Present trend in classical and folk dance forms

by Subashini PATHMANATHAN

All the classical dance forms are confined into the category of Margi; meanwhile all the folk dances are categorized into the category of Desi. The Desi dance form all over the world differs from region to region, place to place, district to district, and season to season. Most of this Desi dance forms are formulated for amusements. This particular Pradesha folk dance according to Natya Sastra is called Desi Dance. Desi dances are also strictly based on certain norms. Even anybody can handle the Desi dance forms (folk dances) according to their own ideas, and modify the costumes, makeup, and music.

In society dance is divided into two varieties. One is classical and the other is folk dance. Both the classical dance and folk dance reflect the culture, tradition, religion, and regional social practices and social background of the selective society.

Classical dances and folk dances have certain norms, and both provide equal opportunity for creativity, within the limited frame work. All the classical and folk dances have certain defined clarified items. Each item of the classical and folk dances have their own defined order, and use certain selected ornaments, and designed costumes and selective make up. Similarly, each and every classical and folk dance is based on certain selective music. Some are accompanied with vocal music alone, and some are only accompanied with instrumental music alone, and some more are accompanied with vocal music and instrumental music together. Hence all the classical and folk dances have rich historical background, and longstanding historical development.

Some of the folk dances are practised only for certain festivals and for certain occasions by certain caste or clan.

The Margi dance form which transcends the international barriers and boundaries and acquires the international recognition. These Classical dances (Margi) are very polished and specialized techniques.

Most of the oriental classical dances have a spiritual and historical background behind them. All the classical dance forms were fostered in different regions, in different countries for centuries together. These ancient dance forms are a part of traditional heritages, and traditional culture. Above all, the classical dance forms are totally based and linked with spirituality, philosophy and religion. Majority of the traditional art community all over the world are preserving and protecting these art forms with full devotion and with full dedication.

But unfortunately at the end of the 20th century there was a new trend that emerged among the society and among the teachers who had introduced a new face of dance to attract the students, and attract the audience together. Sometimes one particular dance form is mixed-up with numerous other classical dances that is known as the fusion dance, which cannot be included among the classical or folk dances. These fusion dances do not have any proper base.

In between these fusion dances, some choreographers insert and introduce certain their own ideological creativity. Sometimes the dances are mixed-up with numerous classical dances and also with numerous folk dances. At the end all the dance forms lose their total essence and purity of the art forms and also their own identity. No proper music is adopted for these dances.

Today many modern artistes all over the world introduce numerous modifications, and innovations, in these ancient dance forms. As the result, they distort and destroy the whole idea of these beautiful art forms, which were fostered and preserved for centuries by generations and generations. The main aim of the present generation dance choreographers introduce some new trends to attract the present ordinary masses by introducing some cinema type of baseless dances according to their own wishes, and ideologies, with the help of modern techniques, such as lighting, and sound system.

Mainly some of the dance teachers try to introduce the dances for the light music background. Even some of the choreographers introduce dances, for certain thrilling cinema songs. All these dances are carried and labelled under the name of fusion dance.

These fusion dances are carried out, and promoted by certain individual dance teachers, as well as by certain organisations for business purposes, popularity, and for entertainment purposes.

In these vivid dances, most of the dancers use real classical dance costumes and ornaments. These types of baseless dances will not last long, but for the time being it damages the image of the pure classical and folk dances among the present young generation and future generation.

Earlier music was divided into classical music, folk music, and light music. But after some years back, pop music was quite popular among the ordinary masses. Now it has lost its popularity. Similarly any art form which is introduced without any proper base will not last long.

Some artistes who promote such as fusion dances and pop music for their personal gains and, for their business purposes, will slowly and slowly lose their own recognition.

Among all the seven Classical Indian dance forms, Bharta Natyam, is mostly affected by this present fusion trend. Similarly for some extent in the Sri Lankan Classical dance form - the Kandyan dance form is also affected by this fusion trend.