Meet Charles Ma, a mixed-race Bharatnatyam dancer who has broken many stereotypes to perform and teach this classical dance form. In this episode , Almas and Charles talk about how Charles has embodied this rather feminine dance form in his own style while embracing both masculine and feminine energies within. This conversation also explores the history of Bharatnatyam and the role of gender politics in its commercialisation. They discuss everything, right from costume, make up, to mudras, to emotions and the key differences and similarities in each both for men and women dancers. In this rythmic dialogue, Charles shares his journey of finding his passion and living it beyond all cliches.

You can talk to Charles Ma on Instagram: @rudrabhairava
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlesma.dancecompany

You can follow Almas Virani on her twitter handle: @almasvirani11
(https://twitter.com/almasvirani11)

Changemaker Almas has a petition on Change.org where she is asking a leading diaper company to include the father’s image on their branding. Please sign the petition:
www.change.org/PapaPampersToo.

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