Ram Gopal
Interweaving Histories of Indian Dance
1st Edition
Published on 8. February 2024
248 pages
978-1-350-16621-9 (ISBN)
Description
Both a biography and a history, this book explores the significant role that Indian dancer Ram Gopal (1912-2003) played in bringing Indian dance to international audiences from the 1930s to the late 1960s. Almost single-handedly, Gopal changed the perception of Indian dance abroad, introducing a global audience to specificity of movement, classically trained dancers, live musicians and exquisitely detailed costumes, modelled from Indian iconography.
In this much-needed study of an often-neglected figure, the author unearths a fascinating narrative about Ram Gopal, the individual and the dancer, drawing on interviews with his remaining family, costume-makers, friends, dance partners, fellow dancers and audience members.
More broadly, we come to understand the culture of Indian dance at the time, including the politics of the nomenclature and of the nationalist and orientalist discourses, the rapid changes created by the demise of colonialism and the influence of Western styles of dance, such as ballet and modern, in its development.
In this much-needed study of an often-neglected figure, the author unearths a fascinating narrative about Ram Gopal, the individual and the dancer, drawing on interviews with his remaining family, costume-makers, friends, dance partners, fellow dancers and audience members.
More broadly, we come to understand the culture of Indian dance at the time, including the politics of the nomenclature and of the nationalist and orientalist discourses, the rapid changes created by the demise of colonialism and the influence of Western styles of dance, such as ballet and modern, in its development.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
15 bw illus
ISBN-13
978-1-350-16621-9 (9781350166219)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
02/2024
Methuen Drama
€32.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Ann R David is Emeritus Professor of Dance and Cultural Engagement at the University of Roehampton, UK. She specialises in dance anthropology and South Asian classical and popular dance and her dance training includes ballet, contemporary, folk dance, as well as Bharatanatyam and Kathak.
Content
Beginnings: Multiple Histories and Modernities
Chapter One: Gopal's Passport
Chapter Two: Siva Nataraja
Chapter Three: The War Years and Beyond
Chapter 4: Programmes of the Post-War Years
Chapter Five: Film and Static Images
Endings: The Concluding Years
Bibliography
Filmography
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Index
Chapter One: Gopal's Passport
Chapter Two: Siva Nataraja
Chapter Three: The War Years and Beyond
Chapter 4: Programmes of the Post-War Years
Chapter Five: Film and Static Images
Endings: The Concluding Years
Bibliography
Filmography
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Index
