Sunday 24 January 2016

Brazilian Samba: A Fascinating Overview for You

Think of Brazil and the two things which immediately come to your mind are its popular soccer and enigmatic samba dance.  While some other dance forms do exist in Brazil, samba is the one aspect, which has become inextricably intertwined with the country’s culture and lifestyle.

Brazil comes alive especially during the carnival time as people sway to Samba beats. A large number of tourists too throng there for an up–close view of the great Rio carnival. Here is for you a fascinating overview of one of the most alluring world dance forms of all time.

History of Samba dance and music

This old Brazilian style of dance finds its root in a pre-Lenten feast of Portuguese settlers of Brazil of the eighteenth century. As a part of the annual celebration, Samba has been performed as a street dance ever since 1723.

The modern carnival is an occasion for Samba to be performed in different styles; but of them all Samba No Pe is considered the oldest; it has evolved into various styles to match different cultures and races. Samba is no more considered just a dance form. It has rather become the country’s pride, which Brazilians honor and protect with their heart and soul.

Fascinating Samba dancers

You just can’t explain in one word what’s so fascinating about Samba dancers! It is difficult to say which aspect of the dance is the source for that fascination – their graceful moves and awesome talent, or lavishly beaded and sequined gorgeous attires, or unique themes, or the overall grandeur. Well, it is actually a balanced blend of all these aspects and a few more elusive ones.

Samba steps are not as easy and simple to master, as they may appear to be at first sight: dancers need to devote considerable time and attention to hone in on achieving a certain level of mastery over this art form.

Gorgeously designed Samba costume with beads, sequins and feathers is yet another reason why you can’t take your eyes off the dancers. They dance so gracefully and lively that after some time you wouldn’t even notice their skimpy attire fading into the background: it is the dance and not the dancer that would be so very absorbing!

Stimulating Samba dance steps

Mainly focusing on hip and knee movements, Samba dance steps can be extremely stimulating and exciting. Learning the steps can be real fun. Beginners can try out Walking Samba as it is easy to master. Samba No Pe, the oldest style is still considered the most popular street dance, which is performed during the carnival.

Volta step is more technical as it involves complete knee bounce and walking movements. Apart from these, there are various other forms like Samba tempo, solo dance on your own or with the crowd and some titillating moves performed by female dancers to emphasize the symmetry of their body especially their well-pronounced curves.

Unique Samba instruments

Traditional musical instruments like 4-String Banjo, Agogos, Cuica, Ganza, and Pandeiro are typically used to build up quick tempo and magical beats. Sometimes these are accompanied by saxophone, drum set, acoustic guitar, keyboard, tambourine, and trumpets too. Mostly these instruments are used to create high-pitched or deeply vibrating music and driving rhythm.

A dance form which requires constant and scintillating movement, Samba is a sure way to keep you fit and healthy. And not to overlook the fact that you get exposed to a very captivating Brazilian culture, mesmerizing Samba dance moves take you into a completely different realm, which you will cherish forever!