My work integrates the study of dance within the growing discipline of politics. It attempts to investigate the socio-historical reconstructions and ever-changing notions of folk, classical, popular, bawdy and morality in Indian dance forms. Placing emphasis on Lavani, a popular ‘folk dance’ majorly performed by women and cross-dressing men belonging to the Dalit castes of Maharashtra. I analyse and bring to light the changing forms of this folk dance, its exciting transition from the colonial to the post-colonial period and the hardships Lavani performers continue to face, to cater to the demands of the audience in the contemporary, neo-liberal times. In this paper, I discuss the problematic yet crucial representations of Dalit Lavani performers and their performances in Reality shows, Bollywood, and Marathi Film Industry as opposed to the State led Lavani Mahotsavs and live Lavani performances that take place in the Dholki-Phad Tamasha, Sangeet Baree and Banner show genres of Lavani’s. My extensive ethnographical engagement with the Lavani performers over five years has given me profound insights into the cultural economy generated by the performances of Lavani. This research has grown from my subject positions as a PhD Scholar of Political Science, danseuse, and curator of the Lavani Live festival at Godrej India Culture Lab where I worked as a scholar in residence. My fieldwork and scholarship within the multidisciplinary domains of performing arts, cultural politics and its global economy have given me critical insights into the politics of Lavani performances.
