Purnima Shah
Associate Professor of the Practice of Dance
Current Research Interests
Garba Dance in the Globalized World
Bhakti (Devotional) Genre of Indian Dance-Theatre
South Asian Dance in the Diaspora
Dance in Society
Bhakti (Devotional) Genre of Indian Dance-Theatre
South Asian Dance in the Diaspora
Dance in Society
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor of the Practice of Dance, Dance Program, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2009
Contact Information
- 2020 Campus Drive, Suite 209, Durham, NC 27708
- Box 90686, Durham, NC 27708-0686
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purnima.shah@duke.edu
(919) 660-3377
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Madison 2000
- M.A., University of California - Los Angeles 1992
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Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Director of the Program of Dance, Dance Program, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2014 - 2020
- Assistant Professor of the Practice of Dance, Dance Program, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2002 - 2009
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Leadership & Clinical Positions at Duke
- Program Director, DukeEngage International Summer Program in India, 2017-continuing
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Academic Positions Outside Duke
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Dance Department, University of California, Riverside . 2020 - 2021
- Recognition
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In the News
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OCT 4, 2015 -
OCT 1, 2013 -
JUL 22, 2013 Times of India -
JUL 22, 2013 Times of India -
APR 24, 2013
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Awards & Honors
- Richard K. Lublin Distinguished Teaching Award. Duke University. April 2013
- Visiting Artist Grant. Council of the Arts, Ofice of the Provost, Duke University. September 2010
- Major Faculty Collaborative Fund Grant. Provost, Duke University. January 2009
- Mary Duke Biddle Fellowship. Mary Duke Biddle Foundation. September 2008
- Arts and Science Fellowship. Duke University. June 2008
- Joshua Charles Trent Foundation Grant. Trent Foundation. June 2008
- Expertise
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Subject Headings
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Global Scholarship
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Expertise
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Research
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Teaching
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- Research
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Selected Grants
- Dance MD Biddle 2017 Proposal awarded by Mary Duke Biddle Foundation 2017
- The Garba Dance and Goddess Worship in Gujarat, India awarded by Mary Duke Biddle Foundation 2007 - 2009
- The Garba Dance and Goddess Worship in Gujarat, India awarded by Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation 2007 - 2009
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Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants
- Visiting Artist Grant awarded by Duke Council for the Arts 2010 - 2011
- Duke University Major Faculty Collaborative Grant awarded by Duke Council for the Arts 2009 - 2010
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External Relationships
- Alexander Street, ProQuest
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Books
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Shah, Purnima. Bhakti Andolana Prerita Natya ane Nrtya Prakaromam Bhaktirasa ane Madhuryabhava = The Concept of Bhaktirasa and Madhurabhava in the Bhakti Genre of Indian Dance-Theatre. B. J. Institue of Learning and Research, 2010.
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Shah, P., ed. Routledge Encyclopedia of World Dance: South Asia and South-east Asia. Routledge, 2006.
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Shah, Purnima. Garba Dance: Survival of Ritual Traditions in a Globalized World (In preparation), n.d.
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Academic Articles
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Shah, Purnima. “State Patronage to the Dance Arts in Independent India.” Marg, the Pathmaking Arts Quarterly 72, no. 1 (October 2020): 101–7.
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Shah, Purnima. “Contemporary Indian Dance: New Choreographies in India and the Diaspora by Ketu Katrak. Palgrave, 2011.” Theatre Journal 65, no. 3 (October 2013): 444–45.
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Shah, P. “Performing Migration: the Journeys of Indian Dance in America.” Attendance: The Dance Annual of India 15 (2013): 54–61.
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Shah, P. “Physio-Spiritual Transcendence through the Practice of Devotional Dance-Theatre in India.” Repertorio: Teatro & Danca, University of Bahia 15, no. 18 (2012): 43–48.
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Shah, P. “Innovative Approaches in Contemporary Kathak Dance: a Choreographic Appreciation.” Nartanam, a Quarterly Journal of Indian Dance XI, no. 3 (September 2011): 66–77.
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Shah, P. “Some Issues on Gender Politics in the Bhakti Genre of Dance-Theatre Performance.” Samipya Journal of Indology XXV, no. 3–4 (October 2009): 1–33.
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Shah, P. “Negotiating Gender in Contemporary Kathak Dance Choreography.” Samipya Journal of Indology XXV, no. 1–2 (April 2008): 1–15.
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Shah, P. “Barbara Stoler Miller Conference, Columbia University: A Critical Appraisal of Contemporary Indian Dance Scholarship.” Dance Research Journal, Special Issue on South Asian Dance 36, no. 2 (December 2004): 119–34.
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Shah, P. “2004 Barbara Stoler Miller Conference.” Dance Research Journal 36, no. 2 (January 1, 2004): 119–34. https://doi.org/10.2307/20444596.Full Text
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Shah, P. “Where they danced: Patrons, institutions, spaces: State patronage in India: Appropriation of the "regional" and "national".” Dance Chronicle 25, no. 1 (December 1, 2002): 125–41. https://doi.org/10.1081/DNC-120003123.Full Text
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Shah, P. “State Sponsorship of the Arts in India: the Appropriation of the National and Regional.” Dance Chronicle 25, no. 1 (2002): 125–42.
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Shah, P. “Transcending Gender in the Performance of Kathak.” Dance Research Journal 30, no. 2 (October 1998): 2–17.
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Shah, P. “Farmayishi Poetics of Kathak: Significance of Reception.” Ucla Journal of Dance Ethnology 18 (1994): 1–7.
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Shah, Purnima. “Contesting Pasts, Performing Futures.” Edited by Sajjad Chowdhry. Southern Asian Institute Newsletter, Columbia University 28 (n.d.): 2-23.
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Shah, Purnima. “Thumri Performance in Kathak Dance (Accepted).” Asian Theatre Journal (Accepted for Publication), n.d.
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Book Sections
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Shah, Purnima. ““Dance: 1200-1900 CE” Cultural Sociology of West, Central and South Asia.” In Cultural Sociology of the Middle East, Asia and Africa Encyclopedia. Sage Reference, Vol. IV, part II, 2012.
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Shah, Purnima. “Randala Ritual: Women’s Heritage and Identity in Gujarat, India.” In Ritual, Heritage and Identity: The Politics of Culture and Performance in a Globalized World, edited by Christiane Brosius and Karin Polit. New Delhi: Routledge, 2011.
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Book Reviews
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Shah, Purnima. “Book Review of Impersonations: The Artifice of Brahmin Masculinity in South Indian dance by Harshita Mruthiniti Kamath (2019).” Ecumenica Journal of Theatre and Performance, 2020.
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Shah, Purnima. “Book Review of Contemporary Indian Dance: New Creative Choreography in India and the Diaspora (2012).” Theatre Journal, 2013.
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Journal Issues
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Shah, Purnima, ed. “Choreographing Society, Special Issue in Dance, Arts Journal.” Arts Journal. MDPI, n.d.
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Exhibitions, Screenings, & Performances
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening/Lecture at Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Gujarat University at Ahmedabad 2013
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening/Lecture at Meghani Center for Folk Literature, University of Saurashtra at Rajkot 2013
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening/Discussion at Gujarat Vishwakosh, Ahmedabad 2013
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening/Discussion at Gujarat Vishwakosh, Ahmedabad 2013
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening/Discussion at University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway 2013
- Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India | Screening/Discussion at North Carolina Center for South Asia Faculty Colloquium, Durham 2013
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening/Discussion at Annual South Asia Conference, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2012
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening/Discussion at Wednesdays at the Center. John Hope Franklin Humanities Center, Duke University 2012
- "Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India" | Screening at World Music and International Film Festival, Washington, DC 2012
- Dancing with the Goddess: the Ras-Garba Traditions of Gujarat, India | Screening at Association of Asian Studies Conference, Toronto 2012
- Purmina Shah: Performances, 2001 - 2010 | November Dances at Reynolds Theatre, Duke University 2010
- Purmina Shah: Performances, 2001 - 2010 | November Dances at Duke University 2003
- Dashavatar | at Duke University 2003
- Purmina Shah: Performances, 2001 - 2010 | December Dances at Reynolds Theatre, Duke University. 2001
- Purmina Shah: Performances, 2001 - 2010 | at niversity of California, Riverside 2001
- Kathak dance | Asian Indian Culture Show at University of California, Riverside 2001
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Artistic Works & Non-Print Media
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Dance Productions
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Films
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Mixed Media
- Dashavatar. Director. Choreography, Dance Production. 2003
- Solo Kathak dance. Choreographer, Director. Choreography, Dance Production. 2001
- Kathak dance. Choreographer. Choreography, Dance Production. 2001
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
- AMES 246: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2023
- DANCE 316S: Unique Approaches to Dance Choreography 2023
- DANCE 356: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2023
- ICS 243: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2023
- RELIGION 241: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2023
- THEATRST 233: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2023
- AMES 246: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2022
- DANCE 101: Introduction to Dance 2022
- DANCE 280: Individual Dance Program: Special Topics 2022
- DANCE 356: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2022
- DANCE 368: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2022
- DANCE 665S: Contemporary Dance History 2022
- DANCE 891: Independent Study 2022
- GSF 212: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2022
- HISTORY 554S: Contemporary Dance History 2022
- ICS 102: Introduction to Dance 2022
- ICS 215: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2022
- ICS 243: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2022
- ICS 509S: Contemporary Dance History 2022
- RELIGION 241: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2022
- THEATRST 233: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2022
- THEATRST 236: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2022
- AMES 246: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2021
- DANCE 101: Introduction to Dance 2021
- DANCE 280: Individual Dance Program: Special Topics 2021
- DANCE 356: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2021
- DANCE 368: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2021
- DANCE 871S: Critique I 2021
- DANCE 891: Independent Study 2021
- DANCE 971S: Critique 2021
- DANCE 989: Thesis Project - MFA in Dance: Embodied Interdisciplinary Praxis 2021
- GSF 212: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2021
- ICS 102: Introduction to Dance 2021
- ICS 215: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2021
- ICS 243: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2021
- RELIGION 241: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2021
- THEATRST 233: Dance and Dance Theater of Asia 2021
- THEATRST 236: Gender in Dance and Theatre 2021
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Presentations & Appearances
- Moderator, Conversation with Odissi artist Bijayini Satpathy. . Duke Performances. December 6, 2021 2021
- Paper, “Poetic Expressions in Kathak Dance". Association for Asian Performance Conference. August 4, 2021 2021
- Moderator, “Ballet, Pedagogy, Body Image and Flow States". Talk by Courtney Liu, In Conversations: Fridays at Noon. Duke Arts and Duke Performances. March 26, 2021 2021
- Panel discussion, “Learn Arts Funding from the Pros". In Conversations: Fridays at Noon. Duke Arts, Rubenstein Arts Center. February 12, 2021 2021
- Panel discussion, “Pedagogy and Parampara, Choreography and Aesthetics in Kathak Dance". Kathak Dance Symposium / Dance Festival. April 19, 2019 - April 21, 2019 2019
- Paper, “Feminine Voice: Poetics of Thumri in Kathak Dance". Suspension: Poetry and Time at the Edge of the Secular Symposium. February 6, 2015 2015
- Plenary Talk, “The Future of Kathak Dance: Where do We Go from Here". International Kathak Dance Conference. University of Chicago / A.S. Foundation. September 12, 2014 - September 14, 2014 2014
- Paper, "Dancing with the Goddess: Tradition and Social Transformation of Garba Dances of Gujarat". Society of Dance History Scholars Conference. June 2013 2013
- Panel discussion, “Kathak Dance in a Global Context”. Arts Weekend. April 2013 2013
- Panel Chair, “Arts as a Means of Social Transformation". Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being, Healing Conference. March 2, 2013 2013
- Panel Chair, “Social Transformation: The Legacy of Pauli Murray. Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being, Healing Conference. March 2, 2013 2013
- Paper, “Dancing with the Goddess: Survival of Traditions". Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being, Healing Conference. March 1, 2013 - March 3, 2013 2013
- Lecture, "Concepts of Shaivism and Vaishnavism in Indian dance and theatre". August 21, 2010 2010
- Lecture, “Bhakti Genre of Indian Dance Theatre: Bhaktirasa and Madhurabhava". August 12, 2010 2010
- Folk dance forms in Gujarat. January 1, 2010 2010
- Lecture, “Notions of heightened femininity in the role of the Onnagata in Kabuki dance-theatre". November 13, 2009 2009
- Notes on fieldwork research. August 22, 2009 2009
- Devadasi Traditions in India and the impact of Colonization. July 16, 2009 2009
- Research Methods in Dance. December 8, 2008 2008
- Fieldwork for Garba Dance Book Project. September 11, 2008 2008
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Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
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Service to the Profession
- Reviewer : Czech Society for Science Research funding. November 27, 2013 2013
- Reviewer Theatre Journal. November 27, 2013 2013
- Chair : Selma Jean Cohen Award Committee, Society of Dance History Scholars. June 1, 2013 2013
- Planning Committee, Call for papers and Conference Program Co-coordinator : Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being, Healing. February 28, 2013 - March 3, 2013 2013
- Planning Committee, Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being, Healing Symposium. April 3, 2010 2010
- Planning Committee. Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being and Healing Symposium. April 3, 2010 2010
- Planning Committee, Call for Papers and Conference Program Co-coordinator : Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being, Healing Conference. March 1, 2009 2009
- Planning Committee : Across the Threshold: Creativity, Being, Healing Symposium. December 30, 2008 2008
- Chair, Nominations Committee : Society of Dance History Scholars. November 27, 2008 2008
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