CHAPTER-14
DANCE WITH NATURE
Have you ever seen a dance of
nature? What kinds of movements are
there in nature? When do they occur?
And yes! Your surrounding is filled
with many kinds of dancing elements.
Nature also has its own special dance
movements.
Activity 1 Nature and Body
Movements .
Activity 1 : Nature and Body Movements
Using your hands, arms and body, try to show the movements in smooth and flowing
ways, similar to the gentle movement you
see in nature.
Nature has lots of trees and flowers. They
have different shapes too! Observe your
surroundings—
• Animals, birds, butterflies, and insects.
• How does an elephant walk, how does a
monkey behave?
• Using your full arms, taking long steps,
moving your body, try to copy their actions.
Let us put in steps and rhythm to
our actions. You can create music from
your voice.
Activity 2 : Nature and Rhythmic Movement
Choose any bird, animal or an element
from nature.
Show the movements using your large
and tiny parts of the body.
For example, show how a peacock
dances rhythmically in 4 beats in a soothing manner:
• Move your head front and back.
• Spread out both your hands.
• Walk on your toes
Activity 3 : Story of Nature in Dance
Now it is time to have fun all together.
Are you ready?
Choose your favourite theme from nature.
For example,
• Seasons like summer, monsoon, winter, spring.
• A day out in the forest.
• Heavy rain. In changing seasons, you can show:
• Sun for summer— with a circular motion and a tired body.
• Wind for winter— swing your hands side to side.
• Rain and storm for the monsoon— big steps with turns and spins.
• Playing Holi in the spring, according to your likes.
Tell a story of nature through dance. Again, this needs a lot of coordination and understanding between each other.Can you remember any folk dance that you have learnt about earlier?
Let’s start
Activity 4 : Dancing to a Regional Song
Do you know any of the regional songs
sung in different parts of our country?
Can you create a dance on that song
with your friends?
• Identify the beats.
• Try to create your steps for the
particular regional dance.
• Put together solo, duet or group
dance performances.
How about performing this dance in
the school assembly?
Then let us practice, practice and practice. There are different types of regional
dances in our country. We can all
watch some of these dances in our
important festivals or events.
How did you feel after experiencing the above activities?
Most of the folk
dances are performed
in a group.
Every folk dance has
a proper theme.
Folk dances are
performed during
rituals, get-togethers,
celebrations, etc.
Folk dances are
performed by all
together.
