Dance: Life and Love in motion

Genesis · 06-11-2014, 12:55 PM

Photo by Christopher Peddecord
Dance Planet

Genesis · 06-11-2014, 01:32 PM

The story of Kalbeliyas is an example of how the changes in society and culture influence traditional musicians and their lifestyle. From a region of Barmer in Rajasthan origins a nomad tribe of Gypsies called Kalbeliyas, which were traditionally known as snake charmers. They used to remove serpents from houses and trade snake venom. Women used to accompany men on their way of trade from house to house, as they begged for alms while dancing and singing. They used to give public shows as well, which included various snake tricks. Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 brought a ban on snake performances so Kalbeliyas had to transform their shows -- girls replaced snakes.

Mohini Devi group -- representative of nowadays Kalbeliyas is an ensemble of about seven musicians who did not receive any formal education, but were instead learning music from an early age from their guru Kalunath Kalbeliya. They have gained international recognition and many of the dancers lived, performed and even taught this style abroad. In India Kalbeliyas are invited mostly for weddings, cultural programs and festivals. Mohini Devi group is also proficient at many other dances like Bhavai, Chari, Ghummar, Terah Taali and add on elements of fire shows and acrobatics in their performance.

Spheres of Kalbeliyas act are divided: men plays instruments and women dance. The main instrument is Been -- an Indian woodwind instrument originally used to hypnotize snakes. It's both plaintive and seductive tones are accompanied by beats of Dhap and Dafli, creating very energetic and compelling rhythms. Dancers wear traditional black ankle-length skirt and top. Both are richly embellished with colorful strips and complemented with beautiful jewelry made from tiny pearls and silver hangings. Outfit completes a dupatta -- a long loose flowing stole pinned to dancers' heads. Kalbeliya dancers spinning fast, swaying their hips, swirling tassels and shawl can mesmerize viewer for long hours.

Genesis · 06-11-2014, 01:46 PM

Imagine takes a road trip round the desert state of Rajasthan, meeting musicians whose existence is under threat from the new India.
They meet Bhopa bards who recite four-night-long epics in front of huge hand-painted scrolls, saffron-clad, chillum-smoking sisters, cross-dressers and gypsy dancers who literally bend over backwards to pick up rupees.

Genesis · 06-14-2014, 03:28 PM

The Australian Ballet Natasha Kusen and Andrew Killian
Photo by Paul Scala; Dance Planet

Genesis · 06-14-2014, 03:39 PM

Swan Lake (Complete Ballet Representation) by Tchaikovsky
Artists of the Maryinsky Theatre & The Orchestra of the Maryinsky Theatre
Directed by Valery Gerg

Genesis · 06-14-2014, 03:58 PM

Persian dance, Helia Bandeh
Photography Rob Elsjan

Genesis · 06-14-2014, 04:03 PM

Flamenco Blanca Nieves & Helia Persischer Tanz meets Flamenco in Mosaico -
La Quinta Esencia
Tanzfestival 2010

06-11-2014, 12:55 PM	#1
Genesis Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme on a varied spectrum/babygirl Preferred Pronoun?: she/her/hers Relationship Status: Loved ლ ⚢ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Devenir un avec l'immatérialité des étoiles... Posts: 9,439 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,606 Thanked 14,669 Times in 6,299 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Dance Planet Photo by Christopher Peddecord Dance Planet

06-11-2014, 01:32 PM	#2
Genesis Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme on a varied spectrum/babygirl Preferred Pronoun?: she/her/hers Relationship Status: Loved ლ ⚢ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Devenir un avec l'immatérialité des étoiles... Posts: 9,439 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,606 Thanked 14,669 Times in 6,299 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	MOHINI DEVI KALBELIYA - Kalyo Kood Padyo Mela The story of Kalbeliyas is an example of how the changes in society and culture influence traditional musicians and their lifestyle. From a region of Barmer in Rajasthan origins a nomad tribe of Gypsies called Kalbeliyas, which were traditionally known as snake charmers. They used to remove serpents from houses and trade snake venom. Women used to accompany men on their way of trade from house to house, as they begged for alms while dancing and singing. They used to give public shows as well, which included various snake tricks. Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 brought a ban on snake performances so Kalbeliyas had to transform their shows -- girls replaced snakes. Mohini Devi group -- representative of nowadays Kalbeliyas is an ensemble of about seven musicians who did not receive any formal education, but were instead learning music from an early age from their guru Kalunath Kalbeliya. They have gained international recognition and many of the dancers lived, performed and even taught this style abroad. In India Kalbeliyas are invited mostly for weddings, cultural programs and festivals. Mohini Devi group is also proficient at many other dances like Bhavai, Chari, Ghummar, Terah Taali and add on elements of fire shows and acrobatics in their performance. Spheres of Kalbeliyas act are divided: men plays instruments and women dance. The main instrument is Been -- an Indian woodwind instrument originally used to hypnotize snakes. It's both plaintive and seductive tones are accompanied by beats of Dhap and Dafli, creating very energetic and compelling rhythms. Dancers wear traditional black ankle-length skirt and top. Both are richly embellished with colorful strips and complemented with beautiful jewelry made from tiny pearls and silver hangings. Outfit completes a dupatta -- a long loose flowing stole pinned to dancers' heads. Kalbeliya dancers spinning fast, swaying their hips, swirling tassels and shawl can mesmerize viewer for long hours.

06-11-2014, 01:46 PM	#3
Genesis Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme on a varied spectrum/babygirl Preferred Pronoun?: she/her/hers Relationship Status: Loved ლ ⚢ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Devenir un avec l'immatérialité des étoiles... Posts: 9,439 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,606 Thanked 14,669 Times in 6,299 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	BBC The Lost Music of Rajasthan Imagine takes a road trip round the desert state of Rajasthan, meeting musicians whose existence is under threat from the new India. They meet Bhopa bards who recite four-night-long epics in front of huge hand-painted scrolls, saffron-clad, chillum-smoking sisters, cross-dressers and gypsy dancers who literally bend over backwards to pick up rupees.

06-14-2014, 03:28 PM	#4
Genesis Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme on a varied spectrum/babygirl Preferred Pronoun?: she/her/hers Relationship Status: Loved ლ ⚢ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Devenir un avec l'immatérialité des étoiles... Posts: 9,439 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,606 Thanked 14,669 Times in 6,299 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Dance Planet The Australian Ballet Natasha Kusen and Andrew Killian Photo by Paul Scala; Dance Planet

06-14-2014, 03:39 PM	#5
Genesis Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme on a varied spectrum/babygirl Preferred Pronoun?: she/her/hers Relationship Status: Loved ლ ⚢ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Devenir un avec l'immatérialité des étoiles... Posts: 9,439 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,606 Thanked 14,669 Times in 6,299 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Swan Lake - Tchaikovsky - Classical Ballet Swan Lake (Complete Ballet Representation) by Tchaikovsky Artists of the Maryinsky Theatre & The Orchestra of the Maryinsky Theatre Directed by Valery Gerg

06-14-2014, 03:58 PM	#6
Genesis Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme on a varied spectrum/babygirl Preferred Pronoun?: she/her/hers Relationship Status: Loved ლ ⚢ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Devenir un avec l'immatérialité des étoiles... Posts: 9,439 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,606 Thanked 14,669 Times in 6,299 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Helia Bandeh Persian dance, Helia Bandeh Photography Rob Elsjan

06-14-2014, 04:03 PM	#7
Genesis Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme on a varied spectrum/babygirl Preferred Pronoun?: she/her/hers Relationship Status: Loved ლ ⚢ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Devenir un avec l'immatérialité des étoiles... Posts: 9,439 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,606 Thanked 14,669 Times in 6,299 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Tanzfestival Münster Helia Klassisch Persischer Tanz & Flamenco Blanca Nieves Flamenco Blanca Nieves & Helia Persischer Tanz meets Flamenco in Mosaico - La Quinta Esencia Tanzfestival 2010