“Dancers come and go in the twinkling of an eye, but the dance lives on.”

– Michael Jackson

Dancing is one of the most vibrant and diverse forms of art. The physiological response of our bodies to music is the simplest definition of dance. Dancing involves the rhythmic movements of our bodies often to the beat of music. It often has symbolic and aesthetic value. Dancing helps us to express ourselves through expressions and body language forgoing the need for verbal communication.

Origin of Dance

Like the King of Pop Michael Jackson said the art form of dancing is eternal. We have been dancing since the very beginning of humanity. You would be astonished to know that the earliest historical evidence of dance can be found in cave paintings in India dating to about 8000 BCE. The ancient Egyptian pyramids also depict various dance forms. In ancient Greece and Rome, dancing played a key role in the festive rituals of Dionysus and Bacchus. Even the Greek Olympic Games began with a ritualistic dance.

In India, dance served as an important aspect of worship. It was also adapted for performances in the courtroom. In fact, the history of dancing in India goes back to millennia. From classical dances to folk performances, India has a rich tradition of the art form.

China’s dance history is at least 3000 years old. Even today, traditional performances of dragon dance and lion dance are included in various Chinese celebrations.

In Europe, dance evolved rapidly during the Renaissance. It moved from being religious to secular. In the 15^th and 16^th centuries, courtroom dances originated in Italy and France. They gradually swept across the upper echelons of the rest of Europe.  Folk dances also saw immense growth among the commoners.

The 1920s saw the emergence of social dances. People looked to dance as a way to break free of the rigid social expectations of Victorian times.

Ever since then, dance has been continuously evolving.

Top 5 Dance Forms

You would be surprised to know that there are hundreds of dance forms all over the world. Every culture has its very own dance style.

Let us have a look at some of the most popular dance forms. Note, though, that while our primary focus here is on several prominent dance forms, it’s important to acknowledge that this overview excludes major global styles such as flamenco from Spain, samba from Brazil, and traditional African dances. Each of these dance forms carries immense cultural significance, with their unique rhythms, movements, and histories playing a vital role in their respective cultures and contributing to the richness of the global dance landscape.

Bharat Natyam:

• Origin: Bharatnatyam is one of the earliest recorded dance forms in the world. It originated in the temples of India’s Tamil Nadu. The earliest known mention of this temple dance can be found in Bharata’s Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theatre dated 500 BCE. In the beginning, it was performed by women in temples to show their devotion to the deities. Bharatnatyam faced challenges during the colonial era but emerged stronger, preserving its cultural essence.
• Key Elements: Accompanied by Carnatic musical instruments like veena, mridangam, and violin, the Bharatnatyam dancer, adorned in a colorful costume and ghungroo (anklet with bells) showcases their spirituality and narrates devotional stories through their art. The portrayal of emotions (rasa) and moods (bhava). Dancers need to be well-versed in adavus, the basic movements of all Indian classical dance styles.
• Techniques: Bharatnatyam is one of the most expressive art forms. It uses complex footwork, hand gestures (known as mudras), body movements like angas and upangas, and facial expressions (known as abhinaya). It requires immense dedication and hard work.

Ballet:

• Origin: Ballet originated in Italy during the Renaissance in the 15^th century. It evolved in the Russian and French courts and soon gained popularity all over the Western world. Today, there are myriad ballet genres like classical, neoclassical, and contemporary.
• Key Elements: Ballet is known for its exact and structured motions, stances, and movements. It has a strong narrative structure that is used to tell tales and portray characters. This dance form requires in-depth instruction in the classical center and barre practice. Proper posture, turnout, and extension are some of the key elements of this style. 
• Techniques: Ballet is a graceful dance style that places importance on precise footwork, intricate choreography, and fluid movements. It includes a combination of positions and movements like plies, tendus, pirouettes, and grand jetes. Dancers often dance on their toes (en pointe) in classical ballet. Naturally, it requires dancers years of practice to strengthen their core muscles and flexibility.

Jazz: 

• Origin: Influenced by African American vernacular dances, European folk dances, and other social dances of the time, Jazz emerged as a popular dance style in the United States of America in the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. It is a wide genre that includes styles like Broadway jazz, modern jazz, and classical jazz.
• Key Elements: Strongly impacted by jazz music, jazz dancers derive inspiration from song lyrics. Comprising energetic and dynamic movements, syncopated rhythms, and expressive style, jazz dance focuses on individual improvisation and expression while incorporating elements of ballet, modern dance, and street dance. Storytelling is a key aspect of this dance form. 
• Techniques: Jazz dancers have to be well-trained in kicks, turns, leaps, and isolations. The emphasis is on rhythm, musicality, and coordination.  

Contemporary: 

• Origin: Contemporary dance originated in the middle of the 20^th century as a form of protest against the strict and rigid styles of traditional dance forms like ballet. Modern dance stalwarts like Martha Graham and Mercy Cunningham played a crucial role in the rise of contemporary dance.
• Key Elements: It is one of the most fluid and expressive dance forms that includes elements of jazz, ballet, ethnic dance, modern dance, and other dance forms. With a strong emphasis on movement and emotion, contemporary dance can be either abstract or narratively oriented. The best part is that any kind of music can be used for this dance style.
• Techniques: The basic tenet of contemporary dance is innovation. It is an eclectic dance form that focuses on the flexibility of expression. Movements such as floor work, improvisation, and fluidity are common. Individual interpretation and experimentation are encouraged.

Hip-Hop:

• Origin:  Hip-hop emerged in the African American and Latino communities of New York in the 1970s.
• Key Elements:  Accompanied by hip-hop music, R&B, funk, and electronic dance music, this dance form encompasses varied styles like breaking, locking, popping, krumping, and freestyle. Hip-hop focuses on rhythm, groove, and personal style. Hip-hop dancers are often found engaging in freestyle battles and ciphers.
• Techniques: Isolations, footwork patterns, body rolls, and intricate hand gestures are staples of the hip-hop dance form. Agility, strength, and creativity are the qualities coveted by hip-hop performers. Dancers often incorporate graffiti and DJing into their performances.

Conclusion  

Dance encapsulates the diversity and richness of humanity. An integral part of cultures all over the world, dance is an ideal medium of emoting and storytelling. It is freeing and provides countless opportunities for artistic expression. It is no wonder that there is a dance form out there for everyone.

Sources

• https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17289
• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zKW1PAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2023/11/11/jazz-continuum-barnes-kennedy-center/
• https://www.contemporary-dance.org/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20100220020010/http://www.daveyd.com/historyphysicalgrafittifabel.html

Related Insights

“There are countless forms of dance, often dictated by the times. Its roots can be traced to rites of religious significance and performative forms such as ballet or modern dance. In popular gatherings, dance reflects the social environment of its era. Because dance music often targets younger audiences, the forms of dance in different eras mirror what appeals most to youth culture—from 1950s rock and roll to 1970s disco to the 1990s house music scene. However, dance remains a universal language that transcends age.”

Contributed by Joseph Pastrana, Author of “Mirrorball – Reflections of Dance and Fashion” and “Homespun – True Tales of Tweed”

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