Dance proves a 'powerful learning tool'

Published on 06-03-2010

Summary: Cross-cultural dance lessons are a success in Lincolnshire countryside.

Children at William Farr, a comprehensive in Welton, Lincolnshire are being taught dance styles including bharatanatyam, kathak and other time-honoured south Asian styles.

Traditionally these techniques are employed as narrative aids and are being taught to year nine students at the Church of England school as part of the annual crosscurricular enrichment day, the Guardian reports.

Kala Sangam is a Bradford-based south Asian arts organisation that delivers nationwide lessons.

Chief executive Gheeta Upadhyaya said: "We support PE but also explore subjects such as maths through dance, looking at rhythm cycles and time signatures and bringing in elements of geometry and number patterns."

She commented that self-esteem, positivity and team-work are bolstered by the lessons as the students are expected to create something themselves.

Bharatanatyam is the oldest of ancient classical dances from south India and the most popular, according to bharatanatyam.co.uk, which also explains that the performers are predominantly women.

Posted by Clara Gasper

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