Urmimala Sarkar Munsi: Dance, embodied preservation, and unlearning in India - A conversation with Hanna B. Hölling, Jules Pelta Feldman and Emilie Magnin

This chapter features a conversation with Urmimala Sarkar Munsi, a scholar of social anthropology, dance studies, and choreography who explores the intersection of gender, sexuality, and dance. As a dancer herself, Sarkar Munsi has performed extensively and is passionate about the preservation of dance traditions in India. The chapter delves into the complexities of preserving dance in its cultural context while also addressing issues of authenticity and aesthetic purity. In a conservation with Hanna B. Hölling, Jules Pelta Feldman, and Emilie Magnin, Sarkar Munsi discusses the challenges of documenting performance, particularly when it involves marginalized communities, and how preservation efforts can lead to the erasure of certain histories. The conversation also touches on the significance of embodied preservation, where the continuity of dance is passed down through generations in human bodies. It highlights the importance of ethical documentation, respecting the cultural context, and avoiding imposing external perspectives on traditional practices. Sarkar Munsi emphasizes the need for unlearning traditional norms and perspectives, encouraging a critical assessment of cultural constructs and gendering. The chapter underscores the importance of understanding and preserving dance history while respecting the evolution of the art form over time.