Superficiality and tricks in dance?[ DT NOTE P16] - Page 6

Originally posted by: chocolover89

Let me first state that I don't know much about dancing. But then now a days most of the art forms have a lot of gray area same as music or painting etc. It is the reason why martial arts and gymnastics are choreographed and not simply performed, to many Kalari is martial art and to many it is also a dance form. Same with Malkham, it is an exercise machine as well as a dance form, so I would not make a sweeping statement if this is dance or not. What I mean to say as a viewer I enjoyed the act and thats about it. Rest I leave it to Remo and Madhuri to judge because they are much more knowledgable and experienced in dancing than I am. Let me draw a parallel, I love a movie when it entertains me. I am not concerned weather it has brilliant acting or a wonderful direction or exception editing and camera work. I only enjoy the end product and thats about it. I enjoyed their performance more than SS for it had more horror factor for me.

Originally posted by: quarky

I expected that when I wrote it, but you have to admit, Shakti has a degree in dance from Terrence's Institute - ie. she's a trained dancer in many of the western/latin forms (the degree curriculum has ALL the MAJOR western forms included) which is what she did and excelled at - who had her teacher as her mentor in DID. Isha is super flexible, but she's not trained in the western forms that Salman is making her do.

I thought Isha's expressions in the paso doble was spot on. I may not be too amazed by Madhuri and Karan as the judges, but I definitely trust Remo to know what he says - and I agree with him on Isha-Salman everytime.

Oh I don't think you understood what I was trying to say. My fault then..I should have been clearer, especially with the "I'm comparing the dancing not the choreography." Let me be clearer now: I'm not comparing Isha and Shakti's Paso Doble technique (Shakti's is FAR better but that's not the point here). I'm comparing their facial expressions ONLY...because you used that performance as an example of Isha's great expressions.

I promised myself I would quit this forum after my last discussion, but I just could not resist responding to this thread...

Thank you!

I had sort of taken it for granted that this gimmicky stuff was what passed for dance on TV these days and let it go, admitting that if these were the parameters then Isha was indeed beyond compare. But after reading your thread, I found an outlet for my growing doubts. What Isha did last week was no doubt impressive, but was it dance?

In other discussion threads, I have been agreeing that she is technically, physically perfect, which I believe she is, but I cannot deny that her performances lack soul and meaning to me as an audience member, which I think is a vital aspect of any dance. It is not just on JDJ that I have noticed this either. I have seen her perform live as well, and though she is undoubtedly unparalleled in skill..her aerial dancing is the best in the country, I have not seen much come from within Isha herself as a creative individual and I expected more from her for all her years of training and professional performance. To me she often looks like she is dancing for the sake of it, rather than to communicate a story or engage the audience. Her motivation to dance seems to be, "what more can I do with my body?" in the sense that she seems focused more on what she can do over what it can do to the audience.

To give credit where it is due, the performance did creep me out but the image that stuck with me was not Isha's movements or her expressions, but more a still image of her look in the performance...in short her makeup, those contact lenses and the lighting. And you can't deny that costuming and presentation is a part of dance, but the issue for me was that it overshadowed the physical, movement aspect of dance in this piece and allowed Salman to keep Isha in her comfort zone while appearing to think out of the box, or out of the bag if you will. 😆

I have never watched JDJ before, because I usually avoid dance reality shows, but I am shocked at the possibility that this act is lifted from a piece choreography last year, even if only in essence! There are indeed a lot of ways they could have chosen to go with the theme of horror, Isha as a seductive vampiress, maybe? Corpse bride? Eek, imagine her in dulhan attire, forcing Salman to marry her! Considering she is classically trained, they could have even taken inspiration from Chandramukhi/Bhool Bhulaiyya. In any case, the very fact that there are similarities between the two acts is sad to me.

That being said, I just have to give a shout out to Shampa; the woman is utterly brilliant! I was already impressed by her work this season; the way she has brought Gurmeet round from his first few abysmal performances to his pretty fantastic robotic latin one, is something to behold! Now after watching her work with Sushant, I am even more her fan than ever! She is truly a creative visionary. 👏

Also, I love Shibani! She is definitely the dark horse this season. Her energy, her expressions and her clean execution make her a delight to watch when she is dancing. She just draws you in and invites you to have fun with her...and do I ever! I think my favourite performance of hers is still that delicious tango! Her expressions were so playful and yet intense. You can tell she is having a blast with her dancing, and really that is half the battle!

I have totally 2 left feet in my mind whn it comes to dancing and also this is the first time I'm watching a dance reality show. Watched the vid of Sushant and Shampa's dance which was posted in the thread. Yes they too danced beautifully, but the kind of awestruck reaction I had watching Isha-Salman's performance was absent. I usually use the word "performance" in place of dance, coz it's not simply dance, otherwise der would hv been no need of props, camera angles, lighting etc. if it was just the dance that was being performed. It's the whole performance. And der Isha-Salman score for me. The whole conceptualization, presentation and performance by the duo is captivating for me, a totally layman viewer.

@Topic maker: You have nailed it. While everyone is awed by Isha-Salman I just dont see the point. Isha is more a gymnast than a dancer. Where is the dancing in their performance? When Isha's debut movie had released I remember one critic making the same comment about her 'brilliant' dancing. I see that over the years nothing has changed.

I really think a performance's goodness depends on the person who is looking at it. Unless you are doing a classical form (Indian like Bharatnatyam or Western like Ballet) where it is very important to be true to the style, it is ok to take liberties. If you have ever looked at So you think you can dance performances, a lot of Sonya Tayeh's choreography is around shapes and flow and if those who says Isha didn't do dance sees them then will say Sonya also doesn't choreograph dances but only gymnastic / circus acts. Whereas Sonya is regarded as one of the best and most innovative choreographers that is there now. So I think Salman, and all other choreographers, should be allowed to interpret dance forms.

DT Note:

I don't think anyone here intends to 'shove opinions down anyone's throat'. At least not me, and I saw Himani too agreeing to disagree in a very friendly manner in one post. I request everyone- whether or not they agree with my/our views, people from both sides actually, not to look at the debate as an attempt to shove opinions down anyone's throat or take any arguments personally, it was simply a discussion, a difference of opinion and has been very civil till here. I personally liked reading all the different view points whether or not I agreed with them. This is the first time I actually got so involved in JDJ forum this season.

sushant shampa act ws jst awww...brilliant...can't be comparable