EXPLORING MALE PARTICIPATION IN BHARATANATYAM: MOTIVATIONS, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

With an emphasis on the opportunities obstacles and driving forces of the 21st century this study investigates the increasing involvement of male dancers in Bharatanatyam. A structured questionnaire consisting of Likert scale questions was used to gather data from 100 male Bharatanatyam dancers using a quantitative survey method. With 70% of respondents expressing a strong personal connection to the dance form the findings show that cultural significance and personal interest serve as the main drivers of male participation. But 62 percent of participants said they had experienced social stigma underscoring the ongoing problems with gender norms in the dance community. Notwithstanding these challenges 66 percent of participants expressed optimism about the prospects for male dancers bolstered by a network of mentors and peers.