Dancing is the most liberating feeling in the world. It is the activity which helps to distress, lose inertia, meet amazing people who are into the same thing, ultimately it helps to express what one might be feeling or going through at the moment. Hardly anything in the world matches the feeling of getting up on your feet and shaking those legs of your to some music you can’t help but groove!
So, dancers around the world love International Dance Day. Whether one might be into Odissi Dance Form, jazz, contemporary, tap, robotic, rumba, street dance, or any local traditional dance, it is the perfect day for showcasing those moves you have got in your sleeves.
Every year, the event takes place on April 29, which also marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, the creator of modern ballet. This day also engages in encouraging participation and education in dance. This is done through the events and festivals held on the day all over the world. UNESCO formally allocates ITI to be the organizer of the event.
International Dance Day
| Observed by | All UN Member States |
| Date | 29th April |
| Next time | 29th April 2021 |
| Frequency | Annual |
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Basically, this day encourages participation and education in dance through various events and festivals held all over the world. Dance is both an art form and a method of communication in cultures around the world and is practised by millions of people.
When did International Dance Day start?
The first International Dance Day was celebrated in 1982.
Various Artforms of Dance
- Odissi Dance Form
It is a pure classical style of dance, enriched in enchanting mudras. In this dance form storytelling element is there which has its roots from the temples of Odisha. - Bharatanatyam Dance Form
This is one of the oldest classical performing art forms which is performed in the whole world. Let us tell you that this form of dance is originated from Tamil Nadu. - The contemporary Dance Form
This form of dance is in trend today and is also associated with theme styled dance. - The neoclassical dance form
It is also the latest form of performing arts. It is also known as modern style matching the current gen-X of 2019. - Thandava Dance Form
Shiva Thandava dance form has mythological roots which are related to Lord Shiva and is depicted in various forms. - Kuchipudi Dance Form
It is also another form of classical dance. It is originated from Andhra Pradesh. - Kathak Dance form
No doubt, it is one of the most glamorous classical dance forms in India till date. Origin of Kathak can be traced from North India. - Chau Dance Form
It is a semi-classical form of stage dance and is originated in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. - Kathakali Dance Form
It is a fabulous stage art form of dance. It is originated from the Deccan part of Indian sub-continent. It is an efflorescent art form of Kerala. It is also considered as one of the most difficult dance forms in India. - Manipuri Dance Form
As the name suggests, this form of dance is originated from Manipur, the northeastern part of the country. It is a vibrant classical dance which revolves around pure Indian mythological stories of Indian gods and goddesses.
These are some dance forms. Therefore, we can say that International Dance Day or World Dance Day is celebrated across the world to raise awareness about the importance of dance among the general public. It also aims to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education.
History – International Dance Day
This day dance is celebrated across the world and it was created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. The date for this International Dance Day is chosen because it is the birthday of the famous French dance artist Jean-Georges Noverre, who was born in 1727, a French dance ballet master and he was also a great reformer of dance.
The creators and organisers of the events are ITI by UNESCO. Let us be the informers here, In the year 1982, the international Dance Day was created and since that day an outstanding personality is selected to write a message for International Dance Day. Even ITI – International Theatre Institute in the selected host city creates a flagship event where several dance performances, educational workshops, speeches by dignitaries, dance artists and humanitarian projects etc happens.
Furthermore, events are organised across the world like open door courses, exhibitions, articles and street shows etc that happen to celebrate this day. But this year this would not be done as COVID-19 crisis is on its worst.
Dance is in fact valued a lot across the world and we cannot ignore this fact. This day also acts up as a method to give a wake up call to those who do not admire or respect the beauty of dance.
The main intention of International Dance Day is for celebrating dance, make people revel in the universality of the art form, cross all sorts of barriers, and bring people together through the common language of dance. Each year an amazing dancer or choreographer from any part of the world is selected by the International Dance Committee of ITI to write a message for the celebratory day which is then translated and transmitted around the world for dancers and dance lovers.
Significance of International Dance Day
Since its inception in 1982, every year, a popular dance personality is chosen to send a message for International Dance Day. ITI also helps in organizing events in a selected city. In said city, there are dance performances, educational campaigns, humanitarian projects and speeches made by various ambassadors, dance personalities and the chosen author for that particular year.
International Dance Day’s significance is high and to help spread awareness, each year, the ITI selects an extraordinary personality from the dance field to be the author for the event and share a message. The message delivered by the author focuses on the significance and relevance of dance. Trisha Brown, Alicia Alonso, and Merce Cunningham have been some of the past authors for the event.
International Dance Day celebration is marked on April 29 with people from all over the world contributing to dance. The International Theatre Institute invites its members along with the dancers, choreographers, students and enthusiasts to join them in a Gala Celebration that is held. This Gala takes place in a selected city, which is decided by the Executive Council of the ITI. For example, in 2017 it was held in Shanghai, China. And in 2018, it was held in Havana, Cuba.
People from all over the world celebrate the event on their social media by posting ‘Happy International Dance Day’ along with videos of themselves showing off their swift moves. Due to the corona virus pandemic, it is imperative that you stay at your homes and celebrate International Dance Day from your homes.
Why do We love to Celebrate Happy International Dance Day?
This is a special day for dancers around the world as it allows us to align ourselves to our goals. The dream has always been simple- bring the world closer through the bonding of dance whatever form it might be and create a world friendship, love, peace, joy, and harmony. Dancing transcends all barriers that make us feel alone and creates a world of belonging. So, we love to celebrate the day which makes us feel at home through its expression.
At the end, we can say that this day is celebrated across the world to spread awareness about the importance of dance among all the people. It does aims to pursue government across the globe to put a little more effort for all types of dance form and teach this to kids.
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