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7/16 Dissertation Defense For Koyel Khan: Between Nationalism And Neoliberal Globalization: The Practices Of Indian Classical Dance

Dissertation Defense For Koyel Khan: Between Nationalism And Neoliberal Globalization: The Practices Of Indian Classical Dance

Thursday, July 16th, 2020

03:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Other
Zoom

Between Nationalism and Neoliberal Globalization: the practices of Indian Classical Dance

Koyel Khan
Department of Sociology
University of Connecticut
Ph.D. Dissertation Defense
Thursday, July 16th, 2020 at 3 PM
Zoom Link
Committee Members:
Dr. Manisha Desai (Chair)
Dr. Bandana Purkayastha
Dr. Mary Bernstein
ABSTRACT
Indian classical dance is a profession and a cultural practice, that is premised on the notion of historic indigeneity. In this research, I study the lived experiences of the practitioners of an ancient traditional cultural form. I draw on an extensive qualitative data set that includes over three-hundred hours of data (observations and interviews), to understand the practice of Indian classical dance in the neoliberal era. To understand the practice, I look at the factors that lead to occupational selection, the reasons why the practitioners remain in the practice, and, how the practitioners respond to changes to the practice under neoliberal globalization. In the process, I look at the factors, beyond SES, that lead to occupational success in a profession not particularly based on academic training; and show the importance of family support (particularly the role of mothers), of ‘calling’, and of mentorship, when people actively choose to pursue an occupation that is considered to be risky. I contend that the major theoretical perspectives of cultural globalization—namely-- assimilation; polarization; and hybridization do not adequately capture the consequences that neoliberal globalization has on the practice of Indian classical dance. I argue that neoliberal globalization has impacted the cultural practice of dance in four ways-- i) orientation towards fast-paced cultural acquisition; (ii) efforts to increase cultural comprehension; (iii) support for cultural conservation; and (iv) infallible belief in cultural durability; but that these responses cannot be understood without referring to preexisting social inequalities. I argue that though neoliberalism clearly shapes cultural practices, they continue to be shaped also by pre-existing historical nationalist hybrid formations of power inequalities.
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Contact Information: Manisha Desai - email for Zoom link
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