Indian Dances Workshop

To improve my flamenco dancing skills, I went to an Indian Dances Workshop today. You might wonder why Indian dances have anything to do with flamenco, but it's said that Kathak dance from North Idia is the route of flamenco dance. The workshop included not only Kathak but also Odissi and Mohiniyattam - and I liked Odissi the best! It's a very sensual, elegant and expressive dance. I enjoyed the other two as well, and actually found Kathak had some similarities to flamenco, especially its complicated footwork, but if I have a chance to take up a class, I'd like to go for Odissi.

All three were so difficult for me, as most of the movements were completely new to me. I even felt flamenco was much easier, although I'm far from perfect in flamenco. But it was fun! The teachers were also very nice and funny. We did not only have a go at simple choreographies but also did learn some facial expressions as an important factor in the dances. That's what I need to work hard on actually - I'm always said that my poor facial expression spoils the whole impression of my flamenco dance... I don't know if I will take a class of any Indian dance, but I'm happy to have broaden a little of my dancing experience!