As the nineteenth century morphed into the twentieth century, many young women were embracing a much more physical lifestyle. They were inspired by the growing alternatives to the psychological and physical restrictions of Victorian society, which had sought to restrict women to the home or farm. Buoyed by social movements …
The generic Sanskrit term devadasi (“servant of god”) refers to a multiplicity of female communities, known by regional names such as devaradiyal (“slave of god”), bhogam (“embodiment of enjoyment”), kalavati (“receptacle of the arts”), and gudisani (“temple lady”). The women of these communities were the hereditary proprietors of a cultural practice …
Martha Graham’s Frontier, an early solo piece by the great choreographer, focuses on the frontier woman and the challenges of Westward Expansion. Graham’s innovative work utilized a minimalist set by Isamu Noguchi and music by Louis Horst to highlight the emotions and symbolism within the work. Classroom Activities Discuss: Ask the group what the …
