Abstract

Women have historically occupied a complex and contested space within performing arts traditions. Across theatre dance and music female artists have been simultaneously celebrated as icons of cultural expression and marginalized through patriarchal structures. This paper examines the representation and identity of women in performing arts focusing on Indian and global contexts. It analyzes how women navigate roles as performers creators and cultural custodians while negotiating issues of gender inequality objectification and agency. Literature review and case studies reveal how feminist interventions digital media and globalization have redefined women’s participation in performing arts. At the same time challenges persist in the form of stereotyping underrepresentation in leadership and systemic barriers. The findings suggest that women in performing arts embody resilience and innovation contributing not only to aesthetic practices but also to broader struggles for equality and repres