The word 'Presentational Movement' attempts to correct the wrong assumptions that students

usually have regarding this class. Students often think that this class teaches dance to their students.
However, this is not true as Presentational Movement does not teach dance but uses the elements
and fundamentals of dance to explain origins of gestures we commonly use and teach us elegance
and beauty in everyday gestures.
One example of this phenomena is that we were taught many basic gestures such as pathaka, ardha
pathaka, shikara etc which were basically different configurations of your fingers and palms. But
each of them had so many different meanings assosicated with them. For example, in one class we
brainstormed about 30 meanings that can be signified with the gesture pathaka. This was
fascinating because we were able to classify many of our everyday gestures under one category and
the power of these gestures (which were considered basic in classical dance). During that class, sir
also did two versions of each meaning: one that was used in everyday life and the other to represent
that movement in the form of a dance. The dance form was always more expressive, elaborate and
faithful to the meaning of the gesture. This explains why the medium of dance is very useful in
enhancing the quality of our gestures as dance can teach us many creative ways of expressing
ourselves.
Classes regarding posture were also useful in enhancing our body language. Sir gave us some very
valuable tips regarding this factor. For example, he once told that to maintain total control and focus
over one's body it is essential to control the anal muscles and the abdomen. This will help in
controlling the hip and all of the weight is taken over by the torso. This is useful for two reasons:
the symmetry of their body that one demonstrates is very pleasing to the viewer and it applies less
pressure to the other parts of the body. This helps a lot in improving the poise of one's body.
Presentational Movement also teaches us various ways to express onself through various forms of
dance. Various forms of dance are used for various purposes. Manipuri dance is used for cherishing
the memory of Krishna, Katak is used for telling a story, Mohiniattam is used for demonstrating a
lady's sexuality, Koodiyattam is used as a theatric dance form for Hindu mythologies etc. Not only
are we exposed to how to perform these dance but also understand the various ways movement can
signify different meaning.
Finally, the word Presentational Movement itself constitutes these meanings. To correct a popular
misunderstanding, dance is extremely rigorous than what we do in class and usually involves only
physical training. But, Presentational Movement tells us the power of its 'movements', assuming
control over one's body to enhance the presentation of movements and various ways movements
(the various dance forms) can be used to demonstrate different meanings. It is a powerful word that
is faithful to the objectives of the class.