"Kathakars were known as storytellers, and these are ways of telling mythological stories: they convey meanings through the form of dance, and you can think about it in sociological terms - the dancer is conveying a story." – Hari Krishna Gami

In this Winter Shorts episode, science communication student Hari Krishna Gami shares his short podcast about Kathak, a traditional North Indian dance form, with hosts Avantika and Emma – discussing how this connects to science communication, hybrid identities, and intersectionality. Drawing on their lived experiences, Krishna and Avantika muse about what it means to wear multiple hats in multicultural Australia and how culture, language and community shape the way we see ourselves and others.

The conversation explores the challenges and strengths of holding multiple identities and the role of cultural practices in maintaining connections. They also reflect on the importance of listening across different perspectives and how embracing diverse experiences can help create more inclusive science communication.

"The conversation needs to be less around ‘do you belong to a certain community?’ and instead ‘do you belong to multiple communities of cultural identities?’" – Hari Krishna Gami

Episode links

Master of Science Communication: The University of Western Australia

Learn more about the art of Kathak dancing here

Read about the role of identity and culture in science communication here

Read about inclusion in science communication here

Learn about interculturalism and choreography here

Episode Credits

Hosts: Avantika Menon and Emma Gill

Special Guest: Hari Krishna Gami

Produced and Edited by: Emma Gill

Audio Engineering: Matthew Gill

Show notes by: Avantika Menon and Camila Pardo Uribe