RHYTHMOSAIC
Knowing the Sacred
Cursive Body is a contemporary movement language and pedagogic framework developed by Dr. Shambik Ghose and Dr. Mitul Sengupta, directors of Rhythmosaic Dance Company.
Rather than being a single performance, it is a "living document" of training and artistic philosophy.
1. The Core Philosophy: "Cursive" as Flow
The name "Cursive Body" serves as a metaphor for the way movement should be linked—much like cursive handwriting. In traditional or classical forms (like Kathak), movements can sometimes be seen as discrete "letters" or symbols. Ghose’s method focuses on the connective tissue between those points, emphasizing:
* Fluidity and Continuity: Avoiding rigid stops and allowing one movement to bleed naturally into the next.
* Embodied Utterance: Treating the body as a voice that "speaks" through motion rather than just executing steps.
2. The Hybrid Approach
One of the most praised aspects of Ghose’s and Sengupta's work is the seamless integration of disparate styles. His background is a blend of:
* Indian Kathak: Bringing rhythmic complexity and traditional storytelling.
* Western Classical Jazz and Contemporary: Bringing athletic geometry and floor work.
Reviewers and scholars often note that "Cursive Body" does not look like a "fusion" where styles are simply glued together. Instead, it creates a hybrid identity where the dancer’s body transcends cultural boundaries, making it highly relevant for the globalized, intercultural arts scene.
3. Somatic and Psychological Depth
"Cursive Body" is heavily informed by somatic practices (the internal experience of movement). Ghose describes it as a "Socratic maieutic" proposition—a constant dialogue between the dancer's consciousness and their physical form.
* Autonomy: Unlike rigid traditional training, this method encourages dancers to find their own "truth" in the movement.
* Vulnerability: It involves a psychological process of "surrender" and "becoming," which often gives his choreography a raw, emotional quality.
4. Critical Reception and Impact
In the UK and India, Ghose’s work (often in collaboration with Dr. Mitul Sengupta) is viewed as a bridge between the academic and the performative.
* The Researcher-Artist: Because Ghose developed this during his PhD research at Leeds Beckett University, the method is praised for its intellectual rigor.
* Inclusivity: It is frequently cited as a democratic training method that allows dancers from different backgrounds (ballet, folk, or street) to find a common language.
To know more about the research read-
2. Visitors in my Home - Dr. Shambik Ghose (2025) - https://jdspedi.wordpress.com/2025/08/21/visitors-in-my-home-a-reflection/
3. Stepping Out: A story of a PhD student- Shambik Ghose - https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/story-of-a-phd-student3
4. Featured reseatcher - Leeds Beckett University - Shambik Ghoshttps://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/research/larc/outputs/shambik-ghose/
5. First post doctoral candiadate - Leeds School of Arts - Leeds Beckett University https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/research/larc/outputs/shambik-ghose-postdoctoral/