Dance sport in India explained
Dance Sport, also known as competitive dancing, has gained popularity in India over the years. It combines elements of dance, athleticism, and artistic expression.
Dance Sport involves competitive performances in various dance styles. Dancers compete in different categories, showcasing their skills, precision, and creativity. The All India DanceSport Federation (AIDSF) serves as the national sports federation for DanceSport in India.
Jhinuk Alvares is an internationally successful Indian ballroom dancer.[1] Sahira Jain has won gold medals for Latin dance in the National Dance Sport Championship for two years in a row.[2]
Types of Dance Sport
- Ballroom Dance Styles:
- Freestyle: This category allows for more creativity and innovation, incorporating elements from various dance styles.
- Breaking, a dynamic street dance form, gained prominence in India through hip-hop culture.[3] It involves power moves, freezes, and intricate footwork. In India, breaking began to take roots in the second half of the 2000s.[4] [5] Also known as breakdancing, it is a growing form of dance sport in India and breaking competitions are gaining traction and recognition.[6] [7] [8]
Competitions
Ballroom
The third India Open Latin Ballroom DanceSport Championship was held in January 2019.[9]
The 12th National Dance Sport Championships were held in Meerut in July 2022.[10]
Breaking
The first National Breaking Championships was held Mumbai in 2021.[11] [12]
The Red Bull BC Cypher organised annually in Mumbai is the national breaking competition. The initial edition was in 2015.[13]
A controversy emerged in 2023 when the Government of India blocked Indian breakers from participating in the Asian Games.[14] The experience would have been beneficial for the breakers to prepare for the Olympics.[15]
Training and Education
Numerous dance academies and schools offer training in dance sport. These institutions provide classes in both ballroom and breaking styles, catering to beginners as well as advanced dancers.[16] [17] Workshops and masterclasses by international dancers are also common.
Influences
- Bollywood Influence: Indian films (Bollywood) often feature freeform expressions of dance, inspiring many to explore DanceSport. Films like and its sequel were based on the theme of competitive dance.
- Television reality dance shows: Several popular reality shows on Indian television feature competitors performing varied dance forms, including ballroom, freestyle and breaking. Some shows are Dance India Dance, India's Best Dancer, Boogie Woogie, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Nach Baliye.
Challenges and future prospects
Dance sport in India faces challenges such as limited funding, the need for greater recognition and support from sports authorities, and a lack of widespread awareness compared to established dance forms like classical and Bollywood styles.[18] [19]
Notes and References
- Web site: Savkoor . Tanya . Grace, Glitter, & Grit: Jhinuk Alvares' Path As Indian Ballroom Dancer . www.shethepeople.tv . 21 July 2024 . hi.
- News: Class 10 girl bags gold medal for Latin dance in National Dance Sport Championship . 21 July 2024 . India Today . 3 January 2020 . en.
- Web site: Discover the must-attend events of India's underground street dance scene . Red Bull . 21 July 2024 . en . 10 July 2023.
- News: Prasad . Aashin . Breakdance as sport: The top dancers in India . 21 July 2024 . Sportstar . 4 July 2022 . en.
- News: As breakdancing comes to terms with transition from dance form to sport, B-Boys and B-Girls find the athlete within . 21 July 2024 . The Indian Express . 21 May 2023 . en.
- News: Breaking the mould: Angsty dance form goes to Olympics, and Indians ready their moves too . 21 July 2024 . Financialexpress . 22 December 2020 . en.
- News: 'Breaking' the mould: Indians prepare their moves as breakdancing becomes an Olympic 'sport' . 21 July 2024 . The Times of India . 22 December 2020.
- News: Ganguly . Nivedita . Meet Visakhapatnam's breakdancers who are nurturing the Olympic dream . 21 July 2024 . The Hindu . 23 February 2023 . en-IN.
- Web site: 3rd India Open Latin Ballroom DanceSport Championship 2019 . NCPA . 21 July 2024.
- News: Ludhiana students shine in dance contest . 21 July 2024.
- News: Breakdance at Olympics: Indian contenders are short on funds, not commitment or talent . 21 July 2024.
- News: Developer . Web . Road to Olympics 2024: 1st National Breaking Championship in Mumbai . 21 July 2024 . Mid-day.
- Web site: Breaking good: How the latest Olympic sport is inspiring Indian youth . ESPN . 21 July 2024 . en . 9 December 2020.
- News: Sarangi . Y. B. . Excluding breakers from Asiad disheartening: Amateur Dance Sport Federation of India . 21 July 2024 . The Hindu . 3 September 2023 . en-IN.
- News: Bureau . The Hindu . Breakdancing athlete Shreya from Visakhapatnam urges sports authorities to provide her a chance to represent India in 19th Asian Games . 21 July 2024 . The Hindu . 27 September 2023 . en-IN.
- Web site: Rajeshwari Vaidyanathan: Changing The Landscape Of Latin Ballroom Dancing In India . www.womenentrepreneursreview.com . 21 July 2024.
- News: Mohan . Rochana . Teaching Chennai Latin, one dance step at a time . 21 July 2024 . The New Indian Express . 20 July 2019 . en.
- News: India's Breakers Struggle for Recognition Amid Olympic Breakthrough . 21 July 2024 . News18 . 15 July 2024 . en.
- News: S,DHNS . Pranati A. . B'luru grooving to 'breaking' in a big way . 21 July 2024 . Deccan Herald . en.
