Dancer Uday Shankar: Integrating East and West

Indian dancer, choreographer and teacher Uday Shankar (1900--1977) was heavily influenced by western dance and integrated many western dance ideas into all aspects of his work in dance. He did this during the 1920s through the late 1930s in a period when Indian dance was heavily traditional and isolated from western ideas. Analysis consists of Shankar's performance background, choreography and teaching methods. Uday Shankar is a very important dance figure in India and also was the first Indian dancer to tour Europe and America. His company continues to exist in India after his death, and is directed by his wife Amala Shankar. The teaching methods he developed are also continued today under his wife's direction and by his daughter and daughter-in-law.