A perspective on Social Partner Dancing in India:
Social dancing is more liberal now compared to the past decades or so . More and more people are going the Latin and Ballroom dance way. Gradually its very evident that dancing socially is not taboo and even dancing in close hold need not be scorned on and that it might be perfectly alright if the two people dancing fabulously on the dance floor are not even a couple or friends , probably just acquaintances or even complete strangers to one another.
Dancing has become a popular hobby in India of late with more and more people attending various classes in order to stay in good shape and be healthy too.Earlier Ballroom dancing was mostly
non choreographed with a leader and a follower, nowadays people seem to relate to the competitive style of Ballroom and Latin dancing , which are more rigorous in terms of training and routines which are performance and show based. Romance, passion and having a good time are the other reasons than fitness , which draws many to learn all these partner dance forms .
For instance one gets hooked by the sleek, seductive passionate movements in a dance like the Tango , whether you are just viewing or dancing it. The striking costumes and sharp and staccato movements make it all the more alluring and fascinating enough to tempt anyone to learning it whatever the age. Actually a few good lessons is all it takes to realize the feeling of moving in perfect opposition and yet in total sync with each other.
If you are interested in learning to dance any of these international dance forms you must start by zeroing in on a style that would suit you and your attitude. It would be a good idea to buy some comfortable and stretchy clothes that you feel comfortable enough to be amongst people , invest in clothes which give freedom of movement. In case of Ballroom and Latin Dances it would be a good idea to check with your instructor as to the kind of shoe to wear as some teachers recommend a special kind of shoe for the particular style they are teaching. These are necessary as they are specifically designed to work best for the corresponding dance forms movement mechanics.
Personally after an overdose of media exposure of the dance styles in possibly every form and crowd pulling antics by the performers and the organizers, I have at many a times wondered if it was a partner dance or a circus show or even acrobatics with so many dangerous lifts thrown in that I feel I would prefer to watch a social dancer dancing impromptu with may be a perfect stranger and yet be able to relate , communicate and innovate beautifully through the non verbal language of dance ! This is after all the ultimate test for any dancer to create an artistic piece of work that draws out every nuance of learning and puts it to good use.
Social Dancing is actually is a fun way to bring together like minded people displaying artistically creative moves in the spur of the moment . After all excellence in dancing is the art of making it work for you the way you want it to when you want it to…..
Savvy Raj
savvy@danceconcepts.in
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