Citizens embrace modern, classic dance forms to stay happy and fit

Pune: Peppy fast paced music, non-stop dance moves in sync with the beats and the company of her friends these factors worked together to is what convince Seema Mishra to enrol for a dance class at being conducted in her residential colony on Sus Road.
Two weeks on, Mishra is convinced dance is the best route towards happiness.
The hour-long session, held thrice a week, helps Mishra work out as well as give her mind a breaknot only manages to exercise her entire body, but also comes out smiling and mentally relaxed.Participating in the class along with her friends is, of course, the added bonus.
For thousands of fitness freaks like Mishra, dance is the preferred way to burn calories and stay fit. The arrival of Zumba has only added to the popularity of dance as a cardiovascular exercise that has long been dominated by classical forms and Bollywood music. The ability to perform in groups makes it a reliable way to stay in shape.
Explaining why it works, fitness trainer Ruth Gabriel says, "Dance as a form of exercise has been around for a long time. Group fitness classes, like Zumba, are better received than other fitness routines primarily because of the music, rhythm and the feeling of doing something together which ensures that people stick to it. A person training alone in the gym is more likely to drop out than someone enrolled for a dance class. Learning the moves allows one to express and emote too, which leaves you feeling happy, relaxed and fit."
Bharatnatyam dancer Suchitra Date, who runs a school in Parvati, believes that several dance forms have reached Indian shores thanks to globalisation. points out that with globalization several international dance forms , Indians have the opportunity to enjoy many more dance forms, believes Suchitra Date . Also, the buzz around newly introduced moves hasn't taken away from the classical dance forms. monishing all concerns about Indian heritage losing out to the western dance forms, Date explains, "At our school, we continue to see children enrolling to learn Indian classical dance and taking it up professionally. Dance is not only a complete fitness routine, but it also helps you stay happy. Moreover, there is an audience for it world over so one gets to travel too. The dance forms may be different but the music connects them all."
Along with members of Nritya Prerana School of Dance, Date will celebrate the day with an elaborate programme titled ‘Prapancham - Dancing for Preserving Nature' with performances based on five Indian classical dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Mohiniattam & Kathakali. The programme is not only intended as a tribute to legendary Bharatanatyam dancers and, at the same time, it will like Kalanidhi Narayan, Mrinalini Sarabhai and Rukhmini Devi Arundale, but will also offer lecture demonstrations to help the audience understand and explore the beauty of Indian classical dance forms.
The programme will see performances not only by Date and other Bharatnatyam exponents, including Nrupa Soman, Namrata Rao, Shruti Tekawade, Juilee Patwardhan, Dhanashree Pandit. Mohiniattam and Kathakali performer but also by Neethi Nair, Odissi performer Pracheeti Dange and Kathak danseuse Amruta Gogate will also perform as part of the evening. It will be held in the Anganmanch of the dance institute in Mitramandal Colony in Parvati from 5pm-8pm.
Meanwhile, students, teachers, and members of Surajhankar, a charitable trust working to nurture Bengali cultural heritage in the city, will present Chitrangada. The ballet performance depicting the love story of Chitrangada and Arjuna. The dance drama, choregraphed by Sumita Mahajan and directed by Amit Mitra will held at Balgandharva Rangmandir at 7.30pm on Friday will not only commemorate World Dance Day but also the 155th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.