Soniya Gaikwad, 25, a popular dancer from Kolhapur and her peers have been accused of "obscene gestures" and FIRs slapped against them during a performance on September 13. Following this, they have lost their future performance contracts and all means of livelihood, especially during the ongoing festive season. These charges against women dancers in Kolhapur are not merely legal issues but a reflection of ongoing societal struggles over body autonomy and artistic expression. Despite a Bombay High Court ruling in October 2023 clarifying that provocative dance is not legally obscene, Soniya has been named the primary accused in an FIR filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing wrongful restraint and obscene acts in public. The legal definition of ‘obscenity’ remains vague, rooted in colonial-era laws, and disproportionately affects performers from marginalized communities, particularly Dalits. The term "ashlil" has been weaponized against artists, impeding their economic and cultural success. Historian Shailaja Paik, in her book The Vulgarity of Caste, explores how this term stifles the ability of Tamasha performers to gain respectability, illustrating the intersection of caste, gender, and artistic expression. With the recent ban on 21 dancers from performing, these issues have become even more pressing. Many, like Divya, report significant financial losses and reputational damage, highlighting the systemic inequalities in the industry. The crackdown on dancers is not a new phenomenon. Last year, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra criticized "vulgar" performances, perpetuating the stigma surrounding traditional dances like Lavani. Lavani, an integral part of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage, has evolved to include influences from Bollywood, yet remains heavily policed when performed by women from lower-income communities. Writer Bhushan Korgaonkar points out the hypocrisy in this policing, noting that dance moves acceptable in films become targets of scrutiny in community settings. This dynamic highlights a broader societal issue—while women's performances are celebrated in elite spaces, they face censure when expressed by marginalized groups. As highlighted by Nitya Vasudevan in her analysis of public women and their bodies, this case exemplifies a broader struggle over mobility, economic independence, and agency for women in public life. It challenges us to reconsider how we define obscenity and who gets to perform in public spaces. For an in-depth look at the challenges faced by Kolhapur's dancers amid these legal threats, read the full report by Shreya Raman. https://lnkd.in/eZTHpHQK
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Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia From the article: "Drag is a performance of exaggerated femininity, masculinity, or other forms of gender expression, usually for entertainment purposes. Drag usually involves cross-dressing. A drag queen is someone (usually male) who performs femininely and a drag king is someone (usually female) who performs masculinely. Performances often involve comedy, social satire, and at times political commentary.[1][2][3] The term may be used as a noun as in the expression in drag or as an adjective as in drag show.[4]" #Pride #Drag #DragQueen
Drag (entertainment) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
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Happy to be heard and quoted in this piece by Neerja Deodhar, highlighting challenges in India's performing arts domain. The performing arts and theatre ecosystem in India has often seemed like a magical place to me – one that's brimming with creativity, emotion and meaning. I'm always in awe of such a deeply inspiring domain, where vulnerability isn't just essential, but celebrated. Needless to say though, ecosystems like these are unfortunately, rife with challenges – unsafe spaces, unfair wages, unclear terms to name a few. Building awareness and dialogue around these issues is the first step towards remedying these – this is why projects such as the Arts Safety in India research project by Delhi based Kaivalya Plays is so important! We need to better monitor the wrongs, if we're going to want to fix them.
Safety Act
mid-day.com
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Putul Nach, also known as puppet dance, is a traditional form of performing arts in Bangladesh that combines puppetry with storytelling, music, and dance. This cultural art form has been cherished and passed down through generations, enriching the cultural heritage of the country. In Putul Nach, intricately designed puppets are manipulated by skilled puppeteers who bring them to life through graceful movements and expressions. These puppets are often crafted from materials like wood, cloth, and sometimes clay, each meticulously designed to depict characters from folklore, mythology, or everyday life. The performance typically takes place on a stage where the puppeteers stand behind a screen, hidden from the audience's view, while manipulating the puppets with strings or rods. The puppeteers skillfully synchronize the movements of the puppets with the accompanying music, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that captivates the audience. The stories depicted in Putul Nach often revolve around themes of love, morality, heroism, and the triumph of good over evil. Through vibrant and expressive movements, the puppets convey the emotions and actions of the characters, drawing the audience into the narrative unfolding before them. Putul Nach is not only a form of entertainment but also a means of preserving cultural heritage and transmitting traditional values and beliefs from one generation to the next. It serves as a platform for storytelling and artistic expression, fostering a sense of community and belonging among those who participate in and witness its performances. Despite the modernization of entertainment forms, Putul Nach continues to hold significance in Bangladeshi culture, with efforts made to preserve and promote this traditional art form for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. Do you Like this dance? please comment below. #puppet #dolldance #traditionaldance #tradition
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Why Choosing the Right Choir Uniform Is Important Discussion on body positivity and inclusivity in performing arts costumes. Robes create uniformity without exclusivity. If not wearing robes, we must find a way that makes all members feel confident in the way they look. #bodypositivity #inclusivity #costumedesign #selflove #performingarts #choralclarity #choralclaritymentorship
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As a financial representative, I prioritize the financial well-being of dance artists by providing them with comprehensive financial planning services. In the dance industry, financial transparency plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy future. Check out this article to understand why. #FinancialTransparency #DanceIndustry #FinancialPlanning #HealthyFuture
"Information is the most powerful currency in the modern age. Yet, with the dance world struggling to recover cultural relevance and fiscal health post-pandemic shutdowns, most dance workers, critics, and donors have little concrete knowledge of overall economic conditions. "Two key initiatives are already in progress to combat this: one by Dance/NYC, collecting data from dance industry workers, and the other by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, to establish an information bank on salary ranges, compensation, and the like. While both are excellent, it’s crucial that more is done. "There is one immediate step with broad impact: real transparency throughout the dance economy. How can dance organizations do that? By making their annual tax returns available." —Elizabeth Yntema, founder and president of Dance Data Project® Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eNye-uVH
Why Financial Transparency is Vital for the Dance Field's Health
dancemagazine.com
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"Information is the most powerful currency in the modern age. Yet, with the dance world struggling to recover cultural relevance and fiscal health post-pandemic shutdowns, most dance workers, critics, and donors have little concrete knowledge of overall economic conditions. "Two key initiatives are already in progress to combat this: one by Dance/NYC, collecting data from dance industry workers, and the other by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, to establish an information bank on salary ranges, compensation, and the like. While both are excellent, it’s crucial that more is done. "There is one immediate step with broad impact: real transparency throughout the dance economy. How can dance organizations do that? By making their annual tax returns available." —Elizabeth Yntema, founder and president of Dance Data Project® Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eNye-uVH
Why Financial Transparency is Vital for the Dance Field's Health
dancemagazine.com
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Check out my latest blog post inspired by my time taking the 200 YTT in 2017. A practice I have slowly integrated into my life. I could definitely use more practice... Take a moment to learn what a dosha is and what that means for you. Which one are you? Vata, Pitta, or Kapha? https://wix.to/FT6Stfk #newblogpost #dosha #wellnesspractice #yogi #artist
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This year, Ashiyana facilitated the children of two institutions to compete at the Annual ‘Our Children’s Dance Competition’ and perform at Mumbai’s largest auditorium (Shanmukhanand Auditorium). For most of them, it was their first time performing on stage, and that too in front of such a huge audience. This competition has become a way for us to work deeply with the boys, transforming their beliefs about themselves and society. We do this through a participatory method where children volunteer to participate and then take charge of the entire dance performance - From making props to handling costumes or bringing their friends for practice and motivating them. Ashiyana’s team and the children once again created magic on 1st May 2024. The way it has impacted the boys is unimaginable, but here are five points that stood out in each of them: - Created a sense of ownership among the boys as they decided and organized themselves for the competition. - Built a culture of brotherhood as they navigated through various conflicts. - Built resilience, determination, and a sense of achievement as they practised in the heat, through Ramzan, to win the competition. - Made them realize they are not different from other children and youth and can become role models for others. - Shifted their perspective and story about themselves and others. Kudos to the Ashiyana team, choreographer Sandesh Gaikwad, and Sakshi Sharma, staff at both homes, guards, and the ‘Our Children’ team who provides us with this platform, and to the children - who teach us more every single time. Here's a glimpse of the performance: #OurChildrensDanceCompetition #shanmukhanandahall Mumbai #juvenilejustice #childrenininstitutions #danceforchange #TransformingLives #BuildingResilience #FosteringBrotherhood #RoleModels #PerspectiveShift #DreamsBecomeReality #YouthPotential Kshipra Marathe, Kadambari Dube, Sachi Maniar, Dimple Golechha
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Discover the essence of elegance with Narjis Halak in our latest perfume campaign. Message : السلام الداخلي #Perfume #Artistry #NarjisHalak"
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Gist of TDS on Professional Services by Non-Resident Clown Artists in India 1. Issue: Determining TDS rate for payments to French clowns performing in India. 2. General Definition: Clowns are entertainers known for comedic acts, often seen in circuses and children's events. 3. Types of Performances: - **Live Performances: Events like parties and festivals. - **Face Painting: Transforming children's appearances. - **Balloon Twisting: Making balloon figures. - **Interactive Games: Engaging children in activities. - **Storytelling: Combining humor with narratives. - **Character Appearances: Themed performances. - **Workshops: Teaching performance skills. - **Corporate Events: Entertainment at business functions. 4. Income Tax Provisions: TDS on fees for non-resident artists typically falls under Section 194E of the Income Tax Act. 5. Section 194E: Mandates 20% TDS on payments to non-resident entertainers at the time of credit/payment. 6. Section 115BBA: Specifies tax obligations for non-resident sportsmen and entertainers, also imposing a 20% tax rate. 7. Relevant Case Laws: - G. E. India Technology Centre Pvt. Ltd. vs. CIT (2010): Clarified payment classifications for non-residents. - DIT vs. Karan Johar (2017): Addressed TDS implications for foreign artists. - K. R. P. D. vs. ACIT (2019): Confirmed TDS obligation under Section 194E. 8. Conclusion: TDS is applicable at 20% on professional fees for clown performances in India, with an additional 4% health and education cess and possible surcharges, barring any DTAA provisions due to lack of TRC. 9. Disclaimer: This analysis is based on current laws and may change with future amendments.
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