International Dance Day – Celebrating Dance, a Personal Journey

The 29th of April is the time to get on your feet, groove, sway, and dance around, for yes, it is International Dance Day! Dancing is a universal art form performed by humans everywhere, whether a tribal in the forest or a professional in the cosmopolitan city. The inception of International Dance Day was by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for performing arts of UNESCO, in the year 1982, to promote dance across the globe. The day is dedicated to the global celebration of dance, one of the most expressive art forms that goes beyond geographical, cultural, and language barriers. Every year an outstanding dancer or choreographer is selected to write a message to the dancing community. The event is conducted in a predetermined host city where educational workshops, dance performances, and speeches by dignitaries, are held to promote the diversity of dance, making it accessible to all. And it is dance, dance, and dance all around! On this day, dancers also aim to urge governments and institutions to promote dance and add it as a subject in all systematic education systems. 

The art of dancing may be more than 9000 years old, as evidenced by the ancient paintings found in India and Egypt. The date of 29th April has been selected as the International Dance Day to pay tribute to the famous French dancer and ballet master – the father of modern ballet – Jean Georges Noverre, on his birthday. 

Universal Language:

A dancer doesn’t need a language to communicate across any boundary. Dance has the immense power to unite people and act as a bridge connecting different cultures, imbibing mutual respect and understanding. Dance can narrate stories, convey emotions, and bring people closer, better than words. 

Diverse styles and forms:

The dance of each locale reflects the cultural heritage and traditions of the natives of the place. Major dance forms vary as per the variations in body movements and expression of emotions in tune to the respective music – the classical graceful ballet differs from the rhythmic beats of hip-hop, the lively display of salsa, the intrinsic footwork of Kathak and the sophisticated vocabulary of Bharathanatyam. 

My personal experience of dance:

From the tender age of five or six, the intricate steps of Bharatanatyam have been a part of my life. I have always been guided by my amma’s profound admiration for this classical dance form. Her dedication fueled a passion in me to pursue the art.

My initial encounter with Bharatanatyam was less about my own choice and more about my mother’s vision. Her enthusiasm for the dance was contagious. She took pains to ensure I received proper training, traveling long distances by buses and facing daily inconveniences so I could learn from the best. Her encouragement (she was actually forcing me, truth be told) made me practice daily.

There was an interesting incident that occurred during my school years when I performed despite severe pain from a glass injury in my toe. The determination to dance through the discomfort not only earned accolades from my principal but also instilled in me a profound lesson in perseverance and resilience.

I began performing on stage by third grade, consistently securing first prizes in Bharatanatyam at school competitions, and later achieving top honors in Mohiniyattom and Kuchipudi as well. These accolades were not confined to school alone; district and college levels also saw me winning prizes. Though I didn’t look forward to competitions, they somehow became a part of my pursuit of dance.

The journeys of renowned dancers like Rajasree Warrier and Priyadarsini Govind inspire my path and hope, enriching my dance.

Beyond the stage, Bharatanatyam has enriched my life in unexpected ways. It honed my discipline and focus, which translated into academic excellence and professional respect. Dancing rejuvenates my mind, especially after joining a demanding career in banking. My stress and fatigue just dissolve into rhythm and motion. A performance at the State Bank of India’s corporate function two years ago brought direct appreciation from the bank’s chairman, illustrating how dance can bridge personal passion with professional environments.

I dream of being chosen as the dancer of the year on an upcoming International Dance Day, to herald the profound impact of dance on personal and community well-being. Enough about me, let’s come back to the significance of dance.

Significance:

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance! Yes, the young and the old, the flexible and the rigid, the man and the woman, the emotional and the logical – anybody can sway to the tune of music. Like I mentioned earlier, dance relieves one from mental stress, lets them lose their inhibitions, makes new connections, brings about peace and joy, and helps on improving one’s psychological and physical health. Dancing can be a tool for education, therapy, and social justice. Once you start swaying to music, I bet you can never stop yourself. So what are we waiting for? This year let’s not restrict our celebration of dance to just one day. Let’s hit the dance floor, the streets, or the quietude of our homes; be comfortable – and celebrate DANCE! Dance, not just for the joy of it, but to feel the profound power to express oneself where words fail…

-Arya Gayathri is the manager at SBI, a passionate writer, national-level merit scholar, and Bharatanatyam dancer, weaving stories and rhythm into her journey.