Dance is not just an art form. It is a performing art in which one expresses themselves through gestures, moves, and expressions. Having been appreciated and encouraged by former Kings, to today’s leaders and intellectuals, Dancing is one of the most popular hobbies and skills to pick up. International Dance Day, which is celebrated annually on April 29 to honor all dance styles worldwide, honors this lovely form of art.
World Dance Day is another name for International Dance Day. The day promotes culture and the arts while increasing public understanding of the “art of dance.” Additionally, it promoted awareness of various dance styles and their importance to the art form.
Describing a dance form is as beautiful as the dance itself. The elegance with which one moves, the music that accompanies, the expression that adds life to the dance, and the effort that is masked under an ease that had come through many years of dedication; there is even more that adds beauty to this assortment. It is not that simple to define dance.
Significance of World Dance Day
The 29th of April was chosen because it is the birthdate of renowned French dancer Jean-Georges Noverre, a ballet master and significant dance reformer born in 1727.
Additional activities, such as open-door courses, exhibitions, articles, street shows, special performances, etc., are planned all over the world.
We cannot deny that this day serves as a celebration for individuals who appreciate dance and its art forms and a wake-up call for those who have not yet realized its importance.
International Dance Day also aims to spread awareness about the dance forms that didn’t gain popularity or audience as others.
Today, performing arts like Salsa, Jazz, Bharatnatyam, and Tango are popular around the world. They have participation and instructors helping them be more popular.
But that isn’t the case with several dance forms around the world.
- Flamenco
Originating from the Spanish culture, Flamenco is one fiery and passionate dance form. Usually, the performance includes a dancer and a guitarist. The dancer stays put for the first few beats while the guitarist strums a tune; then the dancer starts pacing around on stage showing passionate and fluid moves.
This performing art is still comparatively popular, but International dance day does justice to these.
- Polka Dance
Polka is a dance that originated in Bohemia, Czech Republic. The word “polka” means “half step”. It is a quick moment from one foot to another.
Polka dance represents the culture and style of that region with an emphasis on skill and precise movements.
- Thidambu Nritham
This ritual dance known as Thidambu Nritham is typically performed at temples. Namboothiris, the performers, dance while balancing a gorgeously decorated god on their heads.
You get the same spiritual energy from seeing them dance when you watch them perform. To be mesmerized by this dance, travel to the temples of Northern Malabar in India.
International dance day is for such lesser-known graceful dancing arts.
- Cancan Dance
Cancan is a high-energy, and physically demanding dance. The stage has four women on stage in vibrant and beautiful outfits. Coming from the land of France or Alegria it is a fiesta dance.
It gained popularity as a music hall dance in the 1840s keeping its feet firm in French cabaret to this day. It is best known for its high kicks that expose one leg through their dresses on a gallop of upbeat music.
- Cheraw Dance
It is a well-liked Mizoram traditional dance that is also referred to as a bamboo dance. The bamboo is preserved on the ground in cross and horizontal shapes. The male dancers move the bamboo in time to the rhythms, while the female dancers enter and exit the bamboo.
The dance used to be conducted to assure the spirits of women who passed away after childbirth a safe departure, but it is now performed on any occasion.
World dance day does justice to these performing arts by making them popular.
- Shaolin Monk Dance
The Hunan, China-born Shaolin monks are renowned for their proficiency in martial arts. The monks have a united knowledge base thanks to their more than 1500-year legacy. It was combined with discipline and kung fu to create a highly unique dancing style.
- Kalbelia
The nomadic tribes of Rajasthan, India, are the originators of this dancing style. The girls delicately move their bodies to mimic the movement of the snakes to the music performed by the males in the dance, which is thought to be a way for the tribe to express their feeling of identity. Along with their dancing techniques, the “sapera dancers” or “snake charm dancers” are also known for their costumes and jewels.
Due to UNESCO’s representative record of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010, this dancing style gained notoriety.
- Celestial Dance
The Cambodian dance depicts the sagas that have prevailed in the country for hundreds of years. It had been even graven into some components of the Angkor War. Cambodian dances of this tradition are known as their princes and princesses. All exist, male and female deities, Giants and monkeys
