Nuances of creative dance forms

Subashini PATHMANATHAN

Choreography is a unique art. In any dance form, whether it is a classical dance or a folk dance or a creative dance, choreography is an exceptional talent of the concerned artiste. Not all performing artistes are good choreographers. To be a successful choreographer, one has to have a long association with the art. The artiste is supposed to have a deep and intense involvement with the dance. In any dance form, the choreographer must have a wide practical experience, and total dedication to the selective dance form.

The present creative dance choreographers must be in a position to estimate the moods of the audience, and try to reflect the moods in their production. By knowing the moods of the audience, and the present atmosphere, the creative dance choreographers will be able to choreograph the programme in such a manner so that it attracts the audience. In classical dance forms the choreographers, must stick to certain norms. Generally any dance choreographer must have a through knowledge of thala (rhythm), degree of speed or tempo and Laya (the balance of thala and tempo).

The creative dance choreographers must know the technique of how to interweave the steps with the body movements and with the appropriate foot positions. Besides these, they must have the ability to coordinate the graceful hand movements with the rhythmic foot work. A successful choreographer should have the ability to weave different poses together, with appropriate dances and should be able to synthesize the Thala, Kala and Laya with the accompaniments.

Even a creative dance choreographer must have wide experience and deep knowledge in traditional dance forms. Moreover even for a creative dance, vigorous practice is essential. However, modern creativity dance choreographers try to make their dance performances a success by using numerous outside tactics. They make self-designed costumes, with attractive colour combinations and adapt their own idealistic ways of hairdressing. They also wear modern and fancy ornaments which do not have any special name or meaning like the tradition dance ornaments.

To make the show a bigger success, they enhance the melodious musical effect. The choreographers adopt effective, impressive, and heartwarming music. Instead of vocal music, instrumental music is also very often used. Sometimes the sound effects must go along with the dance movements without revealing any particular meaning. The stage is decorated with the choreographer’s imaginative and idealistic way.

Designing the costumes for creative dance forms is another exceptional talent of the choreographers. They normally borrow the ideas from the ancient paintings and sculptures. But such costumes adapted into present creative dances sometimes seem vulgar. The ancient sculptors, painters and artists base their exceptional skill, and imaginative creativity in their own selective art forms. Such costumes in any dance, particularly in the modern era in oriental culture, would not be accepted by the majority.