Dancing with Space and Rhythm

The Journey of being a Choreographer

Manjima Dutta

5/30/20233 min read

Dance, as an art form, has the remarkable ability to captivate and communicate through the fluid movements of the human body. For me, the canvas of space becomes the playground, and rhythm becomes the guiding force. In this blog, I will delve into the personal journey of being a passionate choreographer who discovered the joy of choreography at a tender age and how it shaped the artistic expression and growth.

I am here to write as I have explored the significance of space, motion, rhythm, and the intrinsic connection between dance and self-discovery.

Finding Joy in Choreography:

At mere ten years old, I did embarked on a journey that would forever change my life. Initially drawn to choreography by the sheer enjoyment it brought, then found myself enthralled by the process of merging my own steps with the melodies that I heard. Not too far from the experience I gathered by witnessing some of the exclusive choreographies on TV, it made me excited more to test it rather. Moreover, It was not only the technicality or difficulty of choreography that motivated me but also the sheer pleasure of harmonizing with the music and creating something unique. Thus, it began.

Space as a Language:

As the young one, I continued to explore the art, making & habiting myself to realize the importance of space in dance. Space is not merely an empty void; it naturally becomes a language that choreographers use to express their intentions. The thoughtful utilization of space, along with the reciprocal relationship between the dancer and the environment, transforms choreography from simple steps to ornate masterpieces. This realization propelled me to develop a keen sense of spatial awareness, enabling me to communicate ideas more effectively in my practice sessions & later on on stages.

Rhythm as the Guiding Force:

Rhythm, as we all know the heartbeat of dance, plays a pivotal role in choreography. It serves as the guiding force, dictating the tempo, accentuating movements, and bringing synchronicity to the performance. It's all in the choreographer's ability to travel with rhythmic steps while signaling the space around each dancers that allows for optimum utilization of the stage. Through experimentation and exploration, I slowly learned to manipulate rhythm to create variations in my choreography, constantly challenging myself to find the best expression of a given song.

The Journey of Self-Discovery:

Then, Unbeknown to myself, the passion for dance was gradually becoming a catalyst for my personal growth. Living and breathing the music, discovered the depths of my own creativity and embarked on a journey of self-exploration. The act of choreographing became an avenue for me to explore my own shades of mayhem, to push boundaries, and to compose a narrative through movement. This deep connection between art and self-expression became an essential part of my being, expanding horizons and shaping my identity.

Through experiences, I learnt a vital lesson: art is not confined to a specific realm or moment in time. It is an essential part of our being, always omnipresent and waiting to be embraced. Encouraging everyone to seize opportunities to encompass art whenever conceivable, to find joy in self-expression, and to explore the unique ways in which art can bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives.

The journey of being one is a testament to the transformative power of dance. Through exploration of space, motion, and rhythm, I would humbly like to believe that somehow I have unlocked new dimensions of artistic expression and self-discovery within my realm. From the early days of choreographing with my mother to the realization that dance is a conduit for personal growth, believing the narrative of this story serves a bit of inspiration to embrace the art within us all. So let us dance with space and rhythm, allowing ourselves to be transported to a realm where movement becomes a language and the body becomes an instrument of expression.