The Archives and Afterlives of Nautch Dancers in India

“The Archives and Afterlives of Nautch Dancers in India”; a story that will change the way you see colonial history, dance archives, and marginalized courtesan performance

The Archives and Afterlives of Nautch Dancers in India is more than a standard historical study; it is an invitation into the captivating and decolonial world of Prarthana Purkayastha, a distinguished theatre and performance scholar who challenges us to rethink how we relate to the criminalized ‘nautch’ dancers, subaltern artists, and courtesans vilified by both British colonialism and Indian nationalism. Navigating the complex intersection of colonial human exhibits, Bengali bazaar art, and frayed scrapbooks, Purkayastha also takes on the challenge of bringing rare archival materials to light while dismantling racist, casteist, and patriarchal regimes of thought.

? Why read The Archives and Afterlives of Nautch Dancers in India

Written by Prarthana Purkayastha, this work is more than a simple historical archive; it is a mirror reflecting the restless remains of resistance and performance. The book’s engaging, deeply illuminating narrative allows readers to see cultural history from different perspectives:

An insightful and discerning eye: A framework that shows how closely reading dancing bodies in visual culture and archival fragments can change our understanding of dance history and colonial power structures.

Accepting cultural realities: Confronting the silenced voices of outlawed dancers and sex workers while seeking to foster a genuine decolonization of performance ontologies and historical memory.

Curiosity and conversation: An exploration of the inner and outward drive to engage with marginalized histories, listen to the echoes of forgotten artists, and build common ground—not by viewing dance as mere disappearance, but through vibrant historical afterlives.

If you are looking for a compelling book that will engage your mind and leave its profound ideas with you long after you finish reading, The Archives and Afterlives of Nautch Dancers in India is not to be missed. It is an unforgettable experience not only for historians and performance scholars, but also for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of cultural studies, gender politics, and human history.

To inquire about the price or place an order for this book, please contact Ganj-e Hozour Publications.