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.

- 248 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Halftitle Page
- Title Page
- Contents
- List of plates
- List of figures
- Acknowledgements
- Beginnings: Multiple histories and modernities
- 1 Gopal’s passport
- 2 Siva Nataraja
- 3 The war years and beyond
- 4 Programmes of the post-war years
- 5 Film and static images
- Endings: The concluding years
- Appendix 1
- Appendix 2
- Bibliography
- Index
- Imprint
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Yes, you can access Ram Gopal by Ann R. David in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Media & Performing Arts & Dance. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.