Bellydance as a true art form may sound alien to those who have often misconstrued it as a titillating dance form. But a group of articulate, inspired and masters of the craft have joined hands to uphold this dance form. The Bwitches International Bellydance Fusion Festival, which showcased its first edition last year in Mumbai, has been helping to debunk many myths surrounding this dance form.
“There is no problem with it being viewed as a sensual dance form but it is often misconstrued as a titillating dance form. Bellydancing is an advanced art form like almost all classical dance forms, with complex rhythms to fathom, intricate movements that takes several years of training to master while respecting the musicality, the culture, the stylisation. That’s why raising the bar itself by holding international festivals such as these are critical. They uphold the dance form as a true art form and hopefully the audience, over time, starts to appreciate this,” explains Leena Viie, fusion bellydancer and organiser of the festival, who is keen on awakening the community to what the art form is and keeping it true to its authenticity. Their flash mob held on International Women’s Day in Mumbai last year and uploaded on YouTube was a first of its kind. Affiliated to One Billion Rising (a movement to stop violence against women), it was a tribute to Nirbhaya. In fact, Leena was inspired to activism when she participated in the anti-rape protests in December 2012. Bwitchs saw its genesis in this movement.
This year, as their second edition will raise curtains in Goa, panel discussions will be an intrinsic part of the four-day festival. “Besides performances, we will conduct workshops and also have a panel discussion this year to talk about issues that we bellydancers face in India and around the world and how to resolve them and become truly a dance for the empowered by the empowered,” avers Leena.
Chosen for its tranquillity, Goa was the choice of venue for the second edition, which will see a host of International and Indian dancers, including five national and five international dancers each. “Egyptian style, Kathak fusion and workshops that will highlight these and other fusion forms will also be conducted,” Leena promises, while elaborating on the fusion concept. “The festival theme is fusion bellydance. Bellydance is a brilliant art form that wraps itself around a woman in ways no other dance form does. Women of all shapes, ages and skill can embrace this art form. Similarly bellydance is a great base for fusions. It is highly amenable to fusing with Indian Classical, Hip hop, contemporary, folk, burlesque… which makes it very exciting for those wanting to innovate and individualise the form to suit their persona. The music for fusion can range from typical bellydance music to almost anything else. Personally, I’ve even used Christina Aguilera’s ‘Tough Lover’ for one of my pieces. It can also be with live instruments,” she concludes.
(Bwitchs International Bellydance Fusion Festival will be held from March 11-14, 2016 at Nazri Resort and Tito’s Courtyard in Baga)
