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D se Dance, D se Dissent

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Ghungroon ki jhankar mein hai takat, jo kalam se kam nahin
Nritya bhi hai ek kala pradarshan, jo layega badlav, kranti se kam nahin!                                                                                                                                                 -Nandini Suri

Poster created by Nandini Suri

It is difficult for a person to imagine the soft and lyrical movements of dance being used a form of protest. But, the fact is that every form of art is political and has the potential of bringing about a change. Dance is a beautiful language that has the power to express the deepest of emotions. By blurring the lines between everyday life, art and politics, choreography can serve as a beautiful medium of protest.
From Isadora Duncan, an American-born dancer and expressionist choreographer to the Indian dancer and activist Mallika Sarabhai, dance has been used by many, as an effective tool for social change. Chandralekha Prabhudas Patel was another Indian dancer, who used her dance as a form of social resistance. African slaves used dance to resist colonialism and as a means to resist cultural obliteration. Jamaican dance form flexing has evolved into a protest movement, to fight against social injustice, police brutality and racism. Lyrically satirical and humorous, hip hop dance has also been used to sound off against social evils.


Dance, which is rooted in the realm of aesthetics, also has the ability to venture into the area of politics.  An Instagram page called ‘cartoon_natyam’ is using the platform to throw light on the political and social issues plaguing the country and how dance can be used as a medium to bring about a change.

As the country quaked with protests over the last few months, against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), many used dance as an instrument for social activism. India woke up to its young people, singing and dancing defiantly in order to galvanize mass support and stir the consciousness of others who chose to be silent spectators.
Dancers have articulated their stories of inequality, poverty and violence through their performances. Dance addresses specific political events and social codes and can contribute as an active agent of social change. Mallika Sarabhai’s work has been important in raising awareness regarding women’s rights. In her works, such as Sita’s Daughters and Swa Kranti, Sarabhai has used dance as a powerful yet sophisticated language to engage directly with social issues.

 Dance has the ability to present truth with nuance. From the LGBTI+ rights to the issue of plastic waste, from racial injustices and struggles to women’s issues, dance has always been an important force of change to reckon with.

 Dance movements express emotions. Dance movements express solidarity. Dance movements express change. Dance movements articulate dissent.

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