Stage Buzz:Dance:Attakari Diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media

Attakkalari's Artistic Director will be in Delhi to hold an audition on Saturday May 2nd at the Max Mueller Bhavan from 4pm - 6pm. The audition is for students who want to join the Diploma and also for trained dancers who want to join the repertory.

Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts is engaged in creating a context for contemporary physical expressions in India by drawing from rich Indian performance traditions as well as the international performing arts scene. Committed to interdisciplinary performance work, Attakkalari is an umbrella organization facilitating and producing international arts events as seen in the recently concluded Attakkalari India Biennial 2009 held in Bangalore over ten days.The festival brought artistes and performances from a host of countries across the globe to multiple venues in Bangalore. Besides the regular onstage performances there were also site specific works, workshops and seminars.

Responding to the growing demand for professional training opportunities in Contemporary Dance in India, in September 2006, Attakkalari opened its Diploma in Movement Arts & Mixed Media, a landmark project and the first and to date the only one of its kind in India. This carefully crafted programme is designed to enable young dancers with the requisite skills to work both in the performative and educational contexts, in India and internationally.

Diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media

While the Diploma is planned as a 3-year programme, Attakkalari is currently offering a one year certification with a structured and comprehensive education in Movement Arts and allied subjects. Equipped with a wealth of experience and years of research, Attakkalari offers a truly innovative curriculum delivered by an international and reputed faculty.

Exploration of the Body & Introduction to Mixed Media during the first year:

The Certificate Course lays emphasis on body conditioning and technique classes, ensuring correct body posture and alignment, safe movement practices, balance, strength and flexibility. Body conditioning classes will combine Kalaripayattu, Yoga and sports training strategies and will be supported by classes in basic Anatomy.

Technique classes will include movement languages of Contemporary Dance, Bharatanatyam and Ballet. Creative exercises consist of movement improvisation and introduction to choreographic techniques. Modules in Light Design, Dance Pedagogy, Philosophy, Aesthetics and Art History are also part of the curriculum.

Classes run 5 days a week from Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. The course is physically demanding and it is important to be very fit.

Admission to the programme is through an audition. For instance we will be holding an audition in Delhi on Saturday, May 2nd from 4pm -6pm at the Max Mueller Bhavan. No prior dance experience is required, the audition is like attending a class/workshop in movement - we only need to test your movement aptitude.

Application forms for the diploma can also be downloaded from the net. In the 2009 - 2010 year the fee for the course will be Rs. 72,000/- This is to be paid in two installments - Rs. 50,000/- at the start of the first semester in September and Rs. 22,000/- in January.

There are more details about Attakkalari available on our website www.attakkalari.org

Eliamma Rao

Manager Education & Development

Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts

24-04 BTS Depot Road (Behind Mandovi Motors)

Wilson Garden

Bangalore -560 027.

Tel: 91-080-22123684

Tel-Fax: 91-080-22123809

E-mail: attakkalari.diploma@gmail.com

Website: www.attakkalari.org