Beyond the Mudra: Dismantling the Classical in Indian Dance | Fort Kochi [Feb 7-8]

Why We Dance (and Who Tells Us How)

Think of a dancer. You likely see a figure of perfect symmetry, performing "classical" movements honed over centuries. But what if those movements—and the labels we give them—are actually walls? What if the distinction between "folk" and "classical" isn't just about style, but about power?

The Vision: A More Democratic Stage

Facilitated by Amith K, a scholar-dancer with a PhD from Sree Sankaracharya University, this two-day workshop is a deep dive into the "undemocratic" structures of Indian dance. It’s a space to question the rigid frameworks of rasa, bhava, anga, and upangam that have long defined the art form.

The workshop proposes a radical shift: dance can only be truly democratic if we dismantle the Brahminical ideologies and classicism that sustain it. Through a blend of movement, shared readings, and collective reflection, participants will explore how:

• Caste and Class dictate accessibility in the arts.
• Gender and Beauty Standards limit expressive freedom.
• Disability and Institutional Power shape current pedagogy.

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Meet Your Facilitator: Amith K

Amith K isn't just a theorist; he is a practitioner who challenges the status quo from within the art world.

• Scholarship: Currently pursuing post-doctoral research at the Kerala Council for Historical Research, focusing on Mohiniyattam history.
• Practice: Blends performance with rigorous academic study to challenge hierarchies.
• Focus: Intersections of caste, culture, and history in modern Kerala.

Did you know? Between the Princess Street and Petercellie Street in Fort Kochi there was a tripod-like appliance called "Mukali", for tying up offenders and whipping them.