Thudippu Dance Foundation
The foundation is committed to creating a nonjudgmental, inclusive space that nurtures creativity and encourages cultural exchange. Driven by a sense of social responsibility, Thudippu actively works to platform talented artists from marginalized communities and underrepresented art forms—those often left unsupported by mainstream art institutions.
What Thudippu Dance Foundation did here
The dance group met after their first stage performance
After their first stage performance, the community dance group gathered at aikyam space to share their experiences and feedback. The discussion gave everyone an opportunity to celebrate what went well, reflect on areas for improvement, and learn from the experience together as they prepare for future performances.
The monthly birthday celebration brought the community together
Our monthly birthday celebration brought the community together to celebrate members born this month. It was a joyful gathering that strengthened friendships and created shared memories.
Dance class carried on with regular practice
The community dance class continued with regular practice as participants prepared together and strengthened their confidence through every session.
Show all 42 sessions
Rehearsals began for a performance in August
Community members are practicing with great dedication for their upcoming performance in August. Through regular rehearsals, they are improving their confidence, coordination, and stage presence while preparing together for this important event.
Thudippu students practised for their first stage show
Thudippu Dance Foundation spent the day practicing with students for their first official stage performance. The extended practice session focused on improving coordination, confidence, and stage readiness. It was exciting to see the students preparing together for this important milestone in their dance journey.
The community dance class practised together again
The community dance class continued with participants practicing together and building confidence through regular learning and teamwork.
Students grew steadier with every dance practice
Students continued their regular dance practice, improving their confidence, coordination, and expressions with each session.
The community dance class met to practise together
The community dance class brought participants together to practice, learn, and build confidence through dance.
Thudippu ran a semi-classical dance workshop for all levels
Thudippu conducted a semi-classical dance workshop, welcoming participants of all experience levels. The workshop created a space for people to explore movement, music, and self-expression while learning together.
The kids' dance class worked on new steps
The regular kids’ dance class continued with students practicing new steps, expressions, and coordination. Regular practice is helping them become more confident, while learning in a fun and encouraging environment.
The dance club practised movement and teamwork
The dance club continued with regular practice, helping participants build confidence, coordination, and teamwork through movement.
Community members gathered for the monthly birthdays
A special Space Moment was created as community members came together to celebrate their monthly birthdays. The gathering brought joy, conversations, and a sense of belonging, reminding us that small celebrations help build a stronger community.
Steps, rhythm and expressions practised again
The regular dance class continued with students practising steps, rhythm, and expressions. Consistent participation is helping them become more confident and comfortable with each session.
Dancers learned from each other in the group class
The community dance class brought together participants to learn, practice, and enjoy dance as a group. Regular sessions are helping participants build confidence while learning from and supporting one another.
The dance class worked on new movements and expressions
The regular dance class continued with participants practicing new movements, expressions, and coordination skills. With each session, they are growing more confident and comfortable, showing steady progress in their learning journey.
Children drew and made things in the craft session
A craft session was conducted for children, giving them time to draw, create, and explore their ideas. The activity encouraged creativity and helped children express themselves through art.
Dancers from different backgrounds practised together
The community dance class brought together participants from different backgrounds to learn and practice dance together. As confidence grows, many participants are becoming more comfortable with movements, expressions, and group coordination.
Another day of craft with new ideas and materials
Children enjoyed another day of craft activities, experimenting with new ideas, materials, and designs.
New steps learned at the community dance class
The community dance class continued with enthusiasm as participants learned new steps and practised together.
The children dance with more confidence than when they started
The children continue to make good progress in their dance classes. Compared to when they started, they are now more confident, coordinated, and comfortable performing different steps. Regular practice is helping them grow in both skill and confidence.
The adult batch started coming in dance uniforms
The adult dance batch has moved to the next level of training and has started attending classes in their dance uniforms. This is an important milestone that reflects their dedication and progress.
Another dance session spent on movement and expression
Students gathered for another lively dance session, spending time refining their movements, rhythm, and expressions. Through regular practice and shared enthusiasm, they are becoming more confident performers while enjoying the sense of connection and teamwork that dance brings.
Dancers built on steps learned in earlier sessions
Students returned to dance practice with energy and focus, building on what they had learned in earlier sessions. As they explored new steps and refined familiar movements, they continued to grow in coordination, rhythm, and confidence while enjoying the shared experience of dance.
The young dancers worked on coordination and rhythm
Through regular practice and gentle guidance, the young dancers continued to develop their coordination, rhythm, and expression. More than just learning steps, the sessions are helping them build confidence and enjoy the experience of moving and learning together.
May's birthdays were celebrated together with cake
Cake, smiles and conversations for everyone born in May. The gathering was a reminder that a community is built not just through activities but through celebrating each other. Wishing all our May birthday stars a wonderful year ahead.
Children experimented in another hands-on craft session
Children spent time creating, experimenting, and learning through simple craft activities that encouraged imagination, focus, and hands-on creativity.
Another day of Bharatanatyam practice for the children
Another day of Bharathanatyam class at the space filled with practice, rhythm, and expression. The children continued learning movements and coordination together while building confidence and discipline through dance.
Thudippu started craft-making sessions for children
Thudippu has started craft-making sessions for children at the space, led by Shilpa VS . Through simple hands-on activities, children are getting a chance to explore creativity, learn new skills, and enjoy making things together in a fun and welcoming environment.
The summer camp closed with an art display and performances
The final day of the summer camp was filled with excitement as children displayed the artworks they created during the camp and proudly shared them with everyone. The day ended with dance and theatre performances at the theatre space, making it a joyful celebration of creativity, learning, and fun.
Role play taught the children to work as a group
Through movement, role play, and expression, children gained the skills to work together as a group.
Campers tried resist dyeing along with dance and games
Day 3 of the summer camp focused on movement, dance, and “Resist Dyeing” activities. Through games, expression, and group sessions, children were encouraged to move freely, think creatively, and participate with confidence.
Summer campers learned storytelling and basic sign language
Day 2 of the summer camp focused on storytelling and learning basic sign language . Through stories, expressions, and simple hand signs, children learned new ways to communicate, listen, and understand each other.
The summer camp opened with yoga and vegetable painting
The summer camp began with an ice-breaking session, followed by animal flow movements, games, and group activities that helped children feel comfortable together. The day continued with yoga and ended with a fun vegetable painting session on cloth, where children explored creativity through colours and patterns.
Bharatanatyam students learned to tell stories without words
The Bharatanatyam class was filled with energy as students practiced expressions, postures, and movements together. With every step and hand gesture, the children are getting to know how dance can tell stories without words.
Children and adults practised Bharatanatyam side by side
The Bharatanatyam class brought together children and community members to practice steps, postures, and rhythm as a group. With every session, the space is slowly growing into a place where learning, discipline, and art come together.
The Bharatanatyam class now runs in two batches
The Bharatanatyam class now runs in two batches, making space for more learners. Yesterday, five new students joined, bringing fresh energy as everyone continues to learn steps, rhythms, and expressions together.
Hand movements and expressions practised in dance class
In the dance class, students practiced hand movements and expressions under guidance. With each correction and repetition, they slowly understood how every gesture tells a story.
Steps and body movements drilled in the Bharatanatyam class
In the Bharatanatyam class, students practiced together, focusing on basic steps and body movements. With guidance and repetition, each movement slowly became more confident and expressive, bringing the dance to life.
Expressions and gestures began to tell a story
The question turned into a moment of learning, as expressions, gestures, and small movements began to tell a story of their own.
Community members practised basic Bharatanatyam steps
Community members came together for Bharatanatyam classes, learning basic steps and practicing together with focus and consistency.
The dance faculty's birthday was celebrated after class
Community members came together for Bharatanatyam classes, learning basic steps with focus and consistency. The day also held a small celebration, as everyone paused to celebrate the faculty’s birthday together.
Acting and expression added to the Bharatanatyam lessons
The community engaged in acting and expression training as part of their Bharatanatyam lessons, exploring how emotions and storytelling can be conveyed through facial expressions and body language.
- A fee-paying dance class started with the students — Saturday 2 May
Their story
What people said
One of the students
“I never thought I'd be able to dance at this age. I have great fun learning a new art form with my friends”