International Dance Day: Ten most popular dance forms we would love to learn

From Bharatanatyam, Kathak to ballet, dance is a significant part of our life and culture. Many Indians today have taken to western dance forms like tango, ballet, street jazz and salsa, which are captivating the fascination of those who love putting their best foot forward. 

International Dance Day is observed annually on April 29 as a global day to celebrate dance. It was created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. April 29 was chosen to celebrate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, who was born in 1727, a French dancer, ballet master and a great reformer of dance. 

On the occasion of International Dance Day, here are a few popular dance forms to help you celebrate. 

Tap dance: The dancer wears shoes specially designed with metal plates on the toe and heel. They use their feet to create a sound similar to those produced by percussion instruments. 

Jazz: This dance form is said to have been inspired by ballet, modern, tap, hip-hop, African dance and many more styles.  
 

Bharatnatyam: This popular Indian dance form was first seen in the temples of Tamil Nadu, one of the states of India.

Kathak:  Another type of Indian dance Kathak, which originated in the north, is one beautiful form of art and the dancers are known as storyteller or Kathakars.

Ballet: This is one of the most challenging dance forms. Ballet dance is usually set to orchestrated music and is the basis of many other styles. 

Salsa: This dance form originated in New York due with strong influence from Latin America. In these types of dances, the major expressive movements are done by the lower part of the body that is the hips, the body and legs.
 

Hip Hop: The urban dance form, also known as street dance, is mostly performed to hip hop, urban, and rap music. 

Belly dance: This has different types of dance moves depending upon the region and the country. The dance includes twisting and rolling the abdomen, torso and the hips. 

Kathakali: This dance form is from Kerala and it is one of the major forms of classical Indian dance. It is a story play genre of art, but one distinguished by the elaborately colourful make-up, bright costumes and famous facemasks that male actor-dancers wear.

Tango: Tango is a kind of ballroom dance and it began in the working class port in Uruguay, Argentina and Rio de la Plata.