DANC 079A. Screening Bollywood Film

Recent shifts in the representation of the “erotic” in Bollywood dances have transformed the past representations of gender and sexuality in Bollywood cinema. The course will explore the shifts in sexuality and gender constructions from national to transnational symbols through the songs and dances (item numbers) in Bollywood cinema and its most visible media platform, T.V Reality Shows. We will explore this through viewing and analyzing select screen performances in three parts: First, we will examine the place of the erotic in reconstructing gender and sexuality from past notions of romantic love (associated with ghazal songs or classical and folk dances) to desires for commodity. Second, we will explore the aesthetic shifts from the traditional song and dance repertoire to trendy MTV-inspired moves. We will examine how transnational images of commodity production intersect with sexuality, desire, spirituality, and modernity in these screen dances. This course will explore the song and dance sequences through video-viewing and studio work (with a Bollywood choreographer) as well as reading a few key texts. The list of videos will be included in the final syllabus.
This is a half semester course begining the second half of the semester.
0.5 Credit.
Eligible for ASIA, GSST, ASAM, FMST
Spring 2024. Chakravorty.
Catalog chapter: Music and Dance: Dance
Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/dance-program

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