Breaking Boundaries: Transgender and Queer Performers Reshaping India’s Classical Dance Traditions

For centuries, India’s classical dance traditions have celebrated fluidity, mythology, and storytelling. Yet, despite their historical embrace of gender nonconformity, modern classical dance spaces remain rigidly policed, pushing transgender and queer performers to the margins. Even legends like Pandit Birju Maharaj, a towering figure in Kathak, were not spared from such prejudice—often taunted with queer slurs simply because he embraced the grace and expressiveness intrinsic to the art form. If someone of his stature faced such discrimination, what hope remains for young LGBTQIA+ dancers seeking acceptance today?

Queer and transgender dancers across India are now reclaiming classical dance traditions, breathing new life into an art form that has historically embraced fluidity but now struggles with exclusionary norms. Their presence is not just an act of defiance; it is an assertion of belonging.

Dancing Beyond Gender Binaries

Indian classical dance forms have always depicted gender fluidity, from the androgynous Ardhanarishwara in Bharatanatyam to male Kathakali dancers embodying female roles. Despite this, the modern performance space remains rigidly binary, leaving little room for non-conforming identities.

Ravina*, a 26-year-old transgender Odissi dancer, recalls facing resistance from both her family and the dance community. “I was told my body did not fit the aesthetics of Odissi,” she shares. “But who decides what an artist should look like? Dance is about emotion, about storytelling. It is not about fitting into someone else’s idea of beauty.”

Similarly, Bharatnatyam dancer Rajesh Menon*, a non-binary artist and teacher from Tamil Nadu, speaks of their struggle to be accepted in mainstream classical dance circles. “I had gurus who discouraged me from expressing femininity in my movements. But Bharatanatyam is divine—it’s Shiva as Ardhanarishwara, the perfect blend of masculine and feminine. Why should I erase a part of myself to conform?”

Trailblazers in the Classical Dance Scene

Despite the discrimination, many transgender and queer performers are carving a space for themselves. One such artist is Narthaki Nataraj, a celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer and Padma Shri awardee. As a transgender woman, Narthaki has spent decades fighting societal prejudice to establish herself as a leading exponent of her craft. She is now a mentor for young trans dancers, ensuring that they have the opportunities she struggled to find.

Similarly, Manjamma Jogathi, a transgender folk artist who practices Jogathi Nritya, has broken barriers in folk dance traditions, receiving national recognition for her work. These artists are not just performers; they are revolutionaries reclaiming space in an art form that has historically included them yet now struggles to accept them.

Queerness in Tradition: Reclaiming Fluidity in Dance

The pushback against rigid gender norms is not just a fight for acceptance; it is also a battle for authenticity. Many queer and transgender dancers argue that their presence in classical dance is not an act of rebellion—it is a return to tradition.

“The Natya Shastra itself acknowledges the existence of different gender identities,” explains Devika Rao, a dance scholar and performer of Yakshagana, whose dance theatre heralds inclusivity as a pillar. “There are references to ‘Tritiya Prakriti’—a third gender that has always existed in Indian society. Yet, modern dance institutions have erased this history in favor of colonial and patriarchal norms.”

This erasure has also had material consequences. Queer dancers are often denied opportunities, scholarships, and performance spaces. Many trans dancers, in particular, struggle to find mentors willing to teach them, leading them to create their own spaces instead.

The Struggle for Visibility and Acceptance

Devendra S Mangalmukhi, a transgender Kathak dancer, highlights the systemic exclusion trans artists face despite years of dedication. “I've been learning Kathak for 18 years, yet I have only two students because I am a trans woman. Society refuses to see us as teachers, as gurus. But art does not discriminate. It is people who do.” Her experience underscores the deeply ingrained biases that prevent queer and trans artists from securing stable careers in classical dance.

For many LGBTQIA+ performers, social media has become both a battleground and a lifeline. While platforms like Instagram and YouTube allow dancers to showcase their work beyond traditional gatekeepers, they also expose them to intense trolling and harassment.

Ranodip Biswas, a Kathak dancer from Kolkata, has experienced this firsthand. “Every time I post a performance, the comments are filled with slurs,” he says. “People tell me I should not be dancing, that I am bringing shame to the art form. But what they don’t understand is that dance saved my life. It gave me a voice when society wanted to silence me.”

Despite the online abuse, Biswas remains determined. “For every hate comment, there’s a message from a young queer person saying they feel seen because of me. That’s why I keep dancing.”

Institutions and Change: A Slow but Necessary Shift

There are signs of progress. In a historic move, Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University recently lifted gender restrictions for admission to its Mohiniyattam course, paving the way for male and gender-diverse students to formally train in the art form. While this is a significant step, institutional change remains slow.

Varsha*, a queer Kuchipudi dancer, emphasises the need for systemic reform. “It’s not enough for one or two institutions to change. We need dance academies across India to create inclusive policies. We need more transgender and queer teachers in these institutions. Otherwise, change will always be superficial.”

Artists like Varsha* are also advocating for a broader cultural shift—one that does not just tolerate queer and transgender dancers but celebrates them. “Our dance forms have always been about storytelling,” Varsha says. “And our stories, our identities, are worth telling.”

A Future Where Dance Belongs to All

The fight to reclaim classical dance as an inclusive space is far from over, but the resilience of transgender and queer performers continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. As more artists challenge outdated norms and create new spaces for expression, India’s classical dance traditions may finally return to their true essence—one of fluidity, transformation, and boundless grace.

As Rajesh Menon* puts it, “Dance is not about gender. It is about the soul. And no soul should ever be denied the right to move freely.”

*Some names have been changed to protect privacy.