CONTEMPORARY DANCE
- Feb 29, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 8, 2020
Contemporary lives into movement
One great way proven time after time to preserve and portray our connection to this world would be through dance and which dance form would be the most competent at showing us the sensitivity that is needed to appreciate the little things, other than contemporary dance.
With a wide variety of styles, contemporary dance has become well known in the performing arts world especially since the mid twentieth century. Encompassing countries and languages, it has touched millions of souls across the globe. The nature of the world we live in today nearly necessitates fusion - of distinct styles or ideas that are not necessarily similar, to create a unique form of identity.
Characterised by illustration of song lyrics, intricate hand movements, visualising the story using the body.
From Indian rock music or mixing western rap styles with folk music, this ideology is not alien to the dance world. A very prominent style in contemporary dance is the lyrical form of expression. Lyrical has been described as a "pseudostyle" because it utilises steps from other, more established styles of dance.
Characterised by illustration of song lyrics, intricate hand movements, visualising the
story using the body, it’s ability to display clear emotion with choreographic strategy and, in the group form a stunning unison has cemented its position in the dance world as a widely cultivated style. Bengaluru hosts an assortment of dance houses and studios that teach contemporary dance and its different styles, many choreographers from around the world also come in to teach classes or workshops.
Here we have two dancers who perform exclusively in the contemporary style.
21-year-old Anwesha Roy, a final year journalism honours student at Christ University talks to us about her relationship with dance and how it has shaped her life since she was 6 years old. Trained in Bharatnatyam as a classical form and indulging in freestyle and Bollywood dance styles alongside it. She started specialising in the contemporary style when she joined university.
Contemporary dance is about depicting emotion through movement.
For Anwesha, Contemporary Dance is seen as a niche interest because it consists of stressed, fluid movements compared to widely popular sharp, on the beat movements of Bollywood dance, but ironically that’s the beauty of it, it becomes more about what you feel after watching a performance that matters rather than how sensational it is and by feeling the connection between the dancers, the audience can connect with you as a dancer. Dance, can act as therapy and it plays a huge part in how she de-stresses from deadlines and other coursework, it provides a way of escape.
Hailing from Mount Carmel College, Himani Bajaj, a final year Arts student, tells us how she started her journey with dance. Inspired by a reality show ’Dance India Dance’, she started with free styling in her high school days. Having no formal education on dance, she learnt her moves from YouTube and television shows. She found dance a growing interest as she performed on stage in school and received a marvellous response, motivating her to develop her skill set. Finding her calling in the lyrical contemporary style, she continues to dance to this day.
"Lyrical literally means dancing and expressing the lyrics of the song. Since I've been a bit of introvert from childhood, my way of expressing was dance."
The lyrical style has been very close to her soul because it essentially depicts the lyrics and mood of the song through dance and being a introverted child, this way of expression helped her open up and make it easier to emote feelings in the outside world. By picking up every word of the lyrics and making it into a dance step, she created her own method of exhibiting the dance form.
It's a form of expression that helps heal the body and mind, It's an art and art always helps us heal. Because of this, Himani stated that she started respecting everyone's talent, be it dance, painting, singing or any other form, realising how everyone has a different story, and how creative people can get.
As the dance form gains momentum, especially in Bengaluru with many dance festivals that solely focus on this style, and increasing popularity with the youth, this brings attention and appreciation for contemporary dancers from around the country.
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