BookMark: Reading Recommendations from Neo Narthaki

Celluloid Classicism: Tamil Cinema and the Making of Bharatanatyam

This groundbreaking book explores the deep, often overlooked connection between Tamil cinema and Bharatanatyam. It traces how the two art forms shaped each other, especially from the 1920s to the 1950s, revealing how cinema influenced the evolution of "classical" dance in modern India. Through a rich blend of film history, dance scholarship, and over 130 archival images, Celluloid Classicism invites dancers to rethink the story of Bharatanatyam through a fresh, interdisciplinary lens.

Purchase the Book Here: https://www.weslpress.org/9780819578877/celluloid-classicism/

Astad Deboo: Dance and the Spirit of Innovation

Astad Deboo (1947–2020), a pioneer of modern dance in India, was globally celebrated for his meditative minimalism, signature whirls, and bold choreography that fused contemporary and traditional forms. In this first full-length biography, Ketu H. Katrak traces Deboo’s journey from his early years in Jamshedpur and Bombay to his global explorations that shaped his distinctive style. Divided into four parts, the book explores his formative influences, solo and socially conscious choreographies, collaborations with deaf artists and Manipuri drummers, and his cross-cultural artistic partnerships, offering a rich portrait of a visionary who redefined Indian modern dance.

Purchase the Book Here: https://www.amazon.in/Astad-Deboo-Contemporary-Indian-Dance/dp/180309429X