Interview with Navtej Johar

Navtej Johar is a trailblazer in more ways than one. In an exclusive interview with Village Square, he talks about the past, present and future of Bharatnatyam, yoga and LGBTQ+ rights in India.
Navtej Singh Johar, a multifaceted individual known for his expertise in Bharatnatyam, advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and promotion of rural arts, reflects on his journey of breaking stereotypes. Despite familial resistance, he pursued his passion for dance and later played a pivotal role in decriminalizing same-sex relations. Johar expresses concern over the influence of nationalism on classical arts, emphasizing the need for a reflective approach over mere preservation. He believes in the organic flourishing of folk arts and urges younger dancers to focus on embodying the practice rather than adhering to colonial notions.
Navtej Singh Johar, a Bharatnatyam dancer and LGBTQ+ rights activist, highlights the impact of nationalism on classical Indian arts, stressing the importance of a reflective approach over preservation. He champions the organic growth of folk arts and encourages dancers to embody the practice rather than conforming to colonial ideals. Johar also discusses the acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in rural India, challenging urban-rural stereotypes. He emphasizes the intrinsic nature of dance and yoga as practices that transcend mere ideas or speech.
Author: Pallavi Srivastava
Edited By : Novita Singh
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#danceday #NavtejSinghJohar #Bharatnatyam #LGBTQRights #ClassicalDance #IndianArts #RuralArt #Diversity #Inclusivity #ReflectionOverPreservation #FolkArts #Yoga
#BodyMovement #BreakingStereotypes #SocialAcceptance
Tags -
[ Navtej Singh Johar ,Bharatnatyam dancer, LGBTQ+ rights activist, Indian classical dance, Traditional arts, Nationalism in the arts,Folk arts of India, Yoga exponent, Rural life in India, Urban-rural divide, Acceptance of alternate sexual identities, Cultural heritage, Colonial ideals in dance, Reflective art, Social change through art ]