Dance is a form of art that is expressed in form of movements of body parts in different direction. It also gave us knowledge about the movement of muscles. Dance originated from India and Egypt around 3300BC. At first it was performed in order to express, communicate and build a bond during the hard times. It was usually performed during the rituals, warfare, ceremonies and delightful times too.
Historical Implications
Historical dance was also divided in four parts namely Baroque dance, medieval dance, Regency dance and Renaissance dance. In Brazilian rainforest to Kalahari Desert dance is a method to heal people due to which people danced for long hours. This caused death due to exhaustion. The evidence of dance was found on the caves where either they were carved or been painted. After the hunting also they used to do bonfire around which they used to dance in joy.
This evidence was first found in India. Natraj was entitled as the God of Dance. The walls of ancient caves were carved with portrait of hunting, religious rites been performed, burial and most importantly with dance. No artefact can corroborate that dance being performed in old times. So scientist started looking for other clues which will support the fact of dance been performed. Scientists started looking for writings, carvings and paintings in the wall as well as caves where the people used to spend their lifetime.
Dance in Africa
First Africans continued and escalated it in all four parts of the world. Ceremonial dance are of different types which includes Haka, Kagura, Sacred DANCE, Cham dance, Drametse Ngacham, Kumha Pyakhan Dance, Rejang dance, Sufi Whirling and Worship Dance. Belly Dance is referred as the oldest form of dance that was brought up 6000 years ago. This form of dance was performed in negative connotation and in a seductive manner.
Egyptians first started dancing during the religious rites. It is still impossible for the paintings to survive the tooth of time. Instruments were started to played while dancing in Egypt which used to mimic important events been performed at that point of time. Cha-Cha is a form of dance originated in Cuba. Egyptians god who was worshipped in form of dance is Dionysus and Bacchus.
Egyptians girls were compelled to dance in the crowd. Then dance slowly moved towards Greece, where it was been performed in public. At first in Greece it took place before the start of Olympic Games. Celebrations were there in the honour of Greek god and goddess where dance played a crucial part.
Dance in India
In India, a new form of dance started which is known as “Bharat Natyam”. Lion dance was another form of dancing which was performed in china in religious and ceremonial events which was thought that it brought good fortune and kept away evil spirit. In early medieval world dance was a way to celebrate, entertain, seduce and express excitement.
In the start of renaissance, Ballet became an important part, which was being performed by wealthy part of the society. Due to this new form of music and fashion was also being brought up, which were used in dance at that time. Renaissance dancing surpassed one of the most popular forms of dancing in France and England, which is “Baroque Dance”.
In Hindu Musical Theatre, there are different forms of Indian classical like bharatanatyam dance (Tamil Nadu), Kathak-Uttar Pradesh, Kuchipudi-Andhra Pradesh, Odissi-Odisha, Kathakali-Kerala, Sattriya-Assam, Manipuri-Manipur and Mohiniyattam-Kerala. These dances are grouped according to their region. In the recent times Bollywood has also moved ahead to become a dance form on its own. And, many fusion dance forms have also made their way into the limelight. A clever mix of western moves and Indian culture makes available for a great moves.
French Revolution
After French revolution many different types of dance forms were introduced. In 1844, Waltz form of dance was introduced which is a very energetic form of dance. This form of dance first came into light during International Polka. After that another form of dancing which was found in France was introduced, this was ballroom dancing.
Dance in 20th Century
In 20th century new forms of dancing came like Foxtrot, One Step, Tango, Swing, Hip Hop and many more. Until now thirty thousand dancers are employed in UK. Hip Hop started during the time of Clive Campbell a.k.a Kool DJ Herc who is also known as the Father of hip hop. He came to New York for Jamaica to bring Hip Hop to USA. Bollywood dance gain popularity during this period. This form includes many other forms inculcated in it like Classical, Hip Hop and many more.
Different styles of dance have been introduced like Contemporary (form of dance that connect the mind and the body with dance movements), Ballet (known as the backbone of dance which require a lot of diligence and unique technique with proper dedication towards this), Jazz (fully energetic which include a lot of quick movements and leaps), Tap (majority focus on the shoes of the dancer), Hip Hop (energetic form of dance which is also known for break dancing) and many more.
Nowadays street dancing is also gaining popularity day by day. This form of dancing also include a lot of subforms like Break dancing, Cabbage Patch dance, Cat daddy, Dougie, electric boogaloo, Gangsta walking, Harlem Shake, Jerkin, Locking, Popping, Turfing and Uprock.
Underrated Dance forms
Other unknown form of dancing includes Acro Dancing (precise use of acrobatics elements in dancing), Calypso (includes the afro-Caribbean music which is highly rhythmic), Fire Dancing (it involves the manipulation of fire which includes juggling, baton, poi spinning), Flamenco (strictest form of Spanish dance originated in 1744), Liturgical Dance (dance which is dedicated in form of worship) and pole dance (performed on a vertical pole with the combination of dance and acrobatics).
Dancers of the recent times who have earned good amount of fame
Some of the dancers made dance as a profession carried their skill in different platforms. Some of the greatest dancers include Mikhail Baryshnikov, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Shakira, Hrithik Roshan, Martha Graham, Joaquin Cortes, Rudolf Nureyev, Prabhudeva and many more. With many new and upcoming dance sensations coming up in the recent times, the dance pool seems to be more fun.