Theatre Costume thumbnail 1
Theatre Costume thumbnail 2
+8
images
Not on display

This object consists of 8 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Theatre Costume

1966 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This costume was worn by Gopal in The Eagle Dance, one of his most famous solos; in it he portrayed Garuda, the sacred golden eagle of Lord Vishnu, whose mission was to destroy the Naga (snake) people, for which Vishnu rewarded him with immortality. The costume is made of gold leather, cut into 'feathers' and lotus shapes, trimmed with brilliant blue, and under the stage lights would have shone with a sun-like radiance entirely fitted to a servant of a god. It has been noted by Ann David that in Garuda Gopal's 'virtuosic leaps as the giant mythological eagle represented a strength and virility that created a public display of masculinity - more important at that time when high-caste Indian males were not encouraged to dance and when homosexuality remained a criminal act in India and Brritain'.

Such costumes were expensive, some were insured for as much as £25,000, and they had to be carefully looked after. Thus, the wings and headdress for this costume had specially designed carrying cases to protect them on the long journeys between engagements.

Ram Gopal was one of the most important dancers of the 20th century. He was a major figure in the revival of Indian dance and his spectacular theatrical presentations introduced it to audiences both in Asia and the West. He was proud of the authenticity of his music, costuming and style, shrewdly tailored his presentations to Western audiences, using modern theatrical techniques and spectacular presentation.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Waistcoat
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Skirt
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Headdress
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Wing
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Wing
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Wing
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Wing
  • Theatre Costume
  • Dance Costume
  • South Asian Dance Costume
  • Headdress
Materials and techniques
Headdress moulded rubber with gold leather 'feathers' 22 carat gold kid leather cut into 'feathers' and lotus shapes, trimmed with brilliant blue
Brief description
Costume for Garuda, the Eagle Dance worn by Ram Gopal (1912?-2003)
Physical description
The eagle's head headdress is constructed like a helmet covered with 'gold feathers' with large beak and red jewelled eyes. The large wings of gold feathers are held in place with three arm and hand bands. Gold loincloth decorated with feathers and jewelry
Gallery label
(March 2009)
18
HEADDRESS FOR THE EAGLE GOD IN GARUDA
1966

Garuda was one of Ram Gopal’s most popular dances from the time of his first appearance in London in 1939. In the performance, the Eagle God makes a daily journey to the heavens to obtain amrit, the food of the gods. The helmet, with overlapping gold leather ‘feathers’ and the gold metal lotus motifs, represents the winged eagle.

Leather, metal, synthetic silk, glass, foam rubber and elastic
Designed and made by Jenny Levy Casperson
Given by the Trustees of the Ram Gopal Estate
Museum no. S.111:3-2004
Credit line
Given by the Trustees of the Ram Gopal Estate
Object history

Historical context
Ram Gopal (1912?-2003) and Uday Shankar, were the most important Indian dancers of the 20th century. Gopal built on Shankar’s pioneering revival of Indian dance and its introduction to audiences both in Asia and the West, taking it one stage further. He remained faithful to the pure discipline, technique and ethos of Indian classical. but he also started to open out a deeper appreciation of Indian classical dance traditions, shrewdly tailored to Western audiences, using modern theatrical techniques and spectacular presentation. He widened audiences experiences by including music and other folk and classical styles alongside his own pieces. Each item was preceded by an explanation, enabling audiences to understand and appreciate what was, at that time, a very esoteric art form.
For three decades he was a major world star, with a glamour and charisma equal to any other major dance star of the period. He not only raised public awareness of the richness of Indian dance but worked with dancers trained in other dance forms, like Alicia Markova, thus setting a precedent in Britain for the current thriving and creative South Asian dance scene, which mixes classical Indian dance with other contemporary and classical dance styles to create something uniquely itself.
Each of Gopal’s costumes was hand made and tailored to his own design. He spent huge sums on his costumes, which could be insured for as much as £25,000. Some were made of cloth of gold, woven and tailored in India; when it became worn, it was sent back to India, melted down and rewoven.
Summary
This costume was worn by Gopal in The Eagle Dance, one of his most famous solos; in it he portrayed Garuda, the sacred golden eagle of Lord Vishnu, whose mission was to destroy the Naga (snake) people, for which Vishnu rewarded him with immortality. The costume is made of gold leather, cut into 'feathers' and lotus shapes, trimmed with brilliant blue, and under the stage lights would have shone with a sun-like radiance entirely fitted to a servant of a god. It has been noted by Ann David that in Garuda Gopal's 'virtuosic leaps as the giant mythological eagle represented a strength and virility that created a public display of masculinity - more important at that time when high-caste Indian males were not encouraged to dance and when homosexuality remained a criminal act in India and Brritain'.

Such costumes were expensive, some were insured for as much as £25,000, and they had to be carefully looked after. Thus, the wings and headdress for this costume had specially designed carrying cases to protect them on the long journeys between engagements.

Ram Gopal was one of the most important dancers of the 20th century. He was a major figure in the revival of Indian dance and his spectacular theatrical presentations introduced it to audiences both in Asia and the West. He was proud of the authenticity of his music, costuming and style, shrewdly tailored his presentations to Western audiences, using modern theatrical techniques and spectacular presentation.

Bibliographic reference
Ann R David, Ram Gopal interweaving histories of Indian Dance London, Methuen 2024
Collection
Accession number
S.111:1 to 8-2004

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 27, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest