March 11, 2025

Lakshmi Thiagarajan, author of the article, kneels gracefully on the ground in a covered walkway outdoors, lit by lanterns. One leg is forward, clad in yellow and red silk pants with a percussive bracelet on her ankle. Her clasped hands frame her face, adorned with a bindi and golden headband. She looks off to the side with a small smile.
Photo: Lakshmi Thiagarajan

Beyond Entertainment: Exploring Perspectives on the Purpose of Dance in South Indian History

Lakshmi Thiagarajan

Dance as an expression of political power, religious fervor, and of women’s sexualities.