Renowned dancers come together for International Dance Day

International Dance Day (April 29) is a worldwide event that celebrates all genres of dance. It is commemorated through active promotion by the International Dance Council (CID). The day was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. The date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet master.

Aiming to increase awareness on dance among the general public, the objective for the annual observance is to persuade governments and politicians all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education and to realise its potential for economic growth. It also celebrates bringing together people of different cultures, and understanding unity in diversity.

There are numerous events across the globe such as open-door-courses, exhibitions, dance evenings, street shows, and special performances to mark the day.  Every year, a message from a well known dancer is circulated throughout the world. This year, South African dancer, choreographer, actor and dance educator Gregory Vuyani Maqoma  gave the message. Maqoma became interested in dance in the late 1980s as a means to escape the political tensions growing in his birthplace, Soweto. The artiste is respected for his collaborations with artistes Akram Khan, Vincent Mantsoe, Faustin Linyekula, Dada Masilo, Shanell Winlock, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Nhlanhla Mahlangu and James Ngcobo.

As this year's celebration is different due to the coronavirus pandemic, dancers around the world will perform from their homes. More than 75 renowned dance gurus, choreographers and dancers from all over the world are coming together to mark the occasion. A special video of their diverse performances will go on air tomorrow on Facebook and YouTube.

 Eminent dance exponents Pandit Birju Maharaj, Bimbavati Devi, Priti Patel, Ananya Chatterjee, Lubna Marium, Dr Urmimala Sarkar, Saswati Sen, Sweety Das Chowdhuri and others will be featured in the video.