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Welcome to the Nepal Dance School, located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. NDS is dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and enrichment through the mediums of dance and music instruction, performances, and programs.
NDS is a member of CAPS, the Fairfax County Arts Council, Young Audiences of Virginia, and works with groups, such as IDEA, Indian Dance Educators Association, the India International School in Chantilly, Lorton Workhouse Center for the Arts, and the Fairfax Park and Recreation Department to bring the beauty of these arts to a wider audience, and in so doing, also help to perpetuate the long-standing traditions of Asian heritage. In addition to on-site student participation in dance and music that makes learning exciting and fun, our school programs easily integrate and complement SOL and other state requirements.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
What is a hasta mudra?
There are two types of hasta mudras, or hand signs, in Kathak dance. Asanyukt mudras use one hand; sanyukt mudras use both hands. The most commonly recognized asanyukt mudra is pataka, which keeps all of the fingers of the right hand straight, with the thumb touching the first finger.
A pataka can be used to show blessings, to stop someone, or to break something, and meanings vary from 'no' to representing the wind and a river.
Labels: hasta mudra, Q and A
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Where did Bollywood dance originate?
The origins of Bollywood lie in Urdu theater and street plays known as nautanki. Many of the basic steps, of which there are over seven hundred, are derived from classical Indian dance. Bollywood is a highly aerobic style of modern dance that has gained popularity primarily due to the explosion of Bollywood films across the globe. Today, many choreographers create a style of dance known as "fusion," which integrates steps from both classical and Bollywood dance.
Monday, April 20, 2009
What is a chakkar?
A chakkar is a fast spin. It requires good balance control, proper position, stamina, and speed to be correctly executed. Young dancers begin to practice chakkars at an early age, starting with a nine-count circle, then moving down in counts until they have perfected the circle of one. Experienced artists have been known to perform over one hundred continuous chakkars and then come to a complete and total stop. The chakkar is one of the famed elements in Jaipur Gharana Kathak dance.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
What is the namaskar we do at the beginning and end of each class, and what does it mean?
Dancers traditionally do the namaskar which is both a greeting and an invocation to the god, asking for help, and also forgiveness from Mother Earth for pounding on her. All dances are done barefoot, as leather is not worn by Hindus. There are many different forms and styles of namaskar, depending on the artist’s preference and training.
NDS Introduces “Haptako Prashna ra Uttar” – Weekly Question and Answer Segment
Join us every week for a new fast fact about dance, religion, culture, music, and heritage from the Himalayan region and the Indian subcontinent. We will explore the most commonly asked questions, and bring you unusual facts and interesting topics.
Labels: Q and A
Early Spring Update
For your convenience India International School and Workhouse classes are listed on our calendar. Fairfax County school-based Bollywood classes may be found in the ParkTakes magazine.
Lastly, we are pleased to announce that NDS is now offering a variety of instruments and accessories for sale. Also available are supplies for Kathak dance, including original music for artists of all ages and levels. Items may be purchased via PayPal or ordered onsite with one of our instructors.
Labels: bollywood, kathak, parktakes, purchase
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
New Location: Lorton Workhouse
Perhaps our most exciting news is the start of Nepal Dance School at the Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia. All classes and workshops will be conducted in wood-floored and mirrored professional dance studios. Classical Indian Kathak classes will taught on Sundays to live music. Ghungharoos (bells) will be available for purchase through NDS. Bollywood classes will be held on Tuesday afternoons and throughout Sunday as well. Tabla instruction will be starting early April for beginners and advanced students. Instruments may be rented or purchased from NDS for this class.
In addition, NDS is offering a number of Bollywood one day Workshops on Sundays throughout Spring and Summer. Dates and times can be found in the Workhouse catalog or online.
The Workhouse is offering a special bonus for people who register early! Please go here for exact times, fees, location, and registration details (either use the search function or click more->dance and browse for our classes). Printed catalogs are available upon request from the Workhouse, or from NDS at one of our current teaching locations.
