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| Thursday, 25 March 2004 |
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Flamenco is castanets and fiery passion by Gwen Herat Gypsies are known for the fiery passion when they dance whether or not from Spain or anywhere else. Flamenco is a word originating from the gypsies of Seville as well as their folk dances from Alegrias, Soleares, Bulerias and many other cities. They also excel in the tango and Zambra and maintain very high Moorish and arabian influence.
The Tango became very popular on dance floors. In Central America the Tango is danced in slow 2/4 time with a dotted rhythm. Many features of the habanera and bolero gradually crystallized into the present ballroom dancing after it was brought by slaves to Argentina and Uruguay. Tango has found its way into ballet and appeared prominantly in Ashton's ballet, FACADE. Van Menen also produced and choreographed 5 TANGOS while Araz's full length ballet TANGO was mounted in 1981. Flamenco was originally danced to the accompaniment of songs and clapping of hands. years later the guitar dominated the rhythms for the flamenco and still later castanets were introduced. Thus, the dance picked up an identity that was to last. However, there is always a fixed rhythm in which variations and new steps are evolved. Its vigour and passion arise from the contrast of fixed rules and identity. Costumes play a major role in the flamenco and worn by vivacious dancers, it holds its own majesty among any dance form. Long tapering and tight fitting dresses that flare out from below the knees into layers and layers of multicoloured frills are depended upon by the female dancers to reach the climax. No dance dress is as colourful as the ones worn by Spanish and flamenco dancers. The interpretation of flamenco dancing must possess 'duende' the demon who inspires him to grip the audience. These are some of the gypsy hallmarks still retained in the flamenco. Danced to vibrant and loud music that is exotic and fascinating, the dance has gone throught many phases and one you see today is gorgeous, vivacious and very often the males too being dominant and impressive. The Dance of the Matadors too are impressive in the flamenco as well as the Spanish with both dance beats keeping the rhythm and beat produced mainly by the castanets. Spain very rich in her traditional dance forms that include the flamenco among others, have no classical ballet companies and while the rest of the European countries have lost its suspicion of the prejudice for ballet, Spain still consider it a suspect profession. Spain has all the reason to behave in this manner because in the days gone by, Spain always considered that professional dancers were promiscuous and were socially condemned. Any girl who took to dancing, was considered an outcast. It was impossible for a well bred girl to go on stage and it applied to young men too. However with social changes, dancing found a niche in the hearts of many and the bold ones, dared to experiment. While dancing came into groups, it was considered and associated with poverty. In short, they danced primarily for a living. This helped dance to take shape for whatever the reason was. However, with time, different forms of dance that were identical to the people of Spain, blossomed out. Flamenco with its passionate swing and strong manipulation of erect physiques, caught the imagination of the people, especially in Catalonia and Barcelona. Madrid embraced it with joy and young girls were seen dancing in public. The flamenco was born and the Spanish guarded it with passion, improving on its rhythm and steps that led to what we see today. No Western influence was introduced and when a Spanish dancer is seen on stage in any part of the world, she is identified as the sole representative of her country. The dresses remain the same in the arabesque of colour and the male partners, arrogant and brisk in their movement, support the lovely Spanish girls. Still later, ballets too came under the scoring of famous Spanish composer, Manuel de Falla. |
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