Traditional dances

1. India – Barathanatiyam
a. Oldest of all classic dances from India, 5th Veda from temples of Tamil
Nadu (beginning of the common era)
b. danced with classical Indian music
c. has its inspirations from the sculptured of the ancient temple of
Chidambaram

d. Bha-Bhaya (Expression)
e. Ra-Raga (Music)
f. Ta-Tala (Rhythm)
g. well known because of its grace, purity 纯洁, tenderness 柔软, and

sculptures 雕像 que poses

h. Who dances Bharatanatyam is said to be the celestial 天国 dancers,

apsara’s 观音
i. Graceful moves, expression and statuesque poses, the dance has
spiritual symbolism to it
j. Usually accompanied by Carnatic vocals and music
k. Dance moves, need to emphasize on many techniques such as
elaborate neck and eye movement
l. Head Movements (Shirobhedas): Sama, Udhvahita, Adhomukha,
Alolita,Dhutam, Kampitam, Paravruttam, Utkshiptam and

Parivahitam.

m. Neck Movements (Grivabhedas): Sundari, Tirashchina, Parivartita,

Prakampita

n. Eye Movements (Drishtibhedas): Sama, Alolita, Sachi, Pralokita,

Nimilite, Ullokita, Anuvritta, Avalokita

2. Malay – court dance, folk dance for West Malaysia, Folk dance for East
Malaysia
a. Court dance
i. Started as entertainment for the Royal Households of Malaysia
ii. Style is very graceful, movement are slow, sustained and
controlled.
 b. Folk dance
i. associated with joyous occasions for the community
ii. popular but origin are unclear
iii. use hand-held props that are easily recognisable
iv. can be traced to animistic beliefs and rituals
v. simply yet beautiful.
vi. style appears to be without tensions or muscular action and
fairly relaxed
vii. dance movement often depicts nature, life in jungle, movement
of birds and others
viii. differences between East and West : dancers, musicians and
musical instruments
c. Joget
i. 16th century, Ronggeng introduced to Malays in Malacca
ii. Branjo & Farapeirra (Protugues folk dance)
iii. Quick-paced famous dance throughout Malaysia, Sumatera,
Borneo & Riau Archipelago
iv. Redeems a catchy beat & cheerful combination of both hands
and legs moving at a fast pace
v. Known as Rentak Lagu Dua = interaction between couples in
portraying song with aliveness & cheerfulness
vi. Music and dance portrays a hybrid character
vii. Instrument used during the performance: Violins and framed
drum
viii. Other textures: gong and pantun (malay poetry) & basic
techniques are indigenous
ix. Exp of Joget music: Joget Asam Kana, Joget Istan Lukut,
Joget Songkok Mereng.
3. Chinese- fan dance , lion dance
a. Fan dance
i. start out as ceremonial rituals 仪式
ii. used at ceremonies and Chinese celebrations (such as Moon
Cake Festival, Chinese New Year)
iii. fan are recognized 确 认 as good luck charms 象 征 and
expressions 表示 of generosity 慷慨.
 iv. feather fans and silk fans are used in the dance that began
since the Han Dynasty, c. 206 BC
v. Type of fans: floding 折扇, feather 羽毛 and silk 丝绸
vi. represent beauty, grace, skill, tradition, delicacy 精 美 and
history
vii. express feelings of joy
viii. consists constant changing of rhythms and body positions
ix. hold them in both hands while bending your knees a little
x. held 握 your arms out to each side.
xi. Fluttering 飘动 the fans while raising them above your head
and lowering to the side,
xii. this step will bring out a little a flower-shaped pattern.
xiii. This step may be repeated throughout the choreography 舞艺
by facing different directions or including walking steps and to
give different kinds of act.
xiv. As the choreography varies, the specific techniques of
opening, closing and fluttering the fans remains to show
the continuous flower-shape.
xv. After lowering the arms while fluttering the fans, slowly bring
your hand towards the front to show another pattern.
xvi. With a count of 8, open and close the fans by turning your
wrists 手腕.
xvii. Repeat the steps for another 8 counts. After that, continue the
dance by tilting 倾斜 your upper body to one side while raising
one side of your arm overhead while the other arm to the side,
remember to keep fluttering the fans throughout the arm and
torso 未完成 position changes to maintain a particular pattern
of movement. Lower arms back to the start position with arms
to the side.
xviii. The following step is to again bend your knees, moving up and
down, while fans are held close together and arms are
outstretched 延伸 in front of you to show a waving pattern, turn
your torso to the right and left too. After that, raise your arms
abruptly 突然 overhead while crossing one fan in front of the
other.
 xix. Hold this position for a few seconds as this pose represents
power. The dance will either continue with new positions or
repeat the positions introduced earlier.
b. Lion Dance
i. traditional Chinese dance

ii. It mimics 模仿 the movements of a lion in a lion costume.

iii. operated by 2 persons.

iv. One controls the head, one control the body.
v. The lion is believed to be a guardian 守护者 creature 生物.

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/cultural-studies/traditional-dancing-cultures-of-
malaysia-cultural-studies-essay.php

https://tsnra.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/4-cultural-dances-of-malaysia/