Can someone explain to me, - Page 2

Aisha Azar · 08-15-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nur Al Leyali

Well I am As a dancer begining in my career so to speak ... But In my opinion a dancers essence any dancer is what comes from inside your soul and radiates outward and what the audience percieves when they see a glemnce of your soul.... So the essence of belly dance really is what the essence of you in belly dance is ... If that makes any sence to you.

Dear Nur.
This is only true if you are not claiming to perform a dance that is something other than all about the dancer. Any dance has essence that has everything to do with the culture from which it originates, as well as what the individual dancer brings to the dance. Otherwise we would not be able to recognize one dance form from another, or have any definitive things to say about any specific dance. All dance would be based only on what radiated from inside an individual's soul and have no other markers for definition. Yes, belly dance is a form of solo musical interpretation, but when the music and the dance have a cultural affiliation, that needs to be honored. The essence of belly dance is cultural as well as personal. We may be the center of our own universes, but the dance lives outside of us as well as inside.
Regards,
A'isha

Nur Al Leyali · 08-15-2008, 06:07 AM

Really I couldnt agree more with Ayisha , But alot of times dancers choose a dance that they have had some kind of experiance with in the past maybe a culture facinated them or they viewed a dancer previously and they so chose the style for the culture which of course has an essence to ,,, How can it not . But what I was stating the essence of belly dance does not necisarily have to be a form or particular culture it should also come from with in you . you make the dance have essence ... a dancer can walk up and dance and be horrible and you will not know which dance or culture it comes from but if a dancer comes and dances and there dance radiates from there soul then the dance its self shows the essence because the dancer has put all of her self into the dance in most cases meaning she performed the dance to the best of her ability and allowed herself to be free in it . To me this is essence.

Mya · 08-15-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aisha Azar

Dear Mya,
I got a good laugh out of that!! How cute!! Can I feel free to steal it and use it if I give you credit???
Regards,
A'isha

LOL - i'm glad you enjoyed it. Knock yourself out with the usage.

kayshier · 08-15-2008, 12:47 PM

Thank you for your explanations!

I had some understanding of it, and the reason why i asked this was because in observing so many videos of various dancers i was able to note differences, so much so that i can now somewhat recognize egyptian style (primarily because it is what i am tuned into) as opposed to others..I too am not familiar with turkish but i have noted some of the differences in the lebanese style dance as opposed to egyptian.
(ok sorry for the lack of commas)lol

but my main reason for asking about this in this thread ties back into the previous thread about "what do we call the dance if its not belly dance"
I am really very concerned about that. I know its a whole lot more than the movement, its about understanding the music (which i have tried to do by first breaking down the structure of the music that i do have, and yes I have noticed some patterns)

My aim is to eventually-as best as is humanly possible for me to-learn egyptian style. I suppose I am wary of not being able to get the true essence of the dance, probably because it is something that comes from within, and is inherently tied in with exposure to the culture or experience.

maybe i worry too much.

Aniseteph · 08-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayshier

maybe i worry too much.

Me too - join the club...

Aisha Azar · 08-15-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayshier

Thank you for your explanations!

I had some understanding of it, and the reason why i asked this was because in observing so many videos of various dancers i was able to note differences, so much so that i can now somewhat recognize egyptian style (primarily because it is what i am tuned into) as opposed to others..I too am not familiar with turkish but i have noted some of the differences in the lebanese style dance as opposed to egyptian.
(ok sorry for the lack of commas)lol

but my main reason for asking about this in this thread ties back into the previous thread about "what do we call the dance if its not belly dance"
I am really very concerned about that. I know its a whole lot more than the movement, its about understanding the music (which i have tried to do by first breaking down the structure of the music that i do have, and yes I have noticed some patterns)

My aim is to eventually-as best as is humanly possible for me to-learn egyptian style. I suppose I am wary of not being able to get the true essence of the dance, probably because it is something that comes from within, and is inherently tied in with exposure to the culture or experience.

maybe i worry too much.

Dear Kayshier,
I think its really great that you ARE worried about it. I hope to see you dance one day because this kind of caring and caution are a good sign, as far as I am concerned.
Regards,
A'isha

Shanazel · 08-16-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

With Lebanese and Turkish i couldn't tell my assaya from my elbow

08-15-2008, 06:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Nur Al Leyali Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Moody , Alabama US Posts: 158	Really I couldnt agree more with Ayisha , But alot of times dancers choose a dance that they have had some kind of experiance with in the past maybe a culture facinated them or they viewed a dancer previously and they so chose the style for the culture which of course has an essence to ,,, How can it not . But what I was stating the essence of belly dance does not necisarily have to be a form or particular culture it should also come from with in you . you make the dance have essence ... a dancer can walk up and dance and be horrible and you will not know which dance or culture it comes from but if a dancer comes and dances and there dance radiates from there soul then the dance its self shows the essence because the dancer has put all of her self into the dance in most cases meaning she performed the dance to the best of her ability and allowed herself to be free in it . To me this is essence. __________________ Nur Al Leyalitmagill@ymail.com

08-15-2008, 12:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
kayshier Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 225	Thank you for your explanations! I had some understanding of it, and the reason why i asked this was because in observing so many videos of various dancers i was able to note differences, so much so that i can now somewhat recognize egyptian style (primarily because it is what i am tuned into) as opposed to others..I too am not familiar with turkish but i have noted some of the differences in the lebanese style dance as opposed to egyptian. (ok sorry for the lack of commas)lol but my main reason for asking about this in this thread ties back into the previous thread about "what do we call the dance if its not belly dance" I am really very concerned about that. I know its a whole lot more than the movement, its about understanding the music (which i have tried to do by first breaking down the structure of the music that i do have, and yes I have noticed some patterns) My aim is to eventually-as best as is humanly possible for me to-learn egyptian style. I suppose I am wary of not being able to get the true essence of the dance, probably because it is something that comes from within, and is inherently tied in with exposure to the culture or experience. maybe i worry too much.