Which dance form do you think....?

So I couldn't fit the entire title in the title! 😆
But my question to all of you out there, is which dance form do you think every dancer should excel in or have some training in? Basically which form is the building block to become a better performer and dancer. Hope that makes sense.

Being an NRI all my life, I feel like I've become even more attached to India and its people. Despite being born and raised in the United States, I've never really lost touch with my culture and traditions. Everyone would think being an American born I'd be more into American stuff. But its quite the opposite actually. I watch more bollywood films than hollywood. I know more bollywood actors/actresses than hollywood actors/actresses. I listen to more bollywood songs than hollywood songs. I know more of Indian singers than of American singers. I sing bollywood songs rather tha American songs. And last but not least I have been trained in Bharatnatyam and bollywood dance rather than American forms of dancing.

I think what's inspired me to do Bharatnatyam is that being far away from my country, I have always felt that classical dance forms have a deep connection to the country they represent. I had the strictest teacher ever in those 7 years that I did do. But she was the best and I learned a lot from her. Unfortunatley I was not able to finish my arangatram, as I had to quit because my studies were really getting to me, and the commute to her place was quite to much of a hassle for my parents. I started learning when I was 5 (the age of some of the kids on LM)! After learning for 7 years, I really felt that classical dance forms really shape you as a dancer! Through the years I've learned and noticed that those who have been trained in any classical form whether it be bharatnatayam, kathak, kuchipudi, odissii or whatever are on a whole better performers. (There are exceptions, however, so don't kill me for saying that)! But I think those that have learned or are learning classical dance forms are one step ahead of the game in becoming top established dancers if that is what they pursue. Of course there are a billion of more dance forms out there, and I wish I had learned more than I have. But I really think that classical forms the roots of dancing. This is only my opinion and I know many of you will argue with me. But for me Bharatnatyam holds a special place in my heart. I have learned so much from it and from my teacher and guru. I think every dancer out there should have some training in a classical form. My sister took kathak for a short period of time with Madhuri Dixit's sister. She was a fabulous teacher and very nice. Kathak differs vastly from Bharatnatyam. And when I compared it, I was awed. It was just another beautiful classical dance form. Classical dance forms really connect and unite you with your culture. Living in the US all my life, I have not once forgotten my original roots. When people ask me what nationality I am, I always say Indian first before American. Living in the US doesn't change the fact that my parents are from India and that I am indeed just as Indian as they are.

So that was my view. What do you all think? Which dance form should every dancer be trained in?

Now Rani technically speaking I has done a bad mistake to train myself in Kathak from the very begining. I am trained in kathak for more than 15 years and started learning when I was 5yrs. After another five years, when I was 10, I found it really hard to match my steps to bollywood numbers with my untrained friends. I have totally lost my flexilibity around waist that happens to an integral part of most of the dancestyles. Kathak need more of leg and hand movement you know. So I was like only for kathak and that was quite disheartening.

After consulting with various teachers my mom enrolled me in folk dance and I have done it for nearly 6 years along with Kathak. And now I have regained my flexibility.

So, so for the starters, I would advice that choose any kind of dance you like, but avoid thoses dancestyles that contrains your movements in certain parts of your body. For being a very good dancer you need to have a flexible body along with a very good sense of "Taal" or rhythm. You can opt for kathak or manipuri along withe other dance forms.

For that bharatnatyam, Odissi, hiphop are good to start with 😊

This is probably not the answer you wantto hear ....but in my opinion, what is important and what helps is that you do receive training but it does not matter which particular dance form you received the training in. We have also seen that some people are simply good at at dancing even without any training, and some do not achieve the height even with training. Many believe that training in Indian classical is superior than western.... Many others beileve that training in western classical (for example ballet) is better than others....

@ Sash - I can't really speak for Kathak, as I personally haven't had any training in it, but I do understand where you are coming from.

@ Ms. Universe - I agree with you to a certain extent. I just think that classical has so much to it that if you know that dance form, most others become easily ready for you. Maybe that's just me and the way I've been trained though. I can't speak for everyone!

Rhythmic Gymnastic is a great option accvording to me. Through this you can main your body flexibility as well can develop a good rhythm sense.

I believe flexibility is a very important factor in a dancer, but I think there are a lot of other things a dancer must have that are far greater than just flexibility!

Originally posted by: Cutiepie Rani

I believe flexibility is a very important factor in a dancer, but I think there are a lot of other things a dancer must have that are far greater than just flexibility!

I think if you know the basics of contemporary and if you were Indian, classical would also be good to learn. But there's so many dance styles out there that it's hard knowing one. For example, if you were always taught to do light steps in for example ballet then it becomes hard to do a dance where your feet are everything, for example tap. In tap, you have to put weight on your shoes to make noise.

Originally posted by: Cutiepie Rani

ditto def agreed there!

I personally think to be good in any art form one has to be passionate about it and everything else just falls into place.