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
Building Rhythm and Coordination Through Revision
On Sunday, most students were absent, so I used the class to revise Adavus and Mudras and introduced basic Chollu and Thalam. This helped me realise the importance of adapting my teaching to the students’ needs and giving them enough time to develop rhythm and coordination. I learned that even a small class can be a valuable opportunity to observe and support each student.
Community programme leads shared progress and worked through challenges together
Shabana, who leads the Stitching Club, met with Anjali of Thudippu Dance Foundation and Aarthi of Olimalar Foundation for their weekly check-in at aikyam space. They shared updates on their work so far, spoke about the challenges they faced, helped one another think through possible solutions, and reflected on what they had learned over the past week.
Thudippu team meets to plan community activities
The Thudippu Dance Foundation team held an internal meeting at aikyam space to discuss their ongoing work with the community. We focused on planning upcoming activities and coordinating how we can continue supporting the community through dance and related programmes.
Show all 20 sessions
Olimalar and Thudippu discuss how to support children better
Aarthi from Olimalar Foundation and Anjali Krishnadas from Thudippu Dance Foundation met at aikyam space to discuss how we could work together to help the children from the community. We talked about understanding the children better and finding ways to support their learning, confidence, creativity, and participation through future activities.
The dance group met after their first stage performance
After our first stage performance, we gathered at aikyam space to share our 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 we 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.
Another craft session for the children
The children had another craft session. They explored their creativity while learning through hands-on activities.
A craft session for children ran again
On 14 March 2024, we ran a craft session for children. The children made things with their hands. It encouraged creativity, patience, and learning.
Community members gathered for the monthly birthdays
We held a Space Moment on 12 July 2024, where community members celebrated their monthly birthdays. People talked and enjoyed themselves. It reminded us that small celebrations help build a stronger community.
Children made things from simple materials
On 14 March 2024, we ran a craft session for children. They used basic materials to explore new ideas. We encouraged creativity, patience, and learning through making things.
Children drew and made things in the craft session
We ran a craft session for children on 14 July 2024. They drew, made things, and explored ideas. The activity let them be creative and express themselves through art.
Another day of craft with new ideas and materials
The children did craft activities. They tried new ideas, materials and designs.
May's birthdays were celebrated together with cake
We held a gathering for everyone born in May. There was cake, smiles and conversations. We wished all our May birthday stars a wonderful year ahead.
Children experimented in another hands-on craft session
The children spent time making things, trying things out, and learning through simple crafts. They used their imaginations, concentrated, and got their hands dirty.
Thudippu started craft-making sessions for children
Thudippu started craft-making sessions for children at the space, led by Shilpa VS. We gave the children simple hands-on activities so they could 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
On 28 July, the children exhibited the artworks they made during the summer camp. They showed them to everyone. Later, they performed dances and theatre in the theatre space. It was a joyful celebration.
Role play taught the children to work as a group
The children learned to work as a group through movement, role play, and expression.
Campers tried resist dyeing along with dance and games
On Day 3 of the summer camp, we ran movement, dance, and Resist Dyeing activities. We encouraged the children to move freely, think creatively, and participate with confidence through games, expression, and group sessions.
Summer campers learned storytelling and basic sign language
On 2 August, we ran Day 2 of the summer camp. We focused on storytelling and teaching basic sign language. The children learned new ways to communicate, listen and understand each other through stories, expressions and simple hand signs.
The summer camp opened with yoga and vegetable painting
The summer camp started with an ice-breaking session. We then did animal flow movements, games and group activities so the children felt comfortable with each other. The day continued with yoga and finished with a vegetable painting session on cloth, where the children explored creativity through colours and patterns.
Their story
- Friends of Thudippu Edition 5: Bringing Daffumuttu and Arabana Muttu to Fort Kochi — Friday 11 September
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”