Dance is the hidden language of the soul

 Dance is a movement of body in a rhythmic way usually to music within

a given space for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion,

releasing energy or simply taking delight in the movement itself.

Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse

channelled by skilful performers into something that becomes intensely

expressive and that may delight spectators who feel no wish to dance

themselves. These two concepts of the art of dance—dance as a

powerful impulse and dance as a skilfully choreographed art practiced

largely by a professional few—are the two most important connecting

ideas running through any consideration of the subject. In dance, the

connection between the two concepts is stronger than in some other

arts, and neither can exist without the other.

Different Forms of Dances are:

1. Bharatnatyam

Performed on the celestial tunes of the Carnatic music, Bharatnatyam comes

from the state of Tamil Nadu in South. The dance form is known for its beautiful

body movements and gestures which are called Mudras in the traditional

language. It focuses on the hand gestures, leg movement and the facial

expressions of the dancer. India kept the dance form alive in the houses, and

today it is recognised as one of the most respectable art forms in India especially

in the Southern region of the country where it is a moment of pride for the women

of the house to learn the classical dance form of Bharatnatyam.

2. Kathak

Coming from the northern part of the country from the state of Uttar Pradesh,

Kathak comes from the word 'Katha' which means "story" in Hindi.  Kathak is

often referred to as the dance of love, and it can be performed by both by the

male and female dancer together. This dance form focuses highly on the ankle

movements complemented by the ankle that has to match the beats of the music.

Ankle bells or gunghroos as they are called in the traditional language is an

important part of the discipline of this dance form. 

3. Odissi

Odissi dance form comes from the state of Odisha in the eastern part of India.

The traditional dance has been derived from the Hindu temples in Odisha. Most

of the gestures and movements (Mudras) are inspired by the sculptors and idols

belonging to the ancient temples of India. The dance is performed as a way to

express the mythological tales of Hindu gods, including that of Shiva and Surya.

Odissi is considered as the oldest dance forms of India which are surviving till

today. Odissi dance is performed mostly by the women dancers, and it includes

more than 50 intriguing mudras (body movements).

4)JAZZ

Jazz dance, any dance to jazz accompaniments, composed of a profusion of forms.

Jazz dance paralleled the birth and spread of jazz itself from roots in Black

American society and was popularized in ballrooms by the big bands of

the swing era (1930s and ’40s). Jazz dance may allude to vernacular jazz or

to Broadway or dramatic jazz. The two types expand on African-American vernacular

styles of dance that arose with jazz music. Vernacular jazz dance

incorporates ragtime moves, Charleston, Lindy hop and mambo. 

5)Hip Hop

Hip-hop dance began during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, originally inspired by

the movements of African dancing, and flourished as a new style of dance performed

on the street for the people. Hip-hop dance is a unique and exciting style of street

dance that is most commonly performed to hip-hop music. Hip-hop dance is a vibrant

form of dance that combines a variety of freestyle movements to create a cultural

piece of art. Through its three main styles of popping, locking, and breaking, hip-hop

dance has evolved into one of the most popular and influential styles of dance.

6)Contemporary

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of

several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet.

Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance

movements. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation.

Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the

floor. This dance genre is often done in bare feet. Contemporary dance can be

performed to many different styles of music.

By Sukanya Solase