Attakkalari
India Biennial

An idea that was planted in 2000, AIB has grown over the years to become one of India’s - and South Asia’s - largest and preeminent movement and digital arts festivals. It has emerged as a revered stage for renowned dancers and choreographers the world over, and as a platform for encouraging new talent in the contemporary movement arts space in the region. The Biennial in every edition has succeeded in presenting acts and ideas that question the status quo, raise uncomfortable questions and show a new way of thinking. Like all art must do. 

As a cultural force, the Biennial has also attempted to reflect and mirror contemporary realities. This year is no different. In this new world we inhabit, the boundaries of the stage have been blurred. The proscenium today has segued past brick-and-mortar into our devices. In step with this new world order, AIB 2021-22 comes to you as a hybrid festival, so that viewers anywhere in the world can cue in and immerse themselves in the shows. It will be a translocal community initiative where artistes, art lovers and viewers can come together to watch, connect and dialogue with one another - irrespective of their physical geographies.  

Highlights of AIB 2021-22 include: 

1. Keeping COVID-19 protocols in mind, the Attakkalari India Biennial will be held over three months from December to February. Almost all of the events will be held over the weekends. 

2. AIB kicks off with the Winter School, which is a set of workshops that will be conducted by international choreographers who are participating in the festival. 

3. The mainstage performances of the festival will begin with the premiere of Sthavara Jangama. Choreographed by festival director Jayachandran Palazhy with music composed by MD Pallavi and Bindhumalini, the performance piece takes inspiration from the art and architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire and juxtaposes it with modern dance forms. 

4. Screendance, the film screening component of the festival, is being done in collaboration with organisations such as the InKo Centre,  Korean Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Partnership Initiative 2021, Belfast International Arts Festival among others. There’s also a selection of films curated by the Attakkalari Festival team. This event will be completely online. 

5. Open Call is a two-day event where young and upcoming Indian dancers will get a chance to showcase their latest dance pieces. 

6. Ligament, a publication project on dance writing and documenting the festival, has been a steady component of AIB. Led by Meghna Bhardwaj this year, the project will be conducted completely online.