Dance is perhaps the most shining achievement of evolution, whether divine or not. It is movement in dance that distinguishes us from many other life forms. Without dance we miss out on much of the ecstasy of our wonderful world and remain bare of the exhilaration that dancing can awaken in our being
Dance has certainly been an important part of ceremonies, rituals, celebrations and entertainment since the earliest human civilisations. Archeology delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as the 9,000 year old Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka paintings in India and Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures from c. 3300 BC. One of the earliest structured uses of dances may have been in the performance and in the telling of myths. It was also sometimes used to show feelings for one of the opposite gender.
Before the production of written languages, dance was one of the methods of passing these stories down from generation to generation. Another early use of dance may have been as a precursor to ecstatic trance states in healing ritualsIt was also sometimes used to show feelings for one of the opposite gender.
Astronomical events made a deep impression on ancient man and movements of the heavenly bodies were imitated through circle dances and there are many and various rituals amongst the cultures of the world, present and past, where dance is an important element in the life and well being of the community, with love work and ritual all finding expression through dance. Many important events, such as births, marriages and death were celebrated and mourned with dancing and humans would dance for the heavens to send rain and would dance in bliss when these dancing prayers were answered
It is only since 1890 that it has been possible to capture movement on film. For many thousands of years, dance could only be preserved by example hence we only have fleeting glimpses of the breadth and range of the dancing that enchanted man and womankind for eons. Sadly the vast majority of the human experience of dance is lost to us
A painter and his painting are separate, once painted if the painter is not there the painting still exists, with a poet , the poem remains even if the poet does not, the same with a sculptor and his sculpture. However with dance when the dancer goes, so does the dance, they are linked and depend on each other. Your capability and ability to absorb and engage in dance also affects your enjoyment and your experience
As the dancer cannot overlook and properly admire his dance and the onlookers cannot be in and within the dance, to what extent can a dance performance really be appreciated and understood? It seems as if this dichotomy between the dance, the dancer and those being dazzled by the dance, is destined to remain. What is important however is to understand that this distinction is there and your appreciation of dance and other forms of art is mainly of a subjective nature
In many respects it is similar to religious experiences, that those who have felt and been moved by such phenomena have difficulty in adequately getting across to another the power and emotion of the happening. Of course all this also has a lot to do with the fact that often, the experiencer does not fully fathom the precise nature of the mood and emotion that happened. It is therefore very difficult to get across in words or other media what you feel and experience when you dance. And so it should be...that is the essence of such phenomena
There are performance dances, where professionals or the accomplished perform and the rest watch. and there are social dances that people dance themselves in non accomplished ways. With performance dances, you have to learn and practice and work hard and long and this takes time, effort and dedication. After all you are performing for an audience so you have to be proficient
A great deal also depends on the form and nature of the dance. For example a solely individual dance form such as Bharatnatyam tries to get across a range of emotions and much else by gestures and glances, but the audience itself has to be fairly accomplished to understand and comprehend the essentials of such a performance. With social dances you do not need to work too hard be engaged . Even if you are not good it does not really matter
The best and most significant form of dance is not that of the professionals. In the main you have to be fairly knowledge about the professional and classical dances to enjoy and appreciate them. Professional dances should not be regarded as the pinnacle of dance. The most significant and useful dances are communal dances. They soar and transcend far above professional performances.
As for dances done for social pleasure they are in the main of momentary significance and some of them still require a lot of energy and effort. Rarely are there dances which can be done for social pleasure and also have significance and some higher purpose.The most significant form of dance is not that of the professionals
A circle is the ideal shape, arrangement, composition, you would not find this fascination in a dance which has any other shape or arrangement. There is something about a circle which is essential, foundational. A circle roots you, but also keeps you within, so you do not spin and shoot away. It just about stops you from doing that, otherwise with that speed and momentum, it is easy to imagine a dancer breaking off and careering away
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There are innumerable benefits in dance and dancing. Dance can make us fitter and healthier, mentally and physically. Dance can also increase our social interaction and bonding with like minded people. Dance is something that can be done by all ages from infants to the elderly, Even the infirm can enjoy dance to some extent. Dance can be done as part of a group or even alone. Dance can happen in a variety of places and settings, and for different purposes and reasons
Nowadays people are leading physically inactive lives and rates of obesity are on the increase and dance can help to maintain a fitter body. Dance can have a profound effect on health and well being and it is far better to dance than to engage in repetitive forms of exercise. For the individual depending on the nature of the chosen dances, there can be personal and mental growth and a more fulfilled life. There is a chance to form and sustain friendships and relationships, whether platonic romantic
Dance being a fusion of many forms of art, including music, literature and the visual arts, helps individuals to grow intellectually as well. Dance also exposes people to more music and studies have identified that good forms of music can improve our mental well being. Dance helps to improve rhythmic and creative expression and enriches our imagination and innovation. Dance has an impressive number of styles and forms and themes and there is something to suit most people
Dance is one of the most environmentally friendly activities, as it hardly uses up much of the precious resources of our world. The energy used up in dance comes from food we would usually consume. Dance does not need lavish places or buildings for it to happen, a simple music player with speakers and and a small piece of ground or field is all that is needed. Great dancing can take place using no more than instruments which were available just a few thousand years ago. Dance has fairly minimal requirements in terms of equipment and resources
The New England Journal of Medicine reported in 2003 on a 21 year study carried out by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine New York, on the effects of recreational activities on the elderly. The study examined cognitive activities such as reading books, writing, doing puzzles, playing cards and musical instruments. It also examined physical activities such as tennis, golf, swimming, bicycling, walking and doing housework
The study found that almost none of the physical activities appeared to offer any protection against dementia. The only physical activity which did offer protection against dementia was frequent dancingDancing Best
The study reported on the reduced risk of dementia, as follows;
Reading - 35% reduced risk of dementiaBicycling and swimming - 0%Doing crossword puzzles at least four days a week - 47%Playing golf - 0%Dancing frequently - 76%.
The above study established that dancing contained the greatest risk reduction of any activity studied, cognitive or physical. This finding is of the greatest value. It was believed that dancing had these benefits as dancing integrates several brain functions at once. Dancing simultaneously involves kinesthetic, rational, musical and emotional processes. Of course the kind of dancing you do does matter, and further research is needed on this. However it seems sensible to conclude that folk dances such as garba and raas have many elements in them which make them suitable as dances for improving mental and physical health
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you don't stop dancing from growing old, you grow old from stopping to dance
The Natyashastra is a treatise on dance and drama attributed to the sage Bharata Muni. It is believed to have been composed in In the Fifth Century ( check ) AD Bharata established artistic principles and a system of training. These rigid rules of the language of gesture were laid out in his treatise the Natya Shastra. Sanskrit has a single word for dance and drama, the two being considered inseparable: Natya. Bharata speaks of Nritya the expressive dance that tells a story through pantomime; and Nritta, the pure dance performed for its own sake, in which the dancer surrenders to intoxicating rhythm
The Natyashastra is important as it is a treatise on the various human emotions and longings that exist in us and how they can be awakened, brought out and expressed. According to the Natyashastra creating plays and paintings, writing poetry, making sculptures, chanting, meditating, even religious discourse and listening to myths and legends and communal singing, are some of the acts and behaviors, that can help to beckon, engage and awaken the Ras. Dance, of course, is the greatest devices for the Ras to be awakened and Garba and Raas are the greatest of dances.
The Natyashastra is important as it is a treatise on the various human emotions and longings that exist in us and how they can be awakened, brought out and expressed. According to the Natyashastra creating plays and paintings, writing poetry, making sculptures, chanting, meditating, even religious discourse and listening to myths and legends and communal singing, are some of the acts and behaviors, that can help to beckon, engage and awaken the Ras. Dance, of course, is the greatest devices for the Ras to be awakened and Garba and Raas are the greatest of dances
The gestures and movements we see in Indian classical dance originate from the Natyashastra and these take time to learn, appreciate and understand. Accomplished classical dancers, through the rigorous practice of their art and craft were, on more than a few occasions, able to awaken this essence, this sap, this Ras, the Ras”a within. To reach such accomplishment rigorous training was required and such dancing became the preserve of very few
The gestures and movements we see in Indian classical dance originate from the Natyashastra and these take time to learn, appreciate and understand. Accomplished classical dancers, through the rigorous practice of their art and craft were, on more than a few occasions, able to awaken this essence, this sap, this Ras, the Ras”a within. To reach such accomplishment rigorous training was required and such dancing became the preserve of very few. It became the asset of those who expended considerable time, effort and dedication to become accomplished. Such accomplishment was not, and is still not within the reach of the majority of people; those onlooking and
We see an exhibition of many of the Rasas covered in the Natyashastra whenever we watch a film, or a play or indeed when interact with other humans. The Natyashastra is a fascinating and complex work and we hope to explore the work further in future articles and flip booksCREATE BLOG ON THE NATYASHASTRA