Why can the death of a master dancer lead to changes in a dance tradition?

The death of a master dancer can lead to changes in a dance tradition primarily because there is often no one available to replace them, creating a void in the transmission of the art form.1

In many traditional contexts, dance is preserved through continuous, uninterrupted practice under the creative leadership of these masters. When a master passes away, the lack of a successor can disrupt the inherited manner of learning and performing the dance. This loss of leadership often coincides with broader social changes—such as shifts in community life, education, or the influence of modern media—which may further discourage younger generations from learning the tradition in its original form.12

Consequently, when the traditional chain of transmission is broken, the dance may undergo radical stylistic changes or even disappear entirely. In such instances, creative individuals may attempt to build new expressive patterns to adapt to their changing environment, often shifting the focus of the dance toward entertainment or commercial performance rather than its original social or ritual purpose.21