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CLASSIFICATION OF DANCE
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Dance is a form of art that is made by purposefully recreating selected
sequences of human motion, which can be imbued with the values of aesthetic and
symbolism that are acknowledged by both performers and observers from within the
particular culture. The dance itself can be freeform or can have a predefined
choreography that may or may not align with traditions of origin or historical period.
The dance can be performed to serve various functions (social, competitive,
ceremonial, martial, erotic…) but it also has two distinct forms – theatrical dance in
which dancers perform for an audience, and participatory social dance where dancing in
a group is encouraged to anyone. Participatory dances are most commonly found at
weddings, social gatherings, and festivals, and they can be enjoyed with folk music both
alone or in a group (pairs, lines, chains or other forms).
Theatrical dance is known for having more elaborate choreography, planning,
costume, scenery and other elements that make the entire production feel more
professional. The performers of theatrical dance are usually professional “ virtuoso
dancers”, who practice their craft over the years, and are often tasked to interpret the
musical accompaniment with advanced dance moves or routines.
The dance has always been with us, even before the arrival of written
language and modern history, when our earliest cultures evolved utilizing oral and
performance methods to pass the stories from one generation to the next. Many
historians believe that social, celebratory and ritual dances are one of the essential
factors of the development of early human civilizations.
The earliest findings have pinpointed the origins of ancient dances in 9000-year-
old India or 5300-year-old Egypt, but the records more common infusion of dance into a
modern culture can be found from Ancient Greece, China, and India. All these old
dances evolved, eventually morphing into a wide variety of Roman and European
medieval dances, traditional Chinese dances, Hindi and other traditional dances,
respectively.
After the arrival of European Renaissance, the history of music and dance
exploded with the new additions to song and dance. Ease of travel and immigration to
the new world brought these dances into the mix with many native cultures of the New
World, forging countless new dance types that are still popular to this day.
History of Dance
Dance as ritual
In most ancient civilizations, dancing before the god is an important element in
temple ritual. In Egypt the priests and priestesses, accompanied by harps and pipes,
perform stately movements which mime significant events in the story of a god, or
imitate cosmic patterns such as the rhythm of night and day.
At Egyptian funerals, women dance to express the grief of the mourners. Sacred
occasions in Greek shrines, such as the games at Olympia from the 8th century BC, are
inaugurated with dancing by the temple virgins. The choros is originally just such a
dance, performed in a circle in honour of a god. In the 6th century it becomes the
centrepiece of Greek theatre. In India the formalized hand movements of the
priestesses in Hindu temples are described in documents from as early as the 1st
century AD. Each precise gesture is of subtle significance. A form of classical dance
based upon them - known as Bharata Nhatyam - is still performed by highly skilled
practitioners today.
Dance as ecstasy
Any sufficiently uninhibited society knows that frantic dancing, in a mood
heightened by pounding rhythm and flowing alcohol, will set the pulse racing and induce
a mood of frenzied exhilaration. This is exemplified in the Dionysiac dances of ancient
Greece. Villagers, after harvesting the grapes, celebrate the occasion with a drunken
orgy in honour of Dionysus, god of wine (whose Roman name is Bacchus). Their
stomping makes a favourite scene on Greek vases; and dancing women of this kind,
whose frenzy even sweeps them into an act of murder, are immortalized in a tragedy,
the Bacchae, by Euripides.
Short of this unfortunate extreme, all social dances promise the same desirable
mood of release and excitement.
Ballroom Dances
These dances started appearing first in Italy, during the early years of
Renaissance. Popularity of this kind of entertainment quickly swept over the Europe,
United States and the World. Although many other simpler and more easily preformed
types of dances caused the ballroom dances to lose some of their influence, modern
worldwide dancing audience started resurrecting these immortal dances in ever
increasing pace.
Waltz- This graceful and slow two person dance was first introduced in mid-19th
century and was greatly popularized by the music of the famous composer
Johann Strauss. Today this dance represents gold standard and the most
famous dance of the ballrooms around the world.
Viennese Waltz - Original form of waltz, first performed at the Italian courts is
today remembered as Viennese Waltz. It differs from the much more famous
"English Slow Waltz" by having much faster 180 beats per minute and was the
first who introduced "closed hold" between performers.
Tango - Originally created in the Argentinean region of Rio de la Plata, this
dance is today known by many of its variations (Argentine tango, Uruguayan
tango, Finish Tango and two types of Ballroom tangos - standard and American)
and the fascinating sensual and energetic style.
Cha-Cha-Cha - This incredibly rhythmic dance created in Latin America
managed to meld together both the slow and very energetic movements, making
it an instant hit among the dancers around the world.
Rumba - Popularity of this Cuban dance came from its focus on sensual hip
movements of dance partners. Since its creation in 1930s many types of Rumba
were created, most notably Cuban Rumba (with the style of the African slaves
which created it), Catalan Rumba (with Spanish flavor), Flamenco Rumba and
African Rumba.
Samba - Samba is a famous dance and musical genre that originated form the
coast of Africa and land of Brazil. Today infectious rhythm of Samba is regarded
as the national dance of Brazil, and its famous Brazilian Carnival gathers millions
Samba dance fans every year.
Mambo - This Cuban dance that accompanies the music of the same name was
introduced in 1930s, and quickly managed to gain popularity with the exploits of
famous musicians and dancers such as Perez Prado, Benny Moré, Tongolele,
Adalberto Martínez, Rosa Carmina and Lilia Prado.
Quickstep - Light-hearted and fast movement, powerful forms and syncopations,
represent the core style characteristics of the Quickstep, one of the most popular
ballroom dances today in the world. Originally developed in the 1920s dance
scene of New York and the Caribbean, as the combination of the dances such as
Charleston, a slow variation of Foxtrot, Peabody, shag, and one-step. The
smooth and glamorous version of quickstep that is danced today across the
world to 4/4 music beat of 48-52 measures per minute was standardized in 1927.
Jive - Jive is one of the five most popular Latin dances and is also known under
the names of swing, boogie or boogie-woogie. It is considered to be one of the
liveliest of all Latin dances, promoting the happy and bloopy type of
performances, with lots of knee movement and hip rocking. Its official ballroom
jive variation that is commonly danced at a speed of 176 beats per minute was
formalized in the 1990s.
Bolero - Bolero is an Argentine dance, but it also has different international
variations of the same name coming from Cuba and Spain. Today’s popular
ballroom version of this dance is based on the Cuban bolero, and it is also known
under the name “rumba”. This 2/4 or 4/4 music with a tempo of around 120 beats
per minute that is well known all around the world.
Modern Dances
Advancements in music technology brought the birth of many new types of
dances. Introduction of electronic and rock music brought the era of House, Punk, Rave
and Disco dance. Faraway country of India did not cared much for those styles, and in
accordance to the deeply seeded religious beliefs, they incorporated dance of their gods
to everyday life and was and profitable Bollywood movie scene.
House dance - After the years of popularity of Disco, the genre of House music
and house dance became born in New York and Chicago clubs. Built on top of
subtler rhythms, riffs of the music and influences of jazz, Latin, soul, funk, R&B,
and many other music styles, this social dance quickly found its way into homes
and clubs across the entire world.
Punk dance - Born as an extension of 1960s garage rock, the punk rock
managed to attract fans who enjoyed not traditional social dances of before, but
more energetic and sometimes violent dance style of moshing (sometimes called
slam-dancing) and headbanging. This dance styles were characterized by the
strong and full body contact of live band audience, with frequent bumping and
jostling both alone and in groups.
Rave dance - Fueled by the unending focus on pulsating beats, loud volume and
psychedelic music effects, dancers of rave music are free to create their freestyle
of movements, with no rules about dance routines or synchronized moves,
usually in dark and crowded venues of dance clubs, nightclubs, and festivals.
Dancers are encouraged to find inspiration in music, other people, and their
mood.
Disco dance - The popular disco music genre of the 1970s would not found such
popularity if it was not so easy to dance with. Fans of this music often wore
extravagant and sexy clothing while dancing free form or structured versions of
various disco dances, such as Bump, (several variations of) Hustle, Robot,
Boogaloo, Watergate, and others.
Bollywood dance - The cultural history of India and the rest of southern Asia
would not remain the same without the strong influence of Bollywood movie
industry which has promoted Hindi dance music to the world. Created as the mix
of traditional Indian music, Hindi dance traditions of the Indian sub-continent, and
Middle-Eastern techniques, Bollywood dance is characterized by elaborate
choreographies, energetic movements, and dances that involve a large number
of participants.
References
Dance Facts. Types of dance-categories. Retrieved from
http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-types/types-of-dances/
History World. History of the dance. Retrieved January 26, 2020 from
www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ab82