Bharatanatyam and the Western World

As the South Asian diaspora in the United States continues to grow at an exponential rate, the rate of cultural diffusion and interaction with the already present, American culture increases as well. In an attempt to preserve and promote culture, many parents of South Asian heritage place their children in activities, including classical dance and music, which easily kinder a liking, as well as an awareness, of the culture. While prior, the epicenter of the world of Bharatanatyam may have been in the ever cultural city of Chennai, it has now broadened its reach all over the world, mixing with other cultures and forming a beautiful amalgamation of east-meets-west dance and movement, even inspiring dances in popular culture. The form isn’t stagnant, but rather, is able to adapt to any and every culture it is introduced to. The adaptable form has proved resilient both in its traditional and contemporary forms, and has proved a great asset to the “west.”