Dance Forms and Classes in Panvel

In India dance is believed to be an art which connects a dancer to the supreme power and Natyashastra has the spirit of all four Vedas, as it forms as a combination of pathya, abhinaya, geet and rasa which are taken from the four Vedas. Most of the classical dances forms use mudras (hand gestures) depicting the mythological sagas.

From being an occasional performance, dance has become an art of entertainment performed for leisure. Folk dances are also supposed to be derived from traditional epics and each region has its own special style of folk dance. Panvel is no exception and delights in various dance styles.

In the classical category, Panvel amuses with Kathak and Bharatnatyam dance styles.

Kathak

This is one of the eight ancient Indian classical dances and the name supposed to be originated from the Sanskrit word katha. This dance form has the essence of temple and ritual dance and is influenced by Persian and Asian dance introduced by the royal courts during the Mughal reign. Ghoongroo is the essential accessory for Kathak, made of small bells woven along a thick string and tied around the ankles of the dancer.
Traditionally the costume of a Kathak dancers are of two types:

• Female dancers wear either a highly ornamented Lehanga-Choli or Anarkali Churidaar.
• Male dancers may wear a Dhoti with many pleats and a fan finish in front or a Kurta-Churidar. Kurta can be of the Anarkali style same as female costume.

The famous Spanish dance style Flamenco has strikingly similar style influence of Kathak. Kathak Yoga is common these days, which blends the high-spirited energy of a Kathak dancer with the meditative poise of Yoga.

Bharatnatyam

Another ancient dance form derived from the dance of Davdasis—the temple dancers. Now a days it is a widely performed dance style by both male and female dancers. Bharatnatyam is believed to be the depiction of one of the five major elements of human body—the element of fire. It is a solo dance performance and shows the feminine and masculine aspects by Lasya and Tandava enactments respectively.

Bharatnatyam female dancers wear a sari, which covers the lower part of the body in Dhoti style with an end forming a cross fan pattern. Male dancers wear a dhoti, which looks similar to the lowerpart of female costume. Female dancers wear headpieces, such as Chandrasuryam and Veni, along with other ornaments, such as earrings, necklace, waistband, armlets, wristlets, and bangles. Male dancers wear necklace, armlets and wristlets.

Few famous institutes for these classical dance styles are:

Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Maha Vidhyalaya Mandal
Address: Gandharva Niketan, Sector-9A, Plot No-5, Vashi, Navi Mumbai-400703
Phone Number: 0215-27659501/27662015

Dancing Passions
Address: Space Talent Studio, Sector -1, Next To ICICI Bank, Opp Apna Bazaar,
Vashi, Navi Mumbai – 400703
Phone Number: 022- 61614278

Tapasya Kala Foundation
Address: 5/29, Near Aaroja Complex, Aartist Village, Sector 8, Cbd Belapur, Navi Mumbai – 400614
Phone Number: 022- 71040999

DN Dance Academy
Address: Shop no.4,plot no.33/34,pushp sangam, Opp.manas tower,
Sector 12, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai – 410209
Phone Number: 09768651916

Popping Beats Studio
Address: Shop No 1, Plot No 59, Om Shiv Shankar Building, Next to Jeevan Jyoth Hospital, Sector 21, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai – 410209
Phone Number: 022- 61429007Folk Dance

Contemporary dance is widely holding the attention of people these days. However, the legendary folk dances are popular in Panvel region. The most known folk dance styles are Lavani, Lezim, and Gondhal.

Lavani

It is said that the name is derived from Lavanya, which means beauty. It is an influential and prevailing dance style, which deals with the various perceptions of romance, politics, society and religion. Lavani is performed on the beats of Dholki and is usually sensual and naughty in nature. There are two types of Lavani as per the performance—Phadachi Lavani and Baithakichi Lavani.

• The performance in front of a large audience in a theatrical atmosphere is known as Phadachi Lavani.
• The private performance for a selected audience is called Baithakichi Lavani.

Lavani can be a solo performance as well as a group performance. The lead dancer is always a lady and the supporting dancers can be ladies and men. The male dancers are called Nat or Kinnar. However, these days male dancers also started performing as a lead dancers but in the getup of a female to keep the essence of this dance style alive. The ladies performers wear a nine yard sari known as Navvari and jewelries including necklace, earrings, waistband, bangles, and anklets. The associated dance form with Lavani is known as Tamasha.

Lezim

It is an energetic and strong dance style and is frequently used as a fitness exercise by militias and schools. It is performed with the small jingling cymbals called Lezim. The name of this dance form has been derived from this wooden metal discs attached musical instrument. Dholki is also used as the main musical tool. It involves many calisthenics movements and performed in two or four people formation as well as a circular formation.

Gondhal

It is a dance performed by Gondhali people dedicated to mythological stories and folk legends. This is performed in a fixed convention, with circular and spinning movements along with the hand-gestures or mudras. It is performed on special occasions, such as marriage ceremony or a newborn in a family.
The known institutes for folk dance styles in Panvel are:

Happy Events
Address: 5, varad vinayak, sec-5, plot no.4, New Panvel, Navi Mumbai – 410206
Phone Number: 022-45205987

Tejashree Bobade
Address: Shop No 4, Pushpa Sangam Apartment, Plot No 34/ 35, Opposite Manas Tower, Near Mansarovar Railway Station, Sector No 12, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai – 410209
Phone Number: 022-45107951

Kala Z Dance Academy
Address: Green Fingers Global School, Sector 12, Nr. Shilp Chowk,
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai – 410210
Phone Number: 022-49183365

Tapasya Kala Foundation, DN Dance Academy and Dancing Passions also take classes for folk dance styles.