World Dance Day: A Pune dance teacher who went a step further to treat her ‘students’

The 65-year-old employs ‘Nrityaopchara’ , a form of dance therapy using Bharatanatyam movements, to teach and treat her ‘students’.

“Understanding how dance can channelise the energy and train the mind which in return increases attention span in students, Nrityaopchara started gaining popularity back in 1982-83,” recalls Date.

This journey commenced way back in 1976 when Date came across a student with a heart ailment. “l always look at these situations from an emotional point of view and put my knowledge to understand how the body can be treated with regulated movements,” Date told The Indian Express.

In the run-up to World Dance Day, Date has been holding multiple free-of-cost sessions for patients of arthritis, osteoporosis, insomnia, and cancer survivors. On April 29 another session will be organised for senior citizens to lead a fun-filled and healthy life.

While the day is celebrated to promote the creative form of dance, the therapeutic dimension was recognised by UNICEF and a 45-minute regimen can keep several ailments at bay, says Date. “This was a great coping mechanism during the Covid period for students, adults, and people,” she adds.

Two-day Nupurnaad music and dance festival

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The fourth edition of ‘Nupurnaad Music and Dance Festival’ will be held on April 30 and May 1 at Majenta Lawns on the DP Road in Erandwane. It will be inaugurated by Dr Bhagyashree Tai Patil, Pro-Chancellor of Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth in Pune. The entry is free on a first-come first-serve basis. The festival is organised by Bhairavi Sangeet Prasarak Mandal. “In the festival, we will present different elements of music, dance,” renowned Santoor player Dr Dhananjay Daithankar, Mandal president, told reporters. Mandal secretary and Bharatnatyam exponent Dr Swati Daithankar, Bharatnaytam dancer and actress Nupur Daithankar and Santoor player Ninad Daithankar were also present on the occasion.