Dance in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Dance consists of between 15-20 thousand movements by a performer, depending on the complexity of the dance.[citation needed].An Uzbek dance portrays a story, told by the flowing movements and rhythm. The lithe and expressive hands of a dancer raise and then interweave like two twigs of an almond tree, then one hand is above the head and the other is making swift movements around the body. A medieval poet wrote: "A dancing women! She is swiftly dancing, spinning like snow carried away by a whirlwind. Restless, she is spinning to the left and to the right".[citation needed]

There are three schools of dance in Uzbekistan: Khorezm, Fergana and Bukhara schools. Each one has its peculiarities and specific features.

Khorezm dance

Khorezm dance is well-known because of its fiery nature. The most popular of the dances is "Lazgi", which both young and old dance. The music consists of an introduction and main body including folk melodies. Six or eight dimensional flowers are portrayed. At the start, slow and simple dance movements are made with the fingers, wrists and shoulders, and then the whole body starts to move. The pace accelerates and becomes increasingly energetic. Men and women dance it very differently. At the present time, there are 9 types of dance in Khorezm: "Kairat lazgi" ,"Musical lazgi","Hey lazgi",

• "Kimni sevar yorisan" ("He loved the lighting") (K. Otaniyozov)
• "Loyiq" ("Suitable") (A. Otajonov and M. Rakhimov)
• "Sani o’zing bir yona"("You are another world")(O. Hayitova, B. Jumaniyozov)
• "Gal-Gal"(Come-come) (B. Hamdamov)
• "Parang Ro’mol"("Perfect Scarf") (O. Xudoyshukurov)
• "Khorezm lazgisi" (O. Otajonov)
• "O'yna-o’yna"("Dance-dance")(K. Rakhmanov)
• "Ajoyib"("Great") (T. Shomurodov) and others.

Sh. Ramazanov composed the tune of "Khorezm Qo’shig’i" ("The song of Khorezm")and M. Yusopov composed "Song of Khorezm", and the "Gulsanam" Ballet.

Fergana Dance

In contrast to the Khorezm fiery dance, the Fergana dance is fluent and lyrical, with smooth rounded movements of dancers’ hands which are able to tell a legend, to convey a range of human emotions in a picturesque way, or to describe the beauty of nature. An ancient dance, "Katta Uyin" (Big Game) or "Nagora Uyin" (Psaltery Game), is usually danced in large groups during popular holidays or weddings, and is accompanied by the following musical instruments: Nagora (Psaltery), Doira (Percussion), Karnai and Surnai (Wind).

Bukhara Dance

The Bukhara dance is complex and measured. Some monuments of the early middle ages portray this original art and its place in the life and culture of the residents of the Bukhara Region. On spring evenings, young girls used to meet in the yards with large pools (Khaus), and to dance around the pools, accompanied by simple musical instruments – Chang or Kobus. Women would also sit around the gatherings to make the accompaniment of wooden spoons and small Doira(Round) and Tambourine. Other Bukhara dances were accompanied by Kairaks, or Castanets (stone plates), and the dances with hand accompanied by Bells, or Zangs. Bukhara dances, such as the "Tanovar", are still popular in modern society. The "Tanovar" originated in the Fergana valley, and was performed as a chamber dance for a small, mainly female, audience. It was danced to the accompaniment of a lyrical folk song. Men sang "Tanovar" with the verses of Mukimi, a classic Uzbek poet from the end of the ninetieth and beginning of the twentieth century. Women performed the "Tanovar" using folk words. Such ancient Uzbek dances as "Dildor", "Zang", "Beshkarsak" and others continue to be staged at concerts and weddings.

The inheritance of the past was enriched by new dances reflecting a modern rhythm. "Wedding" is a dance suite performed by world renowned "Bakhor" and ,in a choreographic language, depicts a Uzbek wedding ceremony. A choreographic composition, "Silk – Warm Breeder",and a dance, "Holiday of Cotton", reflect the work of Uzbek peasantry.

Sources

• About "Tanovar"
• Central Asian dances
• Bukhara dances in ICH field