Reimagining Dalkhai: A Study of Gender Performativity and Digital Evolution
摘要
Dalkhai is conventionally a female-centric folk tradition; nonetheless, patriarchal frameworks have frequently influenced its performance and distribution. Grounded in Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity, which analyses how Dalkhai's lyrical narratives and physical expressions formulate, contest, and navigate gender identities. The emergence of digital media has allowed Dalkhai to explore new avenues of representation, enhancing reinterpretations of old themes and promoting wider interaction. Digital media and technology-enhanced performances have elevated female voices, but they may also commodify or alter traditional expressions to conform to modern cultural norms. This study contends that although digital technology provides opportunities for transformation and inclusivity, it also requires critical awareness about the recontextualization of traditional folk narratives in virtual environments. The study indicates that the convergence of gender performativity and digital media is transforming Dalkhai’s cultural relevance, establishing a dynamic arena for both continuity and transformation. The technology integration and folk traditions such as Dalkhai can transform while preserving their artistic integrity, providing novel opportunities for female representation in the digital era. Therefore, the study examines the changing performance of Odisha’s Dalkhai folk music via the perspectives of gender performativity and digital transformation. It proposes a critical textual and performative examination of Dalkhai's lyrics, gestures, and vocal expressions to elucidate how the folk tradition both reinforces and subverts gender stereotypes.