Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts

Nagarika - An integrated information system on Indian physical expressions through technology

(Bangalore, India)

The key objective of the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts (ACMA) is to create a context for contemporary performing arts in India through three programs: Strategic Movement and Digital Arts Development, Education and Outreach, and National and International Platforms. Attakkalari's main focus for the coming years will be an ongoing project called Nagarika, which is being supported by the Foundation. In this interview excerpt, Jayachandran Palazhy, artistic director of Attakkalari, explains the Centre’s involvement in movement arts and the Attakkalari tradition.

Nagarika is a core project of ACMA that involves an engagement with physical traditions such as dance, martial arts, and yoga, in order to research body positions, movements and lines. Specifically, the movement vocabularies of Bharatanatyam and Kalarippayattu were investigated as were their theoretical, historical and cultural contexts. Interviews were conducted with Masters, teachers and practitioners to analyze and demonstrate the teaching methodology, the concept of the body and its presentation, and the ingredients of a traditional performance. This was documented through digital technology in a studio environment and generated an information database and DVD-ROM. In addition, a site-specific installation performance was presented at the Bangalore Biennial 2004. Interactive sessions with the public and students were also organized.