Uday Shankar performance programs and ephemera

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Uday Shankar performance programs and ephemera, C0444, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Shankar, Uday, 1900-1977
Abstract:
A collection of performance programs and ephemera created and collected by Indian dancer and choreographer Uday Shankar.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Uday Shankar performance programs and ephemera, C0444, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of performance programs, photographs, newspaper clippings, and ephemera created and collected by Indian dancer and choreographer Uday Shankar, most related to performances by "Uday Shankar and His Hindu Ballet." Other items include newspaper clippings about Uday's brother, sitar player Ravi Shankar, an advertisement for The Isle of Paradise, a 1932 documentary film about Bali, a poster advertisement for Ragini Devi, and promotional programs for Ruth St. Denis with Ted Shawn and the Denishawn Dancers.

Biographical / historical:

Uday Shankar Chowdhury (known professionally as Uday Shankar) was born in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India on December 8, 1900, the eldest of five sons, including brother Ravi Shankar, a sitarist and composer. Shankar is best known for his global popularization of classical Indian dance through his fusion of the elements with European dance and theatrical styles. His career as a dancer and choreographer began in London in 1923 as the partner of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, for whom he choreographed two ballets inspired by classical Indian dance, "Hindu Wedding" and "Radha-Krishna", the second of which was a duet performed by Pavlova and Shankar. After touring throughout Europe, Shankar returned to India in 1929 where he formed his own dance company known as "Uday Shankar and his Hindu Ballet" and in January 1933 played his first performance in the United States in New York City. Shankar and his troupe of dancers and musicians toured globally, including regular performances in cities throughout the United States, for the next 30 years. He passed away on September 26, 1977 at the age of 76.

Acquisition information:
Donated by William McFarlane.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in February 2025. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in March 2025.

Arrangement:

This is a single folder collection.

Physical location:
R 71, C 1, S 7
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard