Keerthana Raju

Keerthana is a passionate classical dancer and performer from Kerala. Her journey in Bharatanatyam began when she was in second standard under the guidance of her guru, Smt. Sridevi Nataraj, who gave her a strong classical foundation. Completing her Arangettam in both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi was an important milestone that deepened her love and dedication to dance. She also trained in Keralanadanam and folk dance under Smt. Simple Rajmohan, which helped her take part in Kalolsavam and Keralolsavam competitions at the district level. To improve her physical strength and body control, she started learning Kalaripayattu under Sri Vineesh Padmanabhan. This training has helped her discover new ways of using her body with more strength, balance, and focus—skills she wished to blend into her dance as she explored contemporary styles.

Although she graduated in Biotechnology, her heart truly belongs to dance. Attakkalari’s Diploma in Movement Arts and Pedagogy feels like the perfect place for her to grow as an artist. She’s drawn to its focus on body conditioning, creative learning, and collaboration with international artists, which she believes will help her go beyond her classical boundaries while staying rooted in them.

At Attakkalari, she wishes to learn with openness, curiosity, and dedication. She loves teaching and hopes to share what she learnt with others, inspiring students to express themselves through dance. She also dreams of traveling the world with her art—performing, learning, and connecting with people through movement. Attakkalari’s spirit of innovation and cultural exchange truly matches her dream of becoming a thoughtful, expressive artist who blends tradition and modern creativity.

Khulem Tennyson

Khulem Tennyson, also known as Lulu Kayheich, is a versatile and experimental artist whose work explores the intersections of movement, nature, and introspection. Influenced by the avant-garde spirit of Dadaism, Lulu embraces spontaneity, freedom, and authenticity. As a dedicated “Be Still and Know” practitioner, he integrates stillness and reflection into his creative process, carrying this self-driven practice wherever he goes. His art becomes a dialogue between self, others, and the environment.

Lulu’s artistic journey led him deep into the woods, where solitude and silence became his muses. Immersed in nature, he created expressive dance films such as Vitality Voyage and Fall in Silence, blending movement, sound, and landscape. These works invite viewers into a meditative space where the human body and the natural world move in harmony. His experimental performances, including Lost in Forest and Hei Heiya Hae Hou, reflect his curiosity toward improvisation, presence, and transformation.

His dance journey began in 2014–2015, inspired by local breaker Bboy Chingthang Khuman, when he first discovered Breaking. The rooftop became his training ground. In 2019, Lulu joined ARDAC under Hemjit Senjam (Tombi), performing at the International Hip Hop Dance Championship in Goa, where the crew won first place in auditions. He also appeared at major events such as Manfete, Kill the Beat, Fenomenon, and Stage Break. His final collaboration with ARDAC was at PECDA 2024 (Edition VI), where he was nominated for the Best Dancer Award.

Transitioning into contemporary dance under Chaoba Thiyam (Siyom), Lulu performed at the Kochi Biennale 2022, collaborated with Anga Art Collective (Assam), and received the Special Jury Mention Award on World Suicide Prevention Day (2024). He was also selected for the Kiran Nader Museum of Art Program (Mizoram, 2025). At Attakkalari, he looks forward to continuing to explore the evolving space between breaking and contemporary dance—driven by curiosity, stillness, and connection