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Art of dancing- 29-Dec-2009
Dances that reflect the Indian tradition and culture cannot be separated from the heart and mind of the people.
Apart from providing amazing picture about the importance that ancestors gave for dance, the ancient historical manuscripts also reveal the woman folk who dedicated themselves for dance, the kings who encouraged the art form of dance and makes us marvel over the reverence ancestors gave for such elite art form.
Our ancestors have showed us through Vedic literature and mythological stories that the art form of dance, apart from influencing the people it has also influenced gods.
People in groups as well as individuals have been carrying out the work of giving life to dance movements that dominates a man from the time of birth until his death.
Each state has formed its own traditional dance form with its own uniqueness, staged across the world baffling several spectators. Efforts are going on to make the people of all standards understand traditional value of dance.
Bharatha Natyam, that speaks volumes about the people of Tamil Nadu; Odissi of Orrissa that makes everyone turn around; Kathakalli of Kerala, Kuchipudi of Andhra that makes everyone literally dance; Kathak that encompasses all the features of dance. Several of these dance features have captivated the hearts of many people living in various parts of the nation.
Likewise, having a definite style for the dance from every state, the people of the state have formulated the dance based on the countryside folk songs.
Due to the power of media in the recent days, the number of dance artists has increased and several dance schools have sprung up. Persons involved in dance should have qualities like good physical features, training and good facial expression that synchronizes with the music. Majority of the woman join dance classes right from their childhood to develop their skills.
Persons opting to take up dance as their profession can get good income by displaying their talents and skills in cultural groups and cinema units.
Parents can enroll their children in the traditional Gurukul schools, that are established exclusively meant for dance and obtain training. Most of these schools appoint fulltime dance tutors for this purpose. Apart from this, separate schools and colleges are available to obtain dance training.
Details of dance institutions are given below:
Kathak Kendra, Bagalpur House, Bhagvandass Road, New Delhi 110 001
Part time 4- year foundation course for the age group between 9 to 14.
Part time 3-year diploma course for the age group between 13 to 22.
3-year diploma (Honors) course for the age group between for the age group between 16 to 24
2-year post diploma course for the age group between 19 to 26.
Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, D.M College Road, Impal, Manipur- 795 001.
3-year foundation course for children between the age of 10 to 14.
3-year diploma course for children between the age of 14 to 18.
3-year Post diploma course.
Kalashethra foundation, Rukumeni Devi College of fine arts, Thiruvanmyur, Chennai- 600 041
Diploma course in Bharatha Natyam / Eligibility- Pass in 10th standard / Age: Below 20 years of age.
2- year post diploma.
Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Plot A-7/1 Jvpd Scheme, Juhu Vile Parle, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049. Ph: 022 2620 6326
It conducts evening classes for school going children for 7 years. This centre provides Prambika Awards for those children who do well in the first four years and Govidha Awards for those children who perform well in the next 3 years.
Bachelor of fine arts (Dance) 5-year course
Master of fine arts (Dance) 2-year course
PhD (Dance)
Bharatha Natyam, Mohini Attam, Kathkali dances are taught in Nalanda Dance Research Centre.
Vishwabharathi Sangeetha Bhavanam, (Institute of Indian Music and Dance), Shanthi Neekatan 731 235
4-year degree course (Manipuri dance, Kathakalli dance)
2-year degree course- Persons with diploma or certificate in dance are only eligible to apply)
Ravindra Bharathi University, Emerald Power Campus, 56/A, B.T Road, Kolkotta
B.A (Honors)
M.A (Dance)
Indira Kala Sangeetha Vishwa Vidyalaya, Khairagargh, Rajnandgaon, Madya Pradesh- 491 881
Separate classes are taken those persons having completed plus two.
3-year diploma training in Kathak, Odissi is provided.
School of Fine Arts, Potti Sreeremulu Telugu University Lalithakala Kshetram, Saroobagh, Public Gardens, Nampally Hyderabad 500004, Andhra Pradesh
B.A., M.A in Kuchupudi Dance
Sri Sankaracharaya University of Sanskrit, Sir Sankapuram, Kalady, Kerala 683 574
Foundation course in dance for those having completed SSLC.
3-year BA degree course
Sri Ram Bharthya Kala Kendra, Colleges of Music and Dance, New Delhi 110 001
Diploma, PG diploma in Kathak, Bharatha Natyam, Oddisi
Very few dance experts are popular and famous. Tutors cannot expect a lucrative income teaching dance. As for as this art is concerned, only those having involvement and dedication can do well.
A person can do well in the art of dance within a period of time. They can get some income by teaching to the children close to their house. Those taking dance as a full time can join as tutors in dance schools or become a dance master for the artists in cinema to make good money.
