London Adavu Summer School 2026

Join us this September for London Adavu Summer School 2026 - a unique weekend series of immersive workshops led by some of the UK's leading practitioners in Indian classical dance and movement traditions.

Why take part? Whether you're looking to deepen your practice, explore a new form, or learn from renowned artists, this summer school offers an enriching opportunity to engage with diverse performance traditions in an intensive, supportive environment. 

What is it? 6 beautiful workshops by 5 amazing artists. Each workshop is designed to provide participants with practical training, artistic insight, and a deeper understanding of the techniques, philosophies, and embodied practices that underpin these rich traditions.

Who is it for? We look forward to welcoming dancers, performers, movement practitioners, and anyone with a passion for Indian classical arts to this inspiring learning experience. There's something for everyone! 

Where is it? All workshops are at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, 120 Peckham Hill St, London SE15 5JT. 

When is it? September 12, 19 and 20 - you can attend all or as many sessions as you like! Scroll for the full schedule! 

IMPORTANT

1.You can buy passes for individual workshops, a whole day or the full Summer School. 

2. Please read all information below carefully, fill out the form and complete payment via the TicketTailor link provided below to confirm your place. 

3. Concession prices available for Students (full-time education) and freelance artistic practitioners. You may be required to show valid ID / answer an eligibility question. 

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMPER

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM : PAYAL RAMCHANDANI - KUCHIPUDI
"PRĀKRITAM: From Nature to Nātyam" - Explore with Payal how Kuchipudi as a form lends itself beautifully to depicting the blossoming of nature (flora and fauna) - through adavus, compositions, and the layered vocabulary of the form, embodied as metaphor, manifestation and muse. About the artist: https://www.payalramchandani.com/  Level: Intermediate - Advanced. Open to all dance styles. 

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM : SHYAM DATTANI - KATHAK
"AATTAM: The Sway between Movement and Expression" - An exploration of balance, control and improvisation through Kathak's fundamental thaat and jhoom techniques, expanding into Shyam's contemporary choreographic vocabulary and movement influences. About the artist: https://www.instagram.com/shyamdattanii/?hl=en  Level: Intermediate - Advanced. Open to all dance styles. 

SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER

FULL DAY : SEETA PATEL - BHARATANATYAM
"ABHYĀSAM: the Core of Practice" - A two-part intensive exploring Seeta's approach to preparing the body for adavu practice, building dynamic adavu sequences through different physical pathways and connections, and opening into her process for working with abhinaya. About the artist: https://seetapateldance.com/ 
Level: Intermediate - Advanced. Aimed at practitioners of Bharatanatyam.

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Preparing the body + adavu practice and sequencing . 

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
From physical structures into abhinaya and Seeta's process of expressive exploration. 

SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM : HRISHI KIZHIKKIYIL - KALARIPAYATTU
"DEHAM: the Body of the Dancer" - A journey into mindful movement inspired by the ancient wisdom of Kalaripayattu (martial artform from Kerala), exploring strength, balance, coordination and spatial awareness as ways of turning into the body as an expressive, controlled instrument for dance. About the artist: https://cvnkalariuk.com/ 
Open to all levels & art/movement disciplines.

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM : KANNAN PARAMESWARAN - KATHAKALI 
"NATAKAM: the Moving Actor" - An exploration of Kathakali's extraordinary expressive world, where gesture, gaze, facial expression and the whole body become a finite, connected tool for storytelling - with an introduction to the codified hand-gesture language of Kathakali, offering participants insights into gestural traditions shared across performance forms in India and Asia. About the artist: https://kannanparameswaran.com/  
Open to all levels & art/movement disciplines.

DISCOUNTS

Book early and save!
Early Bird prices are available until 20 August 2026 11:59 PM. 
Students (in full-time education) and freelance performing artists (professional artists not in full-time employment) are eligible for a 15% concession. USE CODE SUMMERCODE15. *You may be required to show valid ID / answer an eligibility question. 

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to reserve your place as soon as possible to take advantage of discounted pricing.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel >72 hours in advance of a workshop, you will get a full refund (this will drop to 50% refund for 48 hours' notice. We will not be able to refund with less than 48 hours' notice - you can find a replacement for your space if you wish to). If for any reason a workshop(s) is cancelled by us, we will refund you the full fees. 

Have more questions or just wanna say hi to us? Get in touch us at: londonadavu@gmail.com. 

*London Adavu CIC is a community-led practice and learning space for performing artists in London, and we create and curate opportunities for professional artists that champion fair pay, process and treatment. Our activities are still 90% self-funded so all your support matters hugely. Thanks for your enthusiasm and commitment to London Adavu since 2019.