Learning Outcomes: LO5-Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively // LO2- Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
On the 17th of August, I had my first rehearsal for a Diwali Function my condominium has. I live an in area that is majority Indians, and this means that every year for Diwali we have a get together amongst the residents to celebrate Diwali. For this occasions many groups come together to put on a song and a dance. I am in a group of 8 people in total, and we decided to come together and dance. We had our first rehearsal which was quite interesting.
We are rehearsing once a week for an hour for about 7 weeks. I would like to achieve my learning outcomes by diving in and giving 100% regardless of is I feel nervous or not. I would also like to develop new skills by sticking with the dances and trying to practice a little outside of class to make the steps and skills a little more natural to me.
We have a dance teacher who comes in and teaches us the choreography. It is quite an interesting experience because we have a range of skill in the room. I am a classically trained Indian dancer (in a style called Bharathnatyam), and one of my friends participating does not even want to be there! For this reason, we all have to work collaboratively to support each other and make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable. I have seen the benefits of working together as my friend is already becoming more engaged and through helping her I found myself invested in the dance also.
The dance style we are doing is known as Bhangra, which is common in North India and is very fast paced and flows. The dance style I learned, is a traditional style, meaning it is far more slow and precise in terms of movement and portrayal. Bhangra is a form of enjoyment where as Bharathnatyam is a means to convey story. I have undertaken a challenge of trying to flow with the music and be less conscious about my steps, because it is only by that method that I will truly enjoy myself. I have always been quite rigid with how I perform, focusing too much on the movements and others. This time, I am pushing myself to become connected with the music and stage, and focus on the energy rather than the mistakes.
Below is a short clip from our rehearsal ( I am second from the left, in black shorts):
