Malayali Dance Troupe in UK Fuses Kerala Rhythms with Hip-Hop, Wins Global Recognition

An all-Malayali dance crew called Flow Factory has been drawing attention in the UK for its routines that merge South Indian dance traditions with hip-hop styles such as freestyle, locking and breaking. The group recently performed at DanceEast Youth Fest in Suffolk, presenting a set called 'Grooves of South' that included a mix of Malayalam and English tracks.

The six members, Ajith Shaji, Mathew George, Sumitha AS, Anwil Joju, Ramu R Krishna and Clifferd Dominic, did not know each other before moving to the UK for higher studies. They connected through a shared background in dance crews back in India, eventually coming together to form a troupe for a competition in 2024.

Their rise in the dance scene has been gradual. After placing second in their debut competition, they went on to perform at the London audition of the World of Dance contest and later took part in the Hip Hop International qualifier, placing sixth. They could not attend the World of Dance finals in the US due to visa and travel costs.

A turning point came when they won the regional round of a contest held by the British Dance Organisation in 2025, which qualified them for the Global Dance Organisation World Championships. They finished as runners-up at the finals, competing against teams from several countries.

Beyond competitions, Flow Factory now performs at charity events, youth festivals and gatherings organised by Malayali associations, while also conducting workshops for aspiring dancers. According to members, the goal has been to combine South Indian dance vocabulary with the core principles of hip-hop.

The group is currently working on a new piece inspired by the Ramayana, focusing on perspectives around the antagonist, set to a Tamil track. Their performances and choreography are shared on their Instagram page.