To spectacle a mystic dance where you get blended with the performance in a trance like state is something else – an experience you can find only in Egypt. Their traditional Tanura dance, an artform that has been originated from sufi and Islamic mysticism.
The performers of this dance, to my surprise, were males. Something we do not get to see often in today’s world. They wore colorful skirts with bright colors, an important element of the whole act, which were creating beautiful patterns as the dancers moved in rhythm with the music. The music got intense with time, so did their moves, guiding the audience towards a timeless trance state with the mesmerizing visuals and the music.
A prominent move of the dance is swirling in a meditative state. The skills of the dancers will surely amaze the audience as they continue to swirl around each other for a long time. It represents the planets rotating around sun, reminding us of the connection of our physical world with the cosmos out there.
The hypnotic and fluid movement of the dancers inspire the audience to connect with the performance on a deeper level. They were bound to feel the spiritual energy around them, even if it was for a moment. The whole experience offers a glimpse into Egypt’s rich spiritual heritage, a reason to keep the tradition alive for centuries.
