Promoting Western dance forms over Indian- reality shows?

Most of the Indian dance reality shows tend to focus more on western artforms and completely ignore or do not promote Indian dance forms at all.





















Edited by enigmatic_zephy - 10 years ago

^^Apparently owing to lack of "sensuality" in Indian dance forms. Add to that the fact that a lot of Indian dances are seen as repetitive in steps and dance forms like "Kathhak" are viewed as non-masculine.😆 Also, not to forget "Colonial Hangover". 

Indians have fascination with anything foreign.

Indian dance forms are not given much preference even in films.

Western dance forms are "sexier" and involve skimpy clothing that viewers find titilating.

Folk, tribal and classical dances are beautiful but not at all given attention. DD still shows these programs. But satellite TV has ignored them.

I know many desi middle class viewers don't get Rumba, Salsa and other dance forms and keep wondering if the acts in reality shows are circus or dance. But because of presence of popular film and TV stars and lack of other alternatives, they keep watching these shows and give them ratings.

Given the kind of movements and expressions we have been given in films since the 80s, dance is no more an art but more of masti (and that masti involves titilation as well).

Nothing Indian is preferred nowadays. Foreign locations, foreign brands, actresses with foreign accent/foreign origin are the order of the day in the name of new, "globalised" India.

I agree...I was watching Jhalak Dikhlaja and I realized that they were COPYING Dancing with the stars. We are we not proud of our culture? There are western countries actually doing Indian dancing! Why are we trying to be more western or what some call "modern"? Why are we being a wanna be? Be proud of who you are!

Here's a video of an American dance show, a group is dancing on "Dholna":
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pNBN78Q054[/YOUTUBE]

It's amazing...how others praise our culture but we are ashamed of it...

rsvd.

In my perspective, it has never really been about western or eastern. It is simply a matter of ignorance and pop culture. Have them perform classic Viennese Waltz or Russian Ballet, the audiences will snooze and drone just as easily. Even in the case of pop music, there is the claim that "western" music is overrated and obsessed over. In reality, it is just pop music. No one is raving about more traditional forms of western music like symphony orchestra, opera or gospel as the hip and happening thing.  There is a tendency to gravitate towards forms that are being popularized in modern culture as being hip, cool and innovative.

 

These dance shows on television are a commercial enterprise. Everything is bread and circuses to get audiences glued and enthralled. No one gives a damn about the actual culture, art and history of the dance forms. Even the lesser known western folk forms like Polka or River dance or Line dancing are forgotten. We have people tripping over hip hop and jazz - acting cool with bling because that's what pop artists do, but no one knows the cultural relevance of these art forms or the history behind them. Rumba, Paso Doble, Samba , Salsa are promoted as sexual, exciting, enthralling etc, but it ignore how these dance forms are viewed in Latin culture.

 

Sad but true, Indian dance forms are not promoted at all in these shows. But I don't think western dance forms are promoted either. Yes, they are packaged and commercialized. But I feel that the actual "art of dance" is being demeaned and demoted. Even some Indian folk forms like Bhangra or Dandia that do get popular lose their "meaning" and just become "commercial endeavors".

Edited by BirdieNumNum - 10 years ago

Colonial Hangover is the only world.

You answered all your own questions! What do you want us to answer? 😆 These shows are in it for the money, so, naturally, they serve what pleases the masses. Shows like Jhalak are not exactly dance shows either - what they promote as "Western" forms would probably make the Westerners cringe! I think the only form they have truly learned is contemporary - and they do it over. and over. and over. 

Edited by Vinzy - 10 years ago