Hari Krishnan

Hari Krishnan is a Professor of Dance, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Global South Asian Studies at Wesleyan University, where he also serves as Chair of the Dance Department. His interdisciplinary research explores queer subjectivities, colonial/postcolonial dynamics, and devadasi traditions in South Asian dance. A key publication is Celluloid Classicism (2019), which redefines Bharatanatyam’s history through Tamil cinema’s lens, earning the 2020 de la Torre Bueno First Book Special Citation. He is artistic director of inDANCE, a globally acclaimed dance company, and has choreographed works like SKIN and Holy Cow(s)!, addressing identity politics and cultural taboos.

• Awards: Bessie Award Nomination (2013), Choreomundus Residency (2015), Pillow Scholar (2018).
• Teaching: Courses include Bharata Natyam and contemporary dance, with students showcased in performances like 16 Shades of Red and Black Box 3.
• Collaborations: Lighting design by John Carr, residencies at UC Davis and Jacob’s Pillow, and international lectures on dance’s sociopolitical dimensions.

His work challenges stereotypes through bold choreography and academic rigor, merging classical Indian dance with postmodern aesthetics.