Mix the Body – A Dance-Tech Union

Choreographing cultures across the world, molding into one another’s ancient recipes has forged forth a form of modern art that is bringing millennials together. Be it dance, theatre or the universal language of Musique, distances are being crossed and seas sailed to connect with our brothers from different sects.

One such initiative I put forth is ‘Mix the Body’, an interactive, digital dance experience across India, created by Flying Object with world-renowned choreographer Wayne McGregor and Attakkalari Dance Company from India. The platform has been created as part of the British Council’s UK/India 2017 initiative - a yearlong celebration of cultural exchange between the two countries. This step towards culture binding although may seem very forthcoming, is a little more complex than that.

The Concept:

Mix the Body is a pre-choreographed dance sequence that is to be launched in the form of a smart-phone app providing the user with an ability to prepare their own sequence with the mere use of shapes or symbols. Each shape is a pre-determined twirl designed to give us a graphic idea for a dance choreography.

The Application to support the same was launched on 16th October for one and all to have a personalized feel of such a phenomenon.

A Notable Classification:

The high points of such an enterprise in my view are that they open a world full of interactive bases allowing a youthful exchange of ideas to free flow through barriers that were once restrictive. Though green behind the ears, Mix the Body is a noble step in the direction of Upscale Globalization. Under its belt, the British Council also launched a vast array of such bodies – Mix the Play (A self-choreographed play) and Mix the City.

The evening of the launch was one of splendor and grace where the British Council’s Director - Alan Gemmell spoke at length the agenda that inspired a world-wind of artistic marriages where the will to involve every corner of the country was put forward. The hero agenda was one to promote on the base line of what the Indian Prime Minister – Narendra Modi – so diligently has been trying to achieve for the past five years – A Culture Revolution.

However, a cliffhanger lays looming about the entire concept as to whether the initiative will find a way to integrate the Indian folk culture along with a western contemporary dance in order to epitomize the true meaning of forging a culture alliance?