10 popular Dance Forms from across the World

Dance like no one is watching!

Before getting into the dance forms, let us just say – Life is almost, always about going places. To work, to college, for a doctor’s appointment, to sleep. Why can’t we just stop, wait a minute and Dance?! Step into tap shoes or a pair of anklets. Dance to the rhythm of raindrops, to the honk of traffic to simply to the ‘dhak-dhak’ of your heart. Dancing is so so wonderful (show us one person who’d argue). And so, we have compiled here a list of popular, beautiful dance forms across the world! For the sake of ease, we have put them into categories roughly from their country of origin.

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1. Indian Classical

Classical dances in India such as the Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, and Kathak represent centuries-old folklores and stories with elaborate costumes, makeup, and jewelry.

2. Indian Folk Dances

Folk dances across the diverse country of India is a sight to behold. From fast to slow beats and simple to accessorized dances, India has everything. And with the flow of culture, you can get access to almost any of dance anywhere in our nation.

3. Bollywood

No list is complete sans mentioning the quintessential filmi dance. The masala, emotions and music is always a high. Famous dancers include Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone, etc.

4. Ballet

This is a classic, top. Traditionally from France, ballet now has schools and genres across the entire West. This form is a very technical and serene. However, this type of dance is very taxing on the health of the dancers (associated with eating disorders and decreased bone density).

5. Hip-Hop

Popularized due to Hollywood movies, hip-hop primarily deals with street dance performed to tunes of the music of the same kind. It is practiced in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

6. Contemporary Dance

 

 

 

Also called modern dance, contemporary dance incorporates many different styles of dance such as jazz, ballet and others. Modern form of dance saw its beginnings around the mid-twentieth century.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Tap Dance

Tap-Tap-Tap! This one uses special shoes called tap shoes to make a rhythmic sound while dancing. The shoes tap on the floor to make percussion-like sounds. Tap dance also sometimes done in ‘a cappella’ style, i.e., sans external music input.

8. Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing are hugely popular! There are a number of kinds; the most known ones include Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot. And generally involves partners. Some forms like salsa are also performed in nightclubs of Havana! Dance has no boundaries!

9. Belly Dance

Next is a form where there are complex movements of the torso – belly dancing. Although sexualized, this form of dance is said to have originated in the Middle East and Egypt,  ironically.  The costume generally involves a small blouse for the chest and a long skirt at the waist.

 

 

 

10. Samba

A very lively form, Samba is originally from Brazil. The adjoining picture is from the Rio carnival. It is a solo dance and done impromptu, most of the times.

IMAGE SOURCE: Wikipedia

We cannot ever say we have the entire list of all dance forms. There are many endemic ones to countries, especially in South America and Europe. Also, like all other art forms, dance, too is fluid and ever evolving. The only prerequisite is to have fun with it. And we’d recommend to never stop learning and perusing. But even if not professionally or as a hobby, dance on the street, in the rains – ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. Feel alive with every step you take and every movement you feel coursing through your veins.