03 Aug 2011

Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts: Diploma in Movement Arts & Mixed Media

Attakkalari - Diploma in Movement Arts & Mixed Media


In 2006, Attakkalari launched its Diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media, the first 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.

The programme prepares technically sound and strong performers adept in varied movement approaches and provides an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to evolve into creative, aware and thinking practitioners of the art of dance and dance-making. Attakkalari's pioneering research over the past years into Indian physical traditions and the wealth of knowledge from its large pool of international artists is enormously beneficial to the course.

Currently, Attakkalari is offering a one-year certification and reputed teachers of Indian physical traditions, contemporary dance, ballet and other movement techniques, choreographers and leading practitioners in the fields of digital and sonic arts comprise the regular and visiting faculty. The course is physically demanding and lays emphasis on body conditioning and technique classes, ensuring correct body posture and alignment, safe movement practices, balance, strength and flexibility. Body conditioning classes combine Kalarippayattu, Yoga and sports training strategies and are supported by classes in basic Anatomy.

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

Graduates of the program have gone on to join the Attakkalari Repertory, Residency and Exchange programs in the UK and elsewhere and to pursue internationally successful careers in Contemporary dance, Physical theatre, Choreography, Teaching, etc.

The Diploma will soon be developed into a three year programme that will provide a unique balance of various Indian physical traditions and aesthetics with contemporary dance and new developments in lighting, stagecraft and digital technology, and will include classes in critical theory and arts management besides academic subjects like art history, philosophy, pedagogy, and anatomy in the curriculum. For more details, please Download our Brochure.

The academic year is from September to August. The fee is Rs 72,000 (plus 10.3% service tax) per annum for Indian applicants and Euro 3000/- per annum for international applicants. For talented Indian students from economically underprivileged backgrounds, Attakkalari offers very limited scholarships.