During the first lockdown, 41% of the creative sector closed, and 53% of the events and entertainment management sector experienced 90% of their business canceled between March and July 2020 itself*.

The creative sector continues to struggle, and the impact of such closures has and continues to cause artists to struggle, specifically dancers. The community of dancers is, undeniably, a huge and diverse sector, but also unorganized. Small studio owners, struggling dancers as well as folk artists are a part of the performing arts community that has been deeply affected by the pandemic.

The nature of the art form is such that it is interwoven with bringing people together, and due to the restrictions on gatherings, the effect on dancers has been drastic and immediate. Due to this, they are forced to look at alternative ways of providing for themselves, outside of dance. This has created unique challenges for all those who depended on dance for their livelihood. Those operating at the intersections of caste, class, religion, gender-based vulnerabilities have faced multiple systematic challenges over the years, which the lockdown has only added onto.