Ballroom dancing is a formal, social dancing which is done between partners. One of the partner leads and the other follows the steps. Ballroom dancing derives its name from the word ball which comes from the Latin word 'ballare' meaning 'to dance'. Ballroom dancing originated in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in which these dances were performed mainly by the upper and elite classes. Later it also became a part of the working and middle classes. Ballroom dancing is generally very elegant and graceful. Ballroom dance can be classified into two broad styles:
• International Style
• American Style
The International style includes dance forms namely: Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Paso Doble and Jive.
The American style includes: Foxtrot, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Mambo and Bolero.
Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz and Rumba are common in both the styles.
Nowadays increasing number of people are taking ballroom dancing lessons to learn this art form.