The introduction and evolution of Bharatanatyam in Singapore : exploring ethnic diversity, mythological stories and modern themes through dance

• Main Author: Elangovan, Mathangi
• Other Authors: Tapsi Mathur
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Humanities::History
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/147300
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper is centred upon the prevalence and growing popularity of Bharatanatyam in Singapore through unveiling its early days of practice and performances. The introduction of Bharatanatyam in Singapore was because of the arrival of several pioneer Bharatanatyam practitioners from India and Sri Lanka. These dance artistes were part of vibrant dance productions that involved collaboration with non-Indian artistes as well. The idea of unity in diversity was therefore present as Bharatanatyam helped people from different ethnic communities bond with one another while learning and performing the art form in the late 20th Century. Such combined effort also caused for exchange of ideas in the different ethnic dance styles. The students of pioneer dance artistes were inspired to use Bharatanatyam for a higher purpose of educating Singaporeans on social issues. They broke the unspoken boundaries of Bharatanatyam by infusing concepts that were not normally discussed in mainstream Bharatanatyam performances. The common Bharatanatyam viewer knows that productions were largely based upon Hindu texts and mythological stories, but this practice began to change in the 21st Century with greater awareness amongst youth choreographers on the importance of using art to send a message instead of simply to entertain. Therefore, with the help of oral interviews and scholars’ journal articles, this paper seeks to explore the evolution of Bharatanatyam practice and performances in Singapore.