What is contemporary dance?
Subashini PATHMANATHAN
Contemporary dance form is the dance form which came into being at
the latter part of 20th century to face the modern demands of the
society. But in the real sense the terminology contemporary dance is
more or less not much acceptable or appropriate terminology to expound
the contemporary dance form.
Actually this dance form gives more room for the self creativity for
the dancers by inserting their own numerous ideas into the dances in
numerous ways. Such dance forms existed not only in the present era,
this type of dance forms existed even in the past. So it is proper and
meaningful to name them as creativity dances, rather than calling these
dance forms as contemporary dances.
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Classical
dances are polished techniques |
Mainly most themes of the dances are generally based on numerous
topics including social and cultural factors. The aim of the
contemporary dance form is to attract maximum number of audience and
attract the maximum amount of common masses. It gives much more room for
the creativity. This type of dance forms has no proper musical base, or
any systematic rhythmic pattern or style.
These creativity dance forms derive the music base from the melodious
classical music, or from the traditional folk music or from the light
music. The steps, the body movements, the costumes, the makeup, and the
jewellery, for the contemporary dances, borrowed from the classical and
folk dances.
Even the classical dances and folk dances have certain norms, and
both provide equal opportunity for creativity, within the limited frame
work.
All the classical and folk dances have certain defined and clarified
items. Each item of the classical and Folk dances has their own well
defined order, and use certain selected ornaments, and designed costumes
and selective make up.
Similarly each and every classical and folk dance is based on certain
selective music. Some are accompanied with vocal music alone, and some
are only accompanied with instrumental music alone, and some more are
accompanied with vocal music and instrumental music together. Hence all
the classical and folk dances have rich historical background, and
longstanding historical development. Some of the folk dances are
practised only for certain festivals, and certain occasions by certain
caste or clan.
The classical (Margi) dance form which transcends the international
barriers and boundaries and acquires the international recognition.
These classical dances (Margi) are polished and specialized techniques.
Most oriental classical dances have spiritual and historical background
behind them.
All the classical dance forms were fostered in different regions, in
different countries for centuries together. These ancient dance forms
are a part of traditional heritages, and traditional culture. Above all,
the classical dance forms are totally based and linked with
spirituality, philosophy and religion.
But the present era contemporary dances or creativity dances are not
strictly adhere to any systematic mode. These dances are used for
entertainment purposes all over the world.
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