HOME / Ephemera speaks to Dance

Ephemera speaks to Dance


  • Ephemera Speaks to Dance

    Welcome to Ephemera Speaks to Dance: A Journey Through the Collection of Sunil Kothari. This exhibit explores the representation of Indian dance, both in India and in the diaspora, using ephemera as the main source of material. The type of ephemera in the collection is vast, including brochures, performance tickets, news clippings, government documents, and invitations. While each piece of ephemera alone may appear insubstantial, cumulatively they tell a story of the impact of dance in India and abroad. The story which will be told today is coming from my own position as a recent college graduate with a passion for International Relations and Ethnomusicology, as well as being a dancer and pianist. My love for the arts and politics has led me to question how dance can disseminate and affirm a country’s culture and traditions both within the country and externally. This interest drew me towards seven files marked “Diaspora” and three files labeled “Indian Artists Performing Abroad in Festivals,” which formed the core of my project. In this exhibition, diaspora is used to describe Indian communities outside of India. Thus, the countries largely represented in the files are from diasporic communities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and a variety of Southeast Asia countries. The materials in these files, as is the case with any collection, reflect the collector, and thus are not the basis for generalization, but need to be seen within the lens of the personality – Sunil Kothari in this case. Press the video in the top right corner to learn more about the archive.

  • Imagine

    Imagine you receive this in the mail. As the recipient, what emotions arise? What do the event organizers want you to know so that you are eager to make an appearance? Press the video in the top right corner to learn what we can infer from the invitation packet about the performance.

  • Classical Dance

    India has a plethora of dance traditions, many originating in courts and temples. Eight styles are considered “classical” today, each deriving from a specific region in India, showcasing the historical and cultural practices from the region: Kathak (Uttar Pradesh), Kathakali (Kerala), Manipuri (Manipur), Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Odissi (Odisha), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), and Sattriya (Assam). Through the years, certain styles have become part of the mainstream culture, now being taught and performed throughout India. Press the "more" tab to see additional pieces of ephemera.

    More

  • Crossover and Collaboration

    Indian classical dance has spread throughout the world, with help from non-Indian artists. These individuals have brought attention to the styles, assisting in the growth and preservation of these forms both in India and in the diaspora. Press the "more" tab to learn about two dancers who have made an impact on Indian dance styles.

    More

  • Dancing beyond the classical - new expressions of dance in India

    It is clear that classical dance is established and thriving, both in India and in the diaspora; less known however, is the presence of modern dance. Uday Shankar is considered the pioneer of modern dance in India in the 1930s, which continued to have an impact in India and abroad. Modern and contemporary dance has aided dancers in their desire to not only find new repertoire, but born as expressions of a modern India. Press the "more" tab to see additional pieces of ephemera and learn about a pioneer in the Indian modern dance movement.

    More

  • Our Dance, Their Dance in the Diaspora

    Modern dance in India has slowly been building momentum, yet what does this look like in the diaspora? Modern and contemporary dance has a large presence in the United States and many geographically western countries. When examined through the lens of the Indian diaspora, the question arises of how Indian modern dancers have evolved their modes of expression in new locations? How have the forms pivoted in order to represent multiple identities? Press the "more" tab to see additional pieces of ephemera and learn about an Indian diasporic artist.

    More

  • It is more than just a piece of paper

    Thank you for visiting Ephemera Speaks to Dance. As you step away from your device, I urge you to notice ephemera around you. With the shift from paper to digital, information is disseminated in a fast paced, attention grabbing method, but what happens when we are mindful of a slower process of dissemination, through printed words? How does the ephemera around you speak to your interests and passions? Whether this be a to-do list, or a card you received, these tell a story about you, culture, time and space.