"Traditional" Indian Dance and the Making of Interpretive Communities

Janet O'Shea explores the differences between the main styles of South India's bharata natyam dance form and explains the rivalries within this artistic world. Her article compares the kalakshetra style associated with Rukmini Devi and the Tanjore court style of Balasaraswati, examining the differences and similarities between these legendary artists as well. Of special interest is the discussion of how Rukmini Devi and Balasaraswati viewed the place of eroticism (sringara) in bharata natyam. O'Shea proceeds to explain the contributions of the devadasis to the development of bharata natyam,moves along to a treatment of the problems of authority and authenticity, and covers other important topics, including the search for a historical origin for bharata natyam. Janet O'Shea has been a performer of bharata natyam for the past eight years. She has studied the dance form with Smti. Nandini Ramani of Madras, most recently under the auspices of the American Institute of Indian Studies. She holds an M.A. in Tamilfrom the University of California, Berkeley, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in dance history and theory from the University of California, Riverside.