Research shows that dance has the potential to offer instructional support. The teaching of English presents excellent example, with dance instruction illuminating and enriching the learning of the language. Divyaa Jaya Selan draws observations from the Bharatanatyam of her passion and her Diploma in Education (TESL) studies at Management and Science University (MSU).
Natya means dance, and the mnemonic bharata comprising bha for bhava, ra for raga, and ta for tala respectively stands for feelings, framework for the musical notes, and rhythm. Bharatanatyam thus connotes a harmonious expression of emotions, theme, and tempo.
Engaging every part of the body from the head to the feet, Bharatanatyam is characterized by the dancer’s fixed upper torso, bent legs, flexed knees, and fancy footwork; as well as language signed by the hands, the eyes, and the face muscles.
With a range extending across all aspects of human life and the universe, the hand gestures enable poetic expression of practically anything and everything. Beware the Bharatanatyam dancer, it has been said, for knowing how to talk without uttering a single word.
The dancer’s attire, hair, and make-up collectively emphasize. Whilst red liquid draws attention to the hands and feet, eye shadow matching the dress highlights the eye expressions. The dress comprises a blouse, a pyjama, a pleated fan at the waist, and a drape. A jewelry ensemble completes it with ear-rings, a choker, a long necklace, bangles in colours that again match the dress, and anklets with metallic bells. In the hair is a string of flowers that are usually white, also a braid, and moon-shaped and sun-shaped ornaments.
A challenge that Divyaa loves is in choreographing the story to be told, which demands mastery of both gestural and postural expressions in the storytelling. Bharatanatyam repertoires, as with other classical dances, include a pure dance, a solo expressive dance, and a group dramatic dance. Its modern adaptations present characters in choreographies created for amazing audience experience.
“It builds me physically and mentally, and instills a respect for self as well as others and our surroundings,” says the DTESL student.
Besides weekend Bharatanatyam lessons and practices, Dancer Divyaa who is in her final year on DTESL and approaching internship currently divides her time between PEC and GEmS activities on and off campus; as well as full-time classes at MSU’s School of Education and Social Sciences (SESS), where she plans to progress to Bachelor in Education – TESL (Hons). A member of the Indian Cultural Association (ICA) at MSU, she hopes to master more about her heritage art in India, and dreams of eventually opening her own dance academy.
“To combine my passion for Bharatanatyam with my MSU education in the Teaching of English as a Second Language would be an enriching, life-transforming experience I look forward to.”
MSU Bachelor in English Language and Literature Studies (Hons)
MSU Diploma in Translation and Interpreting
MSU Bachelor in Accessories Design (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Fashion Design with Marketing (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Music Performance (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Music (Composition and Arranging) (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Music Technology (Hons)
.jpg)
Research shows that dance has the potential to offer instructional support. The teaching of English presents excellent example, with dance instruction illuminating and enriching the learning of the language. Divyaa Jaya Selan draws observations from the Bharatanatyam of her passion and her Diploma in Education (TESL) studies at Management and Science University (MSU).
Natya means dance, and the mnemonic bharata comprising bha for bhava, ra for raga, and ta for tala respectively stands for feelings, framework for the musical notes, and rhythm. Bharatanatyam thus connotes a harmonious expression of emotions, theme, and tempo.
Engaging every part of the body from the head to the feet, Bharatanatyam is characterized by the dancer’s fixed upper torso, bent legs, flexed knees, and fancy footwork; as well as language signed by the hands, the eyes, and the face muscles.
With a range extending across all aspects of human life and the universe, the hand gestures enable poetic expression of practically anything and everything. Beware the Bharatanatyam dancer, it has been said, for knowing how to talk without uttering a single word.
The dancer’s attire, hair, and make-up collectively emphasize. Whilst red liquid draws attention to the hands and feet, eye shadow matching the dress highlights the eye expressions. The dress comprises a blouse, a pyjama, a pleated fan at the waist, and a drape. A jewelry ensemble completes it with ear-rings, a choker, a long necklace, bangles in colours that again match the dress, and anklets with metallic bells. In the hair is a string of flowers that are usually white, also a braid, and moon-shaped and sun-shaped ornaments.
A challenge that Divyaa loves is in choreographing the story to be told, which demands mastery of both gestural and postural expressions in the storytelling. Bharatanatyam repertoires, as with other classical dances, include a pure dance, a solo expressive dance, and a group dramatic dance. Its modern adaptations present characters in choreographies created for amazing audience experience.
“It builds me physically and mentally, and instills a respect for self as well as others and our surroundings,” says the DTESL student.
Besides weekend Bharatanatyam lessons and practices, Dancer Divyaa who is in her final year on DTESL and approaching internship currently divides her time between PEC and GEmS activities on and off campus; as well as full-time classes at MSU’s School of Education and Social Sciences (SESS), where she plans to progress to Bachelor in Education – TESL (Hons). A member of the Indian Cultural Association (ICA) at MSU, she hopes to master more about her heritage art in India, and dreams of eventually opening her own dance academy.
“To combine my passion for Bharatanatyam with my MSU education in the Teaching of English as a Second Language would be an enriching, life-transforming experience I look forward to.”
MSU Bachelor in English Language and Literature Studies (Hons)
MSU Diploma in Translation and Interpreting
MSU Bachelor in Accessories Design (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Fashion Design with Marketing (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Music Performance (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Music (Composition and Arranging) (Hons)
MSU Bachelor in Music Technology (Hons)