Mysuru:  Dance is one of the best  means to spread a goodness message to the society and through it one should instil social values and humane qualities, said Prof. Shruthi  Bandopadhyaya, Head of the Department of Dance, Vishwabharathi University, Shanthiniketan in Kolkata.

She was speaking after inaugurating the International Dance Day celebrations organised by Karnataka State Dr.Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University at its premises in Lakshmipuram here yesterday and said though a global celebration of dance is an import from the West, the joy of expressing through dance is a daily ritual in our country. Indians had used dance as a form of expression to show unity with one another for ages.

Jean Georges Noverre is credited with pioneering the method of Ballet d’action and hence in his memory International Dance Day is celebrated to mark his birth anniversary. But in our country there are various dance forms in each part of the country as also pioneers in them, she said.

Egyptian Karima Mansour, a globally renowned dancer, said that the beating heart set the rhythm for dance and Indians have been doing this for centuries. Even Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore visualised dance on micro and macro scales, she added.

By celebrating International Dance Day like International Yoga Day, the dance art must be made more popular. Just like yoga is being practised in each and every house across the world, dance should also be celebrated in every household, said Nupura Kalavidaru Director Prof. K. Ramamurthy Rao.

Through such platforms the problems being faced by the dance community must be brought before the elected representatives and officials and thus fulfil the demands. Just like Rangayana, more funds and other facilities must be sought to enrich this art, he said.

Music University in-charge Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nagesh V. Bettakote, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. R. Rajesh, Finance Officer H. N. Gayathri and others were present.

Earlier, awards were presented to the winners of 2018-19 annual sports and cultural competitions and also South Zone Cultural competitions.

Later, the students of Music University and artistes of the renowned dance schools like Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre, Mysuru, Bharathanjali Centre’s Dr. Sheela Sridhar and troupe, Natya Kuteera Kalamandalam’s Suchitra Anil Kumar and troupe, Gurudeva Academy’s Dr. Chetana Radhakrishna and troupe and Sri Nritya Niketana’s Prasanna Lakshmi and troupe presented different classical, Janapada and western dance forms and entertained the audience.