DANCE YOUR WAY TO HEALTH ON THIS INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY | DR. GEETANJALI PAREEK

 

"While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. This is why I dance." - Hans Bos

Stunning and well said by Hans Bos, it is actually the essence of Dance. Dance actually make one forget about all the worldly worries and tension and is truly cathartic. So on this International Dance Day lets learn more about it and how it affects ones well being.   

 

History of International Dance Day:

International Dance Day was created in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), UNESCO's main partner for performing arts. It was first celebrated on April 29, 1982 to mark the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet. Since then, International Dance Day is being observed annually to celebrate the art form.

Every year, since its creation in 1982, an outstanding dance personality is selected to write a message for International Dance Day. The day strives to encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals held on the date all over the world. UNESCO formally recognizes ITI to be the creators and organizers of the event.

The day aims to raise awareness about the benefits of dance and bring people together through it.

 

Significance of International Dance Day:

Shaking a leg to your favourite music is not only pleasurable but can have a number of health benefits. Dance can serve as a form of workout and help you get fit and in good health. Dancing regularly may also improve your memory and help cleanse away stress and anxiety and fight symptoms of depression.

Dance can be a powerful tool to express yourself or just a way to enjoy. It can also serve as a physical exercise or therapy for some people. International Dance Day highlights these qualities of dance and encourages people to celebrate it.

The day aims to raise awareness about the benefits of dance.

 

So what actually is Dance?

Dance is a type of art that generally involves movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, performed in many different cultures and used as a form of expression, social interaction and exercise or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

Dance is as a form of nonverbal communication between humans, and is also performed by other animals like bee dance. Gymnastics, figure skating and synchronized swimming are sports that incorporate dance, while martial arts kata are often compared to dances.

 

What is the full name of DANCE?

The Full Form of DANCE is Discipline Attitude New Confidence Expression.

When did Dance originate in India?

In Hindu mythology, dance is believed to have been conceived by Brahma. Brahma inspired the sage Bharata Muni to write the Natya Shastra, a treatise on performing arts, from which a codified practice of dance and drama emerged. He used pathya (words) from the Rigveda, abhinaya (gestures) from the Yajurveda, geet (music) from the Samaveda and rasa (emotions) from the Atharvaveda to form the Natyaveda (body of knowledge about dance).

The best-known of Hindu deities-Shiva, Kali and Krishna-are typically represented dancing. Shiva's cosmic dance, tandava, Kali's dance of creation and destruction and Krishna's dance with the gopikas (cow-herd girls)-Rasa Lila-are popular motifs in Hindu mythology.

In ancient India, there were no dedicated auditorium halls or theaters, and dance was usually a functional activity dedicated to worship, entertainment or leisure. Dancers usually performed in temples, on festive occasions and seasonal harvests. Dance was performed on a regular basis before deities as a form of worship. Even in modern India, deities are invoked through religious folk dance forms from ancient times. Classical dance forms such as Bharata Natyam use mudras or hand gestures also to retell episodes of mythological tales such as the slaying of Kaliya by Krishna.

Gradually dancers, particularly from South India, moved from temples to houses of royal families where they performed exclusively for royalty.

India offers a number of classical Indian dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Classical and folk dance forms also emerged from Indian traditions, epics and mythology. There are many Indian folk dances such as Bhangra, Bihu, Ghumura Dance, Sambalpuri, Chhau and Garba and special dances observed in regional festivals such as Lohri and Navratri.

 

Who is considered to be Lord of Dance?

Nataraja (also known as Nataraj) is the dancing form of Shiva according to Hindu mythology. He's known as the King of Dance or Lord of Dance because when he's in this form he does his cosmic dance to destroy the universe to prepare Brahma to create the universe anew.

 

Who are the Best dancers of all time?

Determining the “best” dancers in the world is subjective, as dance is a diverse and evolving art form with many styles. However, certain individuals have left a permanent impression on the global dance community. Dancers, such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, often considered one of the greatest ballet dancers, energized the stage with unmatched grace and skill. Martha Graham revolutionized contemporary dance with her innovative techniques. Michael Jackson, a pop icon, showcased unparalleled creativity and precision in his performances. Such dancers have not only mastered various dance genres but have also influenced and inspired generations of artists.

 

Legendary Dancers across eras:

1.      Michael Jackson

2.      Mikhail Baryshnikov

3.      Madonna

4.      Shakira

5.      Michael Flatley

6.      Joaquin Cortez

7.      Martha Graham

8.      Misty Copeland

9.      Prabhu Deva

10.    Rudolf Nuyerev

 

So now what are the Mental Benefits of Dance:

According to Smitha Bhandari, (2024), Beyond just movements and music, dancing offers many benefits for mental health and brain function. Dancing offers plenty of benefits for your emotions, intelligence, and relationships. Learning and practicing dance can:

1.    Improve self-esteem. The amount that you respect and value yourself is your self-esteem. Showing yourself that you can learn and master new moves and skills through dance can improve your self-esteem and confidence.

2.    Help you meet new people. Social interaction between groups of people is important to your mental well-being. Talking and spending time with others improves your mood. It also makes you feel like you belong and eases loneliness.

3.    Improve your mood and attitude. Dancing can improve your mood while you learn, move, and perform. In fact, many people take dance classes because they put them in a good mood.

4.    Ease depression and anxiety. Dance is an effective type of exercise that raises your heart rate and works your muscles. Exercise can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety by releasing certain chemicals in your brain. It also provides a way to escape repetitive negative thoughts and worries. These are thoughts that run through your mind over and over.

5.    Protect your memory. As we age, it gets harder to remember names, places, and other details. Learning new things, like different moves and styles of dance, sharpens your brain’s ability to remember these kinds of details.  This can help prevent dementia.

   

   The mental advantages of dancing depend on the type of dance you learn. Styles like ballroom dancing require a large degree of improvisation. These improve your decision-making skills more than completely memorized movements and routines. On the other hand, interpretive modern dance styles offer more benefits for creativity.

 

In the end I would like to quote - "Life is short and there will always be dirty dishes, so let's dance." - James Howe

 

References:

 

·         Nataraja the King of Dance: Paperback – Import, 25 July 2015

·         WebMD Editorial Contributors Medically Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on February 25, 2024