Dance **

** Only offered as minors.

“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” Shakespeare famously said. Today, that part is getting more and more important. As time runs in dizzy circles, performing arts have acquired a meaning like never before. The rapidly evolving global economy demands a dynamic and creative workforce. The arts and its related businesses are responsible for billions in cultural exports for India. In fact, arts and performance are a country’s heritage and its greatest currency. The world needs people who think with the creative side of their brains. It enhances symbiotic thinking capabilities, not always thinking in the same paradigm, learning how to kick-start a new idea, or how to get a job done better, less expensively. Only then are we prepared to play our parts better in this theatre of dreams called the world.

Dance education at FLAME challenges the existing practices of training in India, in order to offer a meaningful and relevant education to aspiring students at the undergraduate level. The specialisation is anchored in the philosophy of liberal education thereby pushing the boundaries of artistic practices. It enables students to understand and appreciate dance as an art form - as an human expression.

The Dance Minor concentrates on generating all round development of the student by offering an exposure to different Indian and Global dance practices. With a focus on traditional and contemporary dance practices, the dance specialisation, provides technical training and strong base for creative work. Practical training with theoretical understanding allows students to develop analytical approach and critical insights into dance and choreographic work. Students are enabled to develop a deeper understanding in their areas of interest like technique, performance, choreography and others through experimental and experiential approach in pedagogy.

Through the progression from basic to advanced level of learning, the specialisation provides students the required infrastructure support to train them in various aspects of performance and theory. Students are encouraged to attend workshops, interact with performing artists and researchers in order to develop their skills in appreciating and analysing performing arts. Hence, the holistic dance education at Flame nurtures young aspiring dance enthusiasts to become resourceful, healthy, innovative cultural leaders of the country.

SPECIALIZATION AIMS

The Dance minor intends to:

1. Impart skills to nurture body as an instrument for expression
2. Create awareness regarding fitness of a dancer, safe dance practice and injury prevention for an efficient performance
3. Provide the opportunity for students to develop a significant level of competency in dance and movement performance
4. Create theoretical understanding of conceptual frameworks related to Dance
5. Introduce analytical approach in students towards dance and artistic practices
6. Enhance understanding regarding the process of performance and choreography
7. Provide a broad based curriculum, exceptional professional guidance which encourages students to pursue collaborative and creative work in future
8. Expose students to academic training and practical experience that will help them pursue careers in Dance and Dance related areas

MINOR OUTCOMES: After successful completion of the Minor, the student will be able to,

1. Prepare, demonstrate and use body as an instrument for expression and to illustrate work of art
2. Identify, discuss, apply, demonstrate and analyse knowledge regarding fitness of a dancer, safe dance practice and injury prevention for an efficient performance
3. Discuss, distinguish, discover, demonstrate, explain, express, employ, interpret, produce a significant level of competency in dance and movement performance
4. Explain, discuss, apply, analyse, review, identify, differentiate, interpret and demonstrate theoretical understanding of conceptual frameworks related to Dance
5. Describe, discuss, explain and analyse different dance and artistic practices
6. Demonstrate, explain, discuss, apply, review, critique the process of performance and choreography
7. Demonstrate, apply, practice and produce collaborative and creative practices in future
8. Recognise, prepare, practice, solve challenges faced in artistic careers and be resourceful to pursue them successfully

COURSES (CORE AND ELECTIVE) 

DANCE MINOR COURSES

16 MINOR COURSES

* 4th year undergraduate courses

Introduction to dance

Dance is known as the primal expression and mode of communication of human beings even before the establishment of a civilized society. This course introduces to a structured movement and non structured movement of Indian Dance. To generate, sustain and build interest and confidence in body, in movement and dance, is the prime focus of this course. Students identify, explore various movements through different exercises in the studio. They are introduced to the Indian Dance, which comprises of Classical dance, Folk, Tribal, Martial Arts.

Introduction to contemporary dance

Dance is more than just a combination of steps put together. It is the ability to express and explore the possibilities of the body.

Aimed at a beginning student, this course in ‘Contemporary Dance’ introduces various aspects of the dance style which include body alignment, concept of weight, contact improvisation & physical theatre. A solo and group choreography will be created and performed by students based on their class work. This course also includes an introduction to jazz and modern dance.

Understanding Indian classical dance – Kathak and Bharatnatyam

India is culturally diverse country. The diversity imprints through the music and dance traditions of the country. India has eight classical dance forms, Kathak and Bharatnatyam being the well known ones across the country for their unique features. Kathak belongs to the northern India and Bharatnaytam to the Southern India, integrating regional, cultural influences on the art forms as an expression. The dances have evolved over the period of two thousand years, assimilating different nuances in the technique and performance.

This course deepens the understanding of Kathak and Bharatnatyam technique through practical sessions. The theoretical aspects regarding the dance, technique and expression are embedded within the practical training which help in creating a holistic understanding of two diverse dance forms in the student. The course is particularly useful in strengthening the technique previously learnt while enhancing movement vocabulary with the other. It further helps students to explore cross training in the context of movement practices by compelling them to push their mental and physical boundaries.

Fitness for dance

Fitness training and conditioning are important in preventing injury and enhancing a dancer’s performance and efficiency, especially because of demands of present-day choreography. Dancers are artistic athletes. Cardio vascular, strength training & flexibility workouts, these least resemble dance, however, the inclusion of such exercises has been shown to improve stamina, speed, balance and strength – important for dancers and particularly helpful with jumping.

Dance technique 1-Indian classical dance-Bharatnatyam

Indian Classical Dance Bharatnatyam has certain unique features which are explored in this course. Three compositions in Bharatnatyam technique will be taught to students which are as followed – 1. Nritta (Abstract dance) composition (Mallari/Pushpanjali/Kautuvam/Tillana. 2. Nritta-Nritya (Pure and interpretative dance) composition (from some popular Krithis or Keertanas). 3. Abhinaya Padam or Javali (Interpretative Dance) The emphasis will be on enhancing the clarity of technique while understanding the text and its interpretation in Bharatnatyam technique. The performance of the same becomes the challenging task giving perfect opportunity for students to explore both the aspects of Bharatnatyam i.e. the Nritta and the Nritya.

Dance technique 2 – contemporary dance

The course is carefully designed to prepare young dancers with necessary technical skills to demonstrate reasonable ability to analyse and perform the art form. The course focuses on enhancing the technical skills with respect to contemporary dance, modern dance, ballet and improvisation. The course is an intensive studio based course with a broad base of skills supported by range of movement practices.

History of dance

This course focuses on the History of Dance from the Western and the Indian perspective. It is an overview of many aspects involved in the study of History of Dance from the Prehistoric Period to the Contemporary time. Dance is a multimedia experience. It does not exist in isolation. It exists in time and space simultaneously through music, poetry, sculpture and painting. Anybody who is interested in dance will be intrigued while studying history of dance in the context of arts, society and culture.

Dance drama

Encompassing the myriad ways of expression could be flabbergasting at times. One such way or gener could be Dance Drama. It is also known as Dance Theater in the contemporary performing practices. The origin of Dance Drama can be traced back to ancient period of Indian history. Natyashastra – the sanskrit text on dramerturgy, emphasizes the composite nature of ‘Natya’ where ‘ Sangeet’ i.e. the music and dance are inseparable aspects of performance.

This course concentrates on this aspect of performance where dance and drama is explored together with an understanding of music as a form of expression. One can find many interesting interpretations of Dance Drama in Indian and Western context. Ramleela of North India, Yakshagana of Karnataka, Kathakali and Kudiyattam of Kerala are just a few exapmles of this tradition in India whereas Pina Bausch Dance Theater is well known in the West.

This course intends to investigate various possibilities of creating Dance Drama in the contemporary perspective. Students will experiment with the text, poetry, movement and music in solo as well as group format, keeping in mind the holistic approach involved in performing arts. This course can be viewed as a perfect example of interdciplinary learning. Students will create a final performance – solo or group scene work through the guided sessions.

Choreography

Performing Arts is referred to as a reflection of real life into Performance. As we experience the change in our surrounding so do we in the performing practices. Similarly, the term ‘choreography’ has suddenly caught everyone’s attention in India, in the 20th century, in the context of dance and now in the 21st century, it has become essential to understand what it means by the term ‘choreography’ and how it could be woven into the contemporary dance scenario. This course is an effort to study different aspects of choreography through the study of the content, form, technique and projection of the work.

Performance-ensemble dance production

A student explores various aspects related to practical and theory of performing arts- dance in earlier courses. It becomes essential to be able to put them together and execute all the learning in a performance. The understanding of theory, command on technique and going beyond theory and technique to create a dialogue with the space, music and the ‘Rasika’ through the bodily language is the main goal a student of dance aims at.

The focus of this course is to understand and imbibe various factors related to performance which a dance performer needs to be aware of. A performance will be created to provide training to the student regarding repertoire, stage, stamina, expression, confidence and other elements required for an impactful efficient performance.

Screen dance

This course is a wonderful amalgamation of two creative fields – Dance choreography and Film. The term Screen-dance is also known as ‘Dance on camera’ or ‘Dance film’ in the global dance community. The increasing number of festivals, symposiums and seminars organized worldwide, exclusively dedicated to Screen dance, indicate the emergence of this new field of art at the intersection of dance and film. Choreography of dance and choreography of camera are two sides of one coin when Screen dance is concerned. Based on single shot filmmaking, this course equips students to create their own final short film. This course is designed to explore the technology to create dance for the screen. In a technology driven era it becomes important for students to explore different possibilities of creative ideas regarding dance and movement mediated through technology. As a result the genre known as Screen-dance has a unique multilayered approach than the traditional approach. After the pandemic situation, the worldwide online space is opened for performers and an understanding of technology to enhance the dance and movement for artistic expression has become relevant than never before.

Aesthetics for dance

Students will develop a critical appreciation and awareness of the aesthetic aspects of form and motion in dance. This class is a combination of lecture and activity, which includes introduction to variety of dance forms, composition and criticism and linking aesthetic concepts to other areas such as visual arts and human experience.

Dance improvisation

Dance improvisation is considered as an important part in the training and development of a dancer and a choreographer in contemporary dance scenario. It mainly contributes to the development of movement material for performance as well as could be helpful in finding a unique artistic voice for a dancer/choreographer. While doing so, it may provide a space to the dancer to take artistic, aesthetic decisions and to explore limitless possibilities for a better outcome. Improvisation exercises in a dance pedagogy would allow the dancer to unlearn the technique, push the imagination and bring out the spontaneity for an honest, organic performance of the dancer.This course will guide dance students through different improvisation techniques. It will help to arrive at some unforeseen result in the art of making dance.

Dance entrepreneurship

Dance students study courses in technique, history, choreography and performance but may not realize the need to study entrepreneurship based classes to supplement sustainable dance career. The term ‘entrepreneurship’ is often looked at in the context of business. Very few would recognize the need to imbibe entrepreneurial skills for establishing an effective and efficient dance career. Skills in networking, problem solving, collaboration, time management are not just limited to business world but they could be equally applicable to a dancer to pursue a most productive professional path in contemporary competitive environment. This course would be helpful to reduce the gap between the academia and the growing dance industry in many ways.

Introduction to dance movement therapy

Movement is a first language that we learn. Human beings had understood the power of this non-verbal movement communication since ancient times. It reflected through the presence of dance and movement as it was a way to celebrate human life be it birth of a child, a wedding or a war practice.

ADTA (American Dance Therapy Association) defines DMT (Dance/Movement Therapy) as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual for the purpose of improving health and well-being.

Dance Movement Therapy emphasizing two major areas of study i.e Dance/movement and psychology is fast emerging as a viable career choice in India and abroad.