Date of Award
8-2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Art in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling (MA)
Department
Creative Arts Therapies
First Advisor
Allen, Laura
Abstract
This research presents the field of dance/movement therapy (DMT) in India. The purpose of the research was to understand how DMT is practiced and perceived by current dance/movement therapists in India. The qualitative, ethnographic research was conducted in India by interviewing dance/movement therapists and observing the current DMT practice. The ethnographic component of the research was included to investigate the cultural influence of DMT practice in India. The results presents the social and cultural perspectives about DMT in India including: the challenges and the success experienced in the DMT field by current dance/movement therapists, the western DMT techniques used and modified to suit Indian culture, the integration of various Indian dance styles within the DMT practice, the conflict and controversy of DMT versus dance as therapy and the population that most commonly receives DMT service in India. This research also presents the development of DMT in India as a newly emerging profession. It reflects on the future of DMT within the mental health field. It mentions the differences between DMT practice in India and abroad and points out the directions for further research.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Rangparia, Rakhi, "Dance/Movement Therapy in India" (2011). Creative Arts Therapies Theses. 3.
https://digitalcommons.colum.edu/theses_dmt/3