Introduction to Polka
The Polka is a very popular dance which is of a highly spirited and energetic nature. Considered to be of Bohemian origin, this peasant dance was supposed to have originated in Eastern Bohemia which is now part of the Czech Republic.
It is actually believed that the Polka was invented by a Czech peasant girl, Anna Slezak in 1834 with the intention of providing a bit of amusement for herself. originally composed in tune to ‘Strycek Nimra Koupil Simla’ (Uncle Nimra brought a white horse), a popular folk song of the times, Anna named the dance ‘Madera’ considering its quick ‘hop-step-close-step’ movements and lively and exuberant nature. Called as ‘Pulka’ (half step) in Czech, because of the speedy shift from one foot to the other with rhythmic consistency, this dance soon found staunch fans and had become a rage in the ballrooms of Prague by 1835.
Five years later, the Polka was introduced in Paris when a Prague dance teacher put up a show at the famous Odeon Theatre. Needl
ess to say, it was a great success and was eagerly lapped up by the Parisian teachers who modified it to a certain extent to suit their styles.
By the end of the 19th century, the Polka came to England, but unfortunately it was not very popular there. It was somewhere around the same time that it was introduced in the United States too. This well-liked dance form also resulted in the invention of various other styles of dance like the gallopade, waltz, etc.