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

Indian and global artists come together in Attakkalari’s World Dance, blending traditions, myths, and modern themes

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.

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.

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.