(noticia) Flamenco rhythms

G. JAYAKUMAR

Bettina Castano's flamenco performances use a variety of regional music thus setting it apart.

Reaching out: Bettina dancing to chenda melam.

THE Spanish dance Flamenco has a surprising Indian connection. It is believed that the dance was brought to Andalusia in southern Spain by gypsies from Rajasthan more than a thousand years ago. This dance form is very popular in southern Spain, especially in Seville.

The Flamenco dancer wears special shoes, Zapata, with high heels that she pounds rapidly on the floor to produce an exciting rhythm. In Spanish, this feet-percussion is called zapateado.

Handclaps, palmos, and finger snaps are sounded in tandem with the zapateados. Combining these with graceful arm movements called the braceo, the dancer expresses the mood of the song. Traditionally, a guitar provides accompaniment.

Blending cultures

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