Synopsis This book brings together three fields of the Performing Arts of India--The Folk Tradition; Popular Dramatic Genres; and Classical Dance. In all three, it is the performers who are the focus, i.e. those on whom the success, development and even survival of these arts depend. Seventeen original chapters provide new insights into the arts and their performers in the context of the changing society around them, exploring their strengths and the issues facing them today. They show hereditary caste performers, professionals seeking to make a living out of their arts, as well as enthusiastic amateurs, all contributing to the importance of these arts across the social spectrum. The editors bring out the unity of themes and performing traditions underlying the rich diversity explored here. This book will interest readers in the fields of anthropology, the sociology of art, and South Asian studies, but more specifically those concerned with the performing arts, theatre, dance, Folk Culture, and Indology.