Decolonisation is fundamental when engaging with Tantric epistemology to illuminate how dance can connect with its origins in Hindu temple rituals. The origins of South Indian rituals trace back to a pre-Vedic era, centred on worshipping Shakti, the feminine source of the universe, which was primarily venerated. In my practice-led research, I discuss how male dancers connect with their feminine energy to create a union with Goddess energy.
Tantra, a Sanskrit word meaning “to weave,” is a systematic way of comprehending reality by integrating direct experience and embodied knowledge, which is described in non-dualistic terms.
I employ a phenomenological lens to frame the research from a first-person perspective, using Tantra as the overarching methodology. Traditional Western methodologies strive for logical, detached understanding, whereas Tantra delves into realms beyond the physical body's limitations, enabling intuitive individuals to explore the spiritual beyond ordinary perception.
Decolonising means recognising and respecting cultural contexts while ensuring that rituals are translated into dance forms with reverence for their origins. A pilgrimage scaffolds this research, and the ritual practices serve as building materials for the structure of the philosophical language of Hindu tradition. The interdisciplinary dialogue among yogic practices and classical Indian dance training, influenced by various Asian dance initiatives, presents a more holistic approach. This narrative encompasses spiritual heritage and forms of worship, focusing on philosophical ideologies, somatic movement, and a greater awareness of bodily sensations. The more inclusive Tantric epistemology is a more appropriate and authentic lens through which to explore the subject matter.