Attakkalari India Biennial organised by the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts is “a platform for fresh voices in contemporary dance, digital arts and research” that was launched in 2000. Held every two years for 10 days in multiple venues across Bengaluru, the festival features main-stage performances and satellite events by dance companies from India and around the world as well as seminars, screenings of films on dance, a writers' residency and a choreographers' residency.
Cie Nicole Seiler from Switzerland; Compagnie Marie Chouinard from Canada; Gamblerz & Animation and Second Nature Dance Company from South Korea; Tao Dance Theater from China; and Tero Saarinen Company from Finland are among the international companies that have been part of previous editions. Aditi Mangaldas’ Timeless, Carolyn Carlson’s Man in a Room, Cesc Gelabert’s Gelabert V.O+ and Philip Saire’s Black Out are some of the notable productions to have been staged at the Attakkalari India Biennial over the years. The tenth and most recent edition was a hybrid instalment presented over weekends from December 2021 to February 2022.
Check out more dance festivals here.
How to Reach Bengaluru
1. By Air: You can reach Bengaluru via air at Bengaluru International Airport, which is located at a distance of 40 km from the city.
2. By Rail: Bengaluru Railway Station is located in the heart of the city. Various trains from all over India come to Bengaluru, including the Mysore Express from Chennai, Karnataka Express from Delhi and Udyan Express from Mumbai, which covers many major cities in between.
3. By Road: The city is connected to various other cities via major national highways. Buses from neighbouring states run on a regular basis to Bengaluru, and Bengaluru Bus Stand also runs various buses to major cities in South India.
Source: Goibibo



1. Woolens. Bengaluru during winter is pleasantly cold, with temperatures ranging from 15°C-25°C.
2. A sturdy water bottle, if the festival has refillable water stations and the venue allows bottles to be taken inside.
3. Comfortable footwear. Sneakers or boots (but make sure they are worn in).
4. COVID packs: Hand sanitiser, extra masks and a copy of your vaccination certificate are things you should keep handy.


