Skype in aid of Bharatanatyam pedagogy
Skype in aid of Constructive Developmental Pedagogy of Indian Classical Dance:
Bharatanatyam.
Introduction:
The study endeavours to explore the resourcefulness and accessibility
of Bharatanatyam, one of the ancient Indian classical dance forms, over Internet by using
Skype as the medium of communication to impart training. The dance form is to be learnt, experienced and shared over Internet, through e-learning. In today’s world, Internet has
become an integral part of our day-to-day life, we aim to harness the power of internet to
bridge the spatial gap between the teacher and the student. In this case the necessity for
on-line training arose, from the non-availability of teachers of the particular dance style in
close proximity to the students who were interested to pursue the training. The aim is to
observe how the learners understand and receive a particular cultural practice and explore
challenges related with distant learning. The group in consideration are girls in the age group
between 8-15 years, from Indian Community in a North American City. This exploration will
encourage future studies and practice based research in learning, experiencing and sharing
different kinds of performing arts all over the world without the limitation of accessibility
due to space and distance.
Statement of purpose:
Bharatanatyam is the oldest among the contemporary classical dance forms of India. The technique of the body movements can be traced back to the 5th Century
A.D. from the sculptural evidences in the Temples. However, it is in the nature of Indian
Classical dance forms, that they are ancient and classical at one level, and yet constantly grow and modify and assimilate new elements every day1. Bharatanatyam is one of the
many dance forms which is widely practiced and taught globally, through traditional oral
teaching methods. Restructuring the traditional classroom/ studio environment and also
Bharatanatyam.
Introduction:
The study endeavours to explore the resourcefulness and accessibility
of Bharatanatyam, one of the ancient Indian classical dance forms, over Internet by using
Skype as the medium of communication to impart training. The dance form is to be learnt, experienced and shared over Internet, through e-learning. In today’s world, Internet has
become an integral part of our day-to-day life, we aim to harness the power of internet to
bridge the spatial gap between the teacher and the student. In this case the necessity for
on-line training arose, from the non-availability of teachers of the particular dance style in
close proximity to the students who were interested to pursue the training. The aim is to
observe how the learners understand and receive a particular cultural practice and explore
challenges related with distant learning. The group in consideration are girls in the age group
between 8-15 years, from Indian Community in a North American City. This exploration will
encourage future studies and practice based research in learning, experiencing and sharing
different kinds of performing arts all over the world without the limitation of accessibility
due to space and distance.
Statement of purpose:
Bharatanatyam is the oldest among the contemporary classical dance forms of India. The technique of the body movements can be traced back to the 5th Century
A.D. from the sculptural evidences in the Temples. However, it is in the nature of Indian
Classical dance forms, that they are ancient and classical at one level, and yet constantly grow and modify and assimilate new elements every day1. Bharatanatyam is one of the
many dance forms which is widely practiced and taught globally, through traditional oral
teaching methods. Restructuring the traditional classroom/ studio environment and also
Bibliography: Setting’’, Research in Dance Education 14:1(2013), 20-38. Reader, 2nd ed. London: Routldege, 2010, 273-283. Routledge, 2010, 73-77. Press, 1999. Culture, Identities, ed. by Buckland, Theresa, USA, University of Wisconsin Press, 2006,123-152. Middleton, Wesleyan University Press, 2007. 10. Samson, Leela. Rhythm in Joy. New Delhi, Lustre Print Media Pvt. Ltd., 1987.