Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of the book with a summary of the chapter contents. The book is written from an ethnographic perspective, reflecting upon the past and present while looking to the future of dance in a modern Indian society. The authors draw upon their specific expertise, bringing to the volume a wide variety of topics and perspectives, all united in dance. The book investigates many aspects of dance from classical dances to the ritual dances held in village festivals. The final chapters of the book contain “artists’ voices” where the authors have interviewed ritual and classical dance performers and teachers. United in dance, the people of North East India are the focus of this publication and they provide more than a glimpse into a world where dance is a natural and important part of everyday life.