what were the controversies associated with dance in colonial India? did the scenario change the independence? give a detailed answer
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Answer:
Historically in Indian states, classical dances were those dances that were performed either in the temples according to religious rituals or in royal courts accompanied by classical music. The advent of British rule brought a decline to all forms of classical dance as they were considered overtly seductive and unwholesome. A bill was passed against temple dancing and cultural oppression took place. Let me talk in detail about a few of these dance forms and what happened to them.
In South India, Bharathanatyam (then called Dasi Attam) was performed in temples by Devadasis who were supported by their admirers and they in return received sexual benefits. The British could not understand this system and started disregarding Devadasis as prostitutes. They also found the moves very erotic and therefore banned the temple dance. As the dance form was dying, some people felt strongly about it and took measures to revive Bharathanatyam. Rukmini Devi is considered to be the most important revivalist of this dance. She brought in many modifications like removal of sringaar elements, introducing musical instruments and brining in innovative costumes. In 1936, she established Kalakshetra, a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of Bharathanatyam.
In North India, Kathak was performed by story-tellers in temples as well as in courts to please the Nawabs. Again the Victorians publicly announced that the art form was overtly vulgar (although it is said that they privately indulged in court room dancing) and termed it as `nautch`, which meant `dance performed by a girl to seduce a man to obedience`. It was a period of hardship for the art-form as it was looked down upon and considered a means of livelihood for women of very low status in society. It was revived by the Maharaj family consisting of Birju Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj etc and its popularity has been regained and spread.
Something similar happened in Eastern part of the country with Manipuri and Odissi dance forms. In 1891, Manipur was annexed by the British. Manipuri dance was considered old-fashioned and dancing itself was frowned upon and regarded as immoral. Only the temple of Govindji at Imphal was able to sustain this dance tradition. Manipuri was mostly revived by efforts of Rabindranath Tagore, especially when he included it in his programme of study at Shantiniketan. The Maharis (Odissi temple dancers) were associated with being prostitutes of the kings and they were disrespected and suppressed under British rule.