakkalari’s World Dance invites audiences to consider these themes in a visceral, physical medium: contemporary dance. From December 12 to 14, Bengaluru’s Freedom Park will become a stage for global narratives, brought to life by an eclectic lineup of performers. Curated by Attakkalari’s artistic director, Jayachandran Palazhy, the program blends local traditions with international influences, offering a sensory and cerebral experience.

For Jayachandran, dance is not just an art form; it is a reflection of our times. “The overarching theme is about talking about our times — especially the climate emergency, environmental concerns, migrations, and war,” he explains. World Dance features performances from Italy, Japan, and the United States alongside Indian artists, creating what Jayachandran calls “different kinds of physical articulations of our time.”

The lineup includes three key performances: Sonnet of Samsara, Folios of Time, and That’s All Folks! — each distinct in its vision yet unified by a shared ambition to push the boundaries of contemporary dance.

Sonnet of Samsara

A sprawling, site-specific work, Sonnet of Samsara is set to animate Freedom Park with a blend of rituals, myths, and stylised abstractions. Drawing inspiration from the sublime — the ineffable experiences that words fail to capture — this performance channels the energy of its location.

“It’s about the rituals and myths as a kind of other side of dreams,” Jayachandran explains. “It represents, in a metaphorical way, what each one of us is going through.” The performance incorporates elements of Indian traditions, from Mizhavu drums of Sanskrit theatre to martial arts like Kalari Payattu.

Live music plays a significant role, with vocalist MD Pallavi accompanied by Japanese electro-acoustic artist Kunihiko Matsuo. The visual elements are equally compelling. Colourful, hand-painted silk flags from the Beach of Dreams project by London-based Kinetika Design Studio will form the backdrop. Created through workshops with communities, these flags tell stories of trials, tribulations, and aspirations.

Folios of Time

Folios of Time
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

If Sonnet of Samsara connects to the past through ritual and myth, Folios of Time looks firmly at the present. It touches the topics of environment, climate emergencies, wars, migration, displacements, existential dilemmas, gender issues, and more. Hence, it becomes imperative to find empathetic somatic expressions to reflect this reality. “While recognising the difficulties humanity faces today, any attempt to offer hope for individuals in building inclusive communities where diversity, tolerance, care for the environment, and sustainable practices is nurtured, needs to be celebrated,” says Jayachandran.

The six selected choreographers – Gayatri Shetty, Harshal Vyas, Pallavi Verma, R Chandiran, R Sai, and Sehere Noor Mehra – were invited for an intense choreography residency in Bengaluru mentored by two acclaimed Italian artists-choreographer Damiano Ottavio Bigi and dramaturge Alessandra Paoletti and their works further embellished by the renowned Japanese digital artist Kunihiko Matsuo.

The six choreographers, selected from 87 applications, bring distinct perspectives to the stage. Their pieces, grouped into two sets of three, form a collective narrative examining our times’ fragmented realities.

That’s All Folks!

That’s All Folks
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

That’s All Folks! is the second chapter in a trilogy by COMPANY Bigi Paoletti that combines dance, science, and myth. While its predecessor, Un Discreto Protagonista, dealt with the origin of the universe, and the physical and astronomical processes involved, That’s All Folks! explores the relationship between man and the cosmos with a quartet of international performers consisting of Damiano Ottavio Bigi, Ching-Ying Chien, Issue Park, and Faith Prendergast. Premiered at Equilibrio Festival 2024, That’s All Folks! is inspired by the concept of event horizon — a boundary in spacetime, typically associated with a black hole, beyond which nothing — neither matter nor even light — can escape. It represents the “point of no return.”

“It’s a very special production,” says Jayachandran. “Damiano has also worked with Dimitris Papaioannou, known for his choreography for the Greek Olympics. This piece brings together elements from those rich traditions.”

Awarded Best Production in Italy, That’s All Folks! reflects the celestial level of human existence through a series of evocative movements and visual designs. “It’s about the sublime connection between us and the universe,” says Jayachandran.

Making dance accessible

That’s All Folks
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Despite its ambitious scope, World Dance also aims to reach audiences who may not be familiar with contemporary dance. Performing under the umbrella of BLR Hubba, the festival promises a welcoming entry point for newcomers.

“This is a unique opportunity for new audiences,” says Jayachandran. “For example, the Mizhavu drums have a soul-stirring quality, and Kalari Payattu is electrifying to watch. Even if you’re new to contemporary dance, these elements will draw you in.”

To those who feel intimidated by the abstract nature of the art form, he offers reassurance: “It’s like tasting sushi for the first time. You might not understand it immediately, but with an open mind, you’ll find a sensorial narrative that speaks to you.”

For him, dance is more than performance — it’s a tool for personal and societal transformation. “Dance addresses the fragmentation of the self in contemporary times,” he says. “It helps us relate to our bodies, to others, and to the environment.”

Catch That’s All Folks! at Bangalore International Centre on December 12 (7.30–8.30pm), Sonnet of Samsara at Freedom Park on December 13 (6.30pm), and Folios of Time at Rangamandala, Attakkalari, on December 14 (10am –12.30pm).