Performance Art for Renaissance & Cultural activism | Manjari Chaturvedi | TEDxScindia School Youth

Art has the power to inspire, challenge, and transform societies. In this thought-provoking TEDx talk, acclaimed dancer and cultural activist Manjari Chaturvedi explores how performance art serves as a powerful tool for social change—going beyond entertainment to shape narratives and break stereotypes.

Manjari’s journey reflects her commitment to redefining artistic expression:

• Sufi Kathak (1998) – A pioneering fusion of classical Indian dance and Sufi traditions, bringing together diverse audiences and expanding the boundaries of performance art.
• The Courtesan Project (2009-Present) – A 15-year movement honoring the forgotten contributions of tawaifs in classical music and dance, restoring their rightful place in history.

With a career spanning 30 years, she delves into the layers of creativity in her work and the evolution of her artistic journey. Her talk invites us to rethink performance art—not just as an aesthetic experience, but as a means to document, explore, and drive meaningful change. Even if transformation takes years, art remains a force capable of reshaping culture and society.

Join Manjari Chaturvedi as she shares her inspiring journey and envisions the endless possibilities of performance art in activism. Manjari Chaturvedi, a leading exponent of classical dance in India for 25 years, has created her own path in performing arts, blending spirituality with dance. She has transformed traditional Kathak into her unique style, Sufi Kathak.

Her dance productions are thoroughly researched, where she combines original traditions with her artistic expression. Each performance is unique, with her pouring heart and soul into every movement.

Manjari has explored gender-sensitive subjects through dance, incorporating poetry, music, and tradition while reviving lost eras and creating mystical, ecstatic dance.

A danseuse representing the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak and a postgraduate in Environmental Sciences, Manjari bridges the gap between tradition and modernity in her art. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx