Established in 1992, Attakkalari is a public charitable trust formed by artistes from different disciplines to help create contexts for contemporary physical expressions in India. The Centre’s movements are oriented towards contemporary dance, kalaripayattu (martial art of Kerala), yoga, ballet and other international dances.

The Centre has an institutional grant from Sir Ratan Tata Trust and is also supported in its activities by India Foundation for the Arts, Hivos (Netherlands), Dept. of Culture, HRD, Govt. of India, and UNESCO.

ACMA also functions as a resource centre for young and upcoming artistes from other parts of the world who are interested in Indian culture, aesthetics and movement idioms.

Attakkalari conducts regular classes in contemporary dance, martial arts, and other movement styles at its studios. It offers tailor-made movement programmes such as:

Art in Education programmes.
Programmes for senior citizens, children, housewives, and stress relief programmes for corporates.
Career-orientation modules for aspiring artistes.
Multimedia productions using digital art and projections and interactive technologies as well as research projects. The Centre collaborates with video and digital artistes, composers, musicians and choreographers from around the world and conducts Festivals and other events.