Celebrating the spirit of dance

Every year, International Dance Day is celebrated on the 29th of April, showcasing the amazing diversity and spirit of dancers all over the world.

The ITI Dance Committee puts forward a message from a celebrated dancer every year to remind us all to appreciate this amazing art form. This year's message was given by multiple award-winning dancer and artistic director of Korean National Ballet, Kang Sue-jin.

In her message this year, the South Korean ballerina highlighted how the pandemic has impelled us to "rethink" the meaning of dance and dancers.

"It is a momentary art that is difficult to restore to its original form once completed because it`s created with the entire body and soul. Dance is made of ephemeral moments, which destines dancers to be on the move forever. Yet, Covid-19 has restricted and even blocked the art of dance in its original form," reads part of her message.

The dancer also talks about how this setting has forced them to look back in time when "dance and dancers sparkled like jewels, conveying human anguish and anxiety, will and hope for life, and illuminated the world".

"As dancers, we believe that the flapping of our wings gives hope to the hearts of those who love the art of dance and gives them the courage to overcome this pandemic. My heart is already starting to pound," her message ends.

While the world struggled under the shroud of gloom and isolation, artistes from various fields came together to bring relief and joy through their activities. Dance was one of the major ways through which people found a semblance of normalcy in their otherwise unnatural confined states.

Dance, being the most effective way of communicating and expressing the innermost feelings of the human soul, became one of the most widely used mediums for many to fight boredom, find new interests, connect with the wider world as well as provide entertainment to others.

Be it classical, contemporary, modern, folk, or freestyle, professional and non-professional, dancers all came together. While some danced to fight the depressing effects of the pandemic, many danced and filmed themselves to share with the world through social media and other mediums. The performances were all done in confined spaces of balconies, terraces, living rooms, or gardens, making the experience more real, personal, and relatable.

The community of dancers around the world danced selflessly and shared their performances with throughout the pandemic to keep everyone motivated and engaged. Innumerous past and current performances, live streams, dance films, online collaborations and festivals, fundraising raising concerts, practice, rehearsal, and improvisation videos for everyone were posted online to view and enjoy.

Several international dance companies offered online dance classes at almost no or minimal fees. Many enthusiasts, who had stopped dancing several years ago, found inspiration to start afresh. The situation formed great connections between dancers as they got to know each other and their works through the internet and brought the community closer.

While the pandemic steered us in a direction to view dance in another light, it was also a time of great crisis for many who earn their bread and butter through this art form. With the shutting down of theatres and stage shows, dance schools and companies, many dancers were out of job for months on end and had faced severe financial crisis to continue to survive in the pandemic.

In addition, performing continuously before a camera or a laptop in confined places alone took away the thrill and excitement of performing in an auditorium before a live audience. However, the virtual world of dance still managed to find innovative ways.

On International Dance Day 2022 as the world still struggles with the pandemic, let us take time to think of all those who have suffered, but also let us move forward with the best of the realisations. Let us all take time to celebrate ourselves, our dreams, hopes, and togetherness by connecting our minds and bodies through the eternal spirit of motion of dance.

The author is a dancer and choreographer.