From July 16 to August 10, 2024, Simone Donati led a choreographic project at the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts in Bangalore, thanks to the collaboration between Marche Teatro, Attakkalari, and the support of Crossing The Sea. This project offered a rich multicultural exchange of artistic practices and marked a moment of shared growth for all participants.
During the week, I worked with diploma-level students, splitting time between study and choreographic research. On weekends, I had the pleasure of leading open community workshops called “Monsoon Classes,” which further enriched the experience. The generosity and hospitality of director Jayachandran Palazhy, the team, and the students created an extraordinary working environment.
The creative process with the 13 students was gradual and collaborative, approached with passion and dedication. In addition to contemporary dance, the students brought with them a strong knowledge of traditional Indian techniques, such as Bharatanatyan and Kalari. It was inspiring to learn these languages and draw from their roots to enrich my choreographic research.
The choreography developed is titled JAD.
In JAD (a Hindi word meaning root), a group of dancers weaves an intricate tapestry of movement that delves into the very roots of the human experience. This contemporary dance piece explores the multifaceted nature of familial traditions, probing both the steadfast and the fluid, the conventional and the subjective. Through a collaborative and guided process, the dancers unearthed personal memories, shared bonds, and a rich weave of emotions tied to their past and present. There were also moments of writing by the students, which led to the development of a complex text used as both inspiration and a choreographic map. Some free time spent discovering museums, temples, and social spots in Bangalore enriched my research.
JAD journeys through the universal terrain of childhood, a phase that unites us all despite diverse experiences. The dancers embody the imprints of familial rituals and the deep influence of these early memories on our behavior, worldview, and life choices.
Absence becomes a central motif throughout the performance, reflecting the voids left by people, places, routines, and traditions. Absence, whether due to loss or change, shapes our existence in profound ways. The choreography, born from an intimate group exploration, delves into the essence of these absences and the resilience they demand.
Through physical expression, JAD invites the audience to reflect on their own roots, to recognize the invisible threads of tradition and memory that influence their lives, and to find comfort in the shared experience of loss and growth. JAD is a compelling exploration of what it means to be rooted yet constantly evolving.
The project culminated in a performance on August 9 during the closing event of the academic year. This experience was an incredibly enriching opportunity for me, a meeting with a vibrant and deeply rooted culture. I experienced one of the most significant and stimulating cultural exchanges of my career so far.
