October 10, 2024 Sarah Morelli, Ph.D., Performing Gender in Kathak Dance

Kathak, a dance from northern regions of South Asia, involves storytelling. Artists enact myriad roles including males and females, demons, and divine beings. Such performances help dancers develop a more gender-inclusive sense of self generally considered healthy and beneficial. This presentation introduces the practice of kathak storytelling, drawing examples from performances of the major Hindu epic Ramayana. Sarah Morelli is a Professor of Ethnomusicology at DU's Lamont School of Music and kathak scholar, educator, and performer.

This lecture will be held in person in the Anderson Academic Commons room 290 at 1:30 pm