As a person completely out of my depth I would like to respectfully ask how to navigate a particular East Indian topic:
I have a character I'm going to draw that is of Indian American descent and she will be a burlesque type dancer. Full disclosure the art will be erotic.
I understand that many Indian dances have spiritual roots (I'm particularly looking at Bharatanatyam. Maybe Kathak) and I want to include inspiration from her culture in her burlesque but I also don't want to step in the wrong place. I understand that, subjectively, she could probably do as she liked as a person of that culture but I, an African American, am drawing her as a person that is not of that culture and I would rather not run into some problematic areas like exotification or inappropriately perverting meaning. Like I know those hand gestures mean something and I just don't want to throw them around all willy-nilly.
I've considered just going Bollywood since those dances are mixed with modern dances anyway but still I would like some input on how to navigate eroticism/burlesque and East Indian cultural dances. And I'm chill if in the end I should just do burlesque and not even try to include that part of her.
Tagging communities I think would be relevant. Forgive my ignorance for any missteps I make.
Send me a private ask or hit me up in chat and I'll give you the details. Thank you for any help I make get.
