Beat The Lockdown Blues And Shake A Leg On International Dance Day

April 29th is International Dance Day, and it is globally observed as the day to celebrate all the different forms of this art.

Graphic of various dance forms in India tweeted by Mumbai Congress.

New Delhi: April 29^th is International Dance Day, and it is globally observed as the day to celebrate all the different forms of this art. It is celebrated in honour of the 19th century, French dancer, Jean-Georges Noverre. Indian culture is steeped in the tradition of dance. In fact, dance combined with drama is an essential part of Indian tradition that is prevalent across the country. From folk forms such as Chhau to classical traditions such as Kathakali, a dance drama is an important form of storytelling in India. Dance is not just supposed to entertain but to evoke rasa or essence or taste that can only be derived when one witnesses 'Natya' (dance) or any other form of art. One of the earliest treatises of dance and drama is the Sanskrit text Natya Shastra which is usually attributed to the sage Bharata. The text elaborates on the theory of rasa and how the dancer-actor using ‘bhava’ or an emotional state should be able to make the audience experience rasa in the audience.

Almost every community in India has at least one form of dance that talks about that community. Dance is known to be one of those art forms which can cross all political, cultural, and ethnic barriers, and bring people together. While all the celebrations had to be halted due to the Coronavirus, dancers around the world are performing online, to keep the spirit of dance alive even during this difficult time. The famous dance academy Shaimak, is giving free online classes all through today to celebrate the special day. Frontline workers such as doctors and nurses across the country who are battling the coronavirus and have grueling work shifts are using dance to destress.