Characteristics of Burmese Dance

Classical theater dance is a form of performance that combines poetry, music, and dance, in addition to being partly developed from the popular folk drama of the story of Buddha's birth, and partly re-created from the court drama that was introduced to Burma from Siam in the 18th century. The dances in these court dramas were later called "Siamese dances" and are an important part of modern Burmese classical dances. It is characterized by soft movements, bent joints; harmonious dance posture, expression and rhythm; symmetrical hand and foot modeling; no sudden pause between movements, continuous, gentle and calm, elegant and soft.

Burmese folk dance is based on a variety of drums. There are Shwebo drums, long drums, brother drums (double drums), short drums, elephant foot drums, back drums and other drums; most of them are produced in agricultural activities and religious activities. In addition, the folk also popularized the dance to express the idols of various gods and animals.

Myanmar's ethnic dances, each with its own characteristics, have a broad popular base. Whenever there are festivals, such as the Myanmar and Shan Water Festival, in addition to the performances of professional groups, urban and rural areas generally held mass singing and dancing competitions or celebratory performances. Another example is the Kachin's Munaw Festival and the Karen's New Year, when villagers sing and dance all night long.

Successive governments of post-independence Myanmar have conferred the title of "Famous Artist" on outstanding dancers, and schools of song and dance were set up in Yangon and Mandalay in 1952 and 1953, specializing in the training of modern Burmese dance talents.