Today we celebrate International Dance Day — a tribute to the art that speaks with the body and touches the soul, valuing its beauty as a universal expression capable of conveying emotions, telling stories, preserving cultures, and transforming societies around the world.
Indian dance is one of the oldest and richest art forms in the world, carrying centuries of tradition, spirituality, and symbolism in its movements. With a strong connection to Hindu spirituality, many classical Indian dances, such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Kathakali, emerged as forms of devotion and storytelling of sacred narratives. India is also known for its vibrant folk dances and its modern, contagious style. Each gesture, facial expression, and posture has a specific meaning, conveying deep emotions and messages through every movement.
One of its unique features is Indian printed fabrics. These textiles are known for their richness in colors, detailed patterns, and cultural symbolism, widely used in the traditional clothing of Indian dances. Produced with artisanal techniques such as block printing and hand-painting, fabrics like the traditional sari not only beautify the body but also tell stories and express regional identities. Among the most popular are printed cotton, embroidered silk, and chiffon with golden embellishments. Interestingly, this textile tradition dialogues with Brazilian culture through the famous chitas, cotton fabrics printed with vibrant colors, widely present in folk festivals and also carrying the joy, symbolism, and tradition of the people.
In March 2023, dancer and choreographer Sonia Galvão arrived in Lyon for the first time, bringing with her beautiful silk saris and some Brazilian confetti. With over 30 years of training in Indian Odissi Dance and 20 years of experience as a teacher and choreographer between Brazil and India, Sonia presented the performance “Mangalam à Chintz”alongside Deborah Rocha, and offered workshops at Yoga is Now. These events were part of the Fio Mouvements program, in partnership with the Do Fio da Seda project, created by Deborah, who has practiced Indian dance for over 15 years. In 2019, this same program was also responsible for bringing Indian dancer Sandhyadipa Kar to France for the first time. She is a direct disciple of Kelucharan Mohapatra, a renowned master of the Odissi style.
Fábio Namatame was the Brazilian costume designer who brought originality to the creation of the outfits, using chitainstead of the traditional silk usually used in India. The costume was based on the traditional Odissi attire, reinterpreted with tropical "chintz" and enhanced with a large flared skirt inspired by the clothing of baianas, women from Afro-Brazilian dances.
Despite the geographical distance, there is a deep connection between the two cultures. Both use color, patterns, and textiles as a form of artistic expression and cultural identity. Whether in the vibrant Indian saris or the joyful Brazilian chitas, history is told in every print, revealing a people who carry in their fabrics the captivating soul of their land.
Créditos: Credits: Photographer Fábio Chelini
Sources: Sources: Wikipedia, Casa da Índia, Clássico dos Clássicos, Nova Brasil, personal archive images, and Freepik.
