‘Contemporary dance has no boundaries’, says Eddie Nixon

The definition of contemporary dance cannot be down to one line because it changes with time. It adapts and moulds itself over and over again to include newer discoveries and experiments in dance. Technically, contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. The emphasis of contemporary dance is on originality, innovation, creativity and interdisciplinarity.  

Chennai has a very vibrant and rich classical dance culture. It’s rooted in tradition and I understand it’s almost like a part of people’s lifestyle here. What is perhaps, most interesting is the way traditional forms of dance like Bharatnatyam have been preserved and celebrated despite the inception of newer and more western styles. 

One of the best things about contemporary dance is that it’s inclusive and malleable. Also, it has no boundaries, which means its potential and scope keep growing. Unlike the strict and structured nature of classical dance, contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation. Therefore, artists have freedom of movement, allowing their bodies to freely express their innermost feelings, which go a long way in conveying complex issues like sexuality and even political ideas.