A is for ... Altynai Asylmuratova, Arabesque, Audience and ...

Princess Aurora from The Sleeping Beauty
Choreography: Petipa, 1890
Music: Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
Princess Aurora has a spell cast on her by the wicked fairy Carabosse. Aurora falls into a deep sleep for a hundred years, but is rescued by the handsome Prince Désiré who awakens her; at the end of the ballet they get married in a grand ceremony.


B is for ... Bourrée, Barre, Ballet, Bayadère, Bun and ...

Ballerina
A female principal ballet dancer. A dancer has to work very hard in the corps de ballet before she becomes a professional ballerina. She has to take many ballet classes and the training takes many years.

Benesh Notation
A code of symbols used to write down dance movements. It was invented by Rudolf and Joan Benesh in 1955, and is used all over the world to recreate ballets from scores.


C is for ... Cecchetti, Class, Character, Corps de Ballet, Corpse and ...

Coppélia
Choreography: St Léon, 1870
Music: Delibes (1836 - 1891)
Dr Coppelius makes a doll, Coppélia. Swanilda’s fiancé, Franz, falls in love with Coppélia and Dr Coppelius tries to bring her to life with an extraordinary machine. Swanilda pretends to be Coppélia, but Franz recognises her. They are reunited.

Corps de Ballet
All the dancers in a ballet company who are not soloists or principals.

Choreographer
Have you ever made up your own dance? If you have, then you were the choreographer of your dance. A choreographer is a person who creates dances, and comes from the Greek words choros (dance) and -graphein (to write).


D is for ... Dance, Dessus, Dessous, Diva, Devant, Derrière and ...

Disco
A place where you dance to pop records which are chosen by a Disc Jockey. The first disco opened in the 1960s. Disco is short for the French word Discothèque.

Demi-plié
A dance movement which involves bending your knees while keeping your heels on the floor.


E is for ... Elevation, Entrechat quatorze and ...

Fanny Elsser (1810 - 1884)
Fanny Elsser was one of the most famous ballerinas of the Romantic era. Her most famous dance, the Cachucha (in Le Diable Boiteux, 1836), was a Spanish-style solo performed with castanets.


F is for ... Fouetté, Frappé, Fame and ...

Fish dive
A step in which a male dancer catches his partner as she swoops towards the ground in a fish-like movement. The woman has to trust her partner. Bumping your head can be painful!


G is for ... Giselle, Glissé, Glissade, Gamzatti, Gargouillade, Green room, Gobo and ...

Genée, Dame Adeline
Dame Adeline Genée (1878-1970) was a dancer before she co-founded the Association of Operatic Dancing, as the Royal Academy of Dance was then known, in 1920. Today Adeline Genée's name is remembered by the studio at Academy headquarters and by the annual Adeline Genée Competition. Here you can see Adeline Genée performing in Vineland at the Empire Theatre, 1903.

Green Room
This is the place where dancers go to relax in between classes, rehearsals and performances. It is called the 'green' room because the walls are traditionally painted green, as this is considered a relaxing colour


H is for ... Hairnet, Hubbard Street and ...

Hair
Ballet dancers' have always to be well groomed and tidy. Have a look at a ballet dancer in performance - their hair is always tidy! They use hairnets and hairgrips to hold their hair in place, and have to be able to style their own hair in different ways depending on the show that they are going to dance in.


I for... Indian Dance, Idzikowski and ...

Indian Dance
There are many forms of Indian Dance that are performed and taught today. Kathak is one of the four main forms of Indian Dance, the others being Bharata Natyam, Kathakali and Manipuri. The word Kathak is comes from two words, Katha for story and Kathaka for storyteller. Dancers wear bells around their ankles, which act as percussion instruments. Here you can see Gauri Sharma Tripathi, a professional Kathak dancer, in a striking Kathak pose.


J is for ... Jeté, Jambe, Jazz and ...

Jiving
A type of energetic dancing, popular in Europe in the 1940s and 1950s, which came from the American Jitterbug. This will make your heart beat faster!

Jump
There are many different kinds of jumps in dance - sauté, jeté, soubresaut and sissonne, for example. How many more can you think of? The dancer above is doing a Bournonville grand jeté, in which the back leg is kept in attitude.


K is for ... Kitri, Kick, Knee and ...

Kirov
One of the best-known ballet companies in the world, the Kirov is based at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg in Russia. Many famous dancers have come from the Kirov school or company, including Natalia Makarova, Altynai Asylmuratova and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Karsavina, Tamara Platonovna
Tamara Karsavina (1885-1978) had a long career as a dancer with the Diaghilev Company and Ballet Rambert before she co-founded the Association of Operatic Dancing, as the Royal Academy of Dance was then known, in 1920. Karsavina was Vice-President of the Academy until 1955 and is remembered today as one of the greatest ballerinas of her time.


L is for ... Lambada, Labanotation, Lighting barrell and ...

Lighting
Is used on stage to create special effects or to light up objects or performers (called a spotlight or special). . Most shows would need 50 lights – some need at least 200. The expression 'in the limelight' goes back to the fact that on old gas-lit stages, the brightest lights were called the 'limes', because they were made of lime heated with a flame of oxygen and hydrogen.


M is for ... Mirror, Mukhamedov, Madam, Music and ...

Mime
A set of gestures each with a particular meaning which help to tell a story without using speech. In ballet, dancers often explain parts of the story using mime. What do you think the gesture in the picture above means?

Moulin Rouge
In the 1830’s, the can can was danced in Paris. The can can became wild and acrobatic, it was seen as rude. The French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec painted the dancers in his posters.


N is for ... Nureyev, Notation and ...

Nutcracker
Choreography: Ivanov, 1892
Music: Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
The young girl Clara is given a Nutcracker for Christmas. At night, everything seems to grow much bigger, and she is chased by some huge mice, who fight her and the toy soldiers. Clara rescues the Nutcracker by attacking the King Rat. The Nutcracker turns into a handsome prince, who takes her to the Kingdom of Sweets, where fairytale characters entertain her.


O is for ... Ondine, Odette, Odile, Open class and ...

Odette from Swan Lake
Choreography: Reisinger 1877
Music: Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
The evil magician Rothbart turns Princess Odette into a swan. She can only become a princess again if a man swears his love for her. Prince Siegfried falls in love with her, and promises to rescue her. Rothbart plays a nasty trick on him, however, by disguising his own daughter (Odile) as a black swan at a ball. Tragically, Siegfried mistakes Odile for Odette and marries the wrong swan! Depending on which version you see, he and Odette plunge heartbroken into a lake, or manage to break Rothbart's spell and live happily ever after.
Traditionally, Odette and Odile (white swan and black swan) are played by the same ballerina.


P is for ... Paquita, Position, Petrushka, Piqué, Pirouette, Plié, penché, Pilates and ...

Paint pots
Hundreds of paint pots are used to paint scenery for a performance, which can be changed at various times. Here you can see scenic artists of English National Ballet painting the scenery for one of their productions.


Q is for ... Quadrille, Quickstep, Queen of the Wilis and ...

Queen of the Wilis
In the second act of Giselle (1841), Giselle has died, and gone to join a group of ghostly girls called wilis. The Queen of the Wilis is called Myrtha, and is very cold and commanding.

Quatre, pas de
A Pas de Quatre is a dance for four people. There is a very famous pas de quatre which was danced in 1845 by the ballerinas Marie Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi, Fanny Cerrito and Lucile Grahn.


R is for ... Romeo & Juliet, Rise, Révérence, Revoltade, Renversé and ...

Rosin
This is a sticky golden substance that comes from pine or larch trees. Dancers crush it up and rub their shoes in it so that their feet don't slip. If your studio has a lino floor, you should never use rosin on it. You can also see gymnasts putting rosin on their hands.


S is for ... Stage, Swan Lake, Serenade, Stalls, Solo and ...

Shin-splint
‘Shin-splints’ is a pain in the front of your shin which happens if you don’t put your heels down when you land from a jump, or if you jump around on a concrete floor too much.

Smoke Machine
Have you ever heard a hissing noise in the theatre? It might have been the smoke machine. This is an electronic device which heats up special liquids. When someone presses a button, the machine sprays fog all over the stage. This is sometimes known as dry ice.


T is for ... Teachers, Theatre, Tap, Tango, Tchaikovsky and ...

Tutu
A tutu is a ballet skirt. There are two main types: the classical tutu which is flat, round and stiff and the romantic tutu, which is long and flowing. You’ll see romantic tutus in Giselle (1841) and Les Sylphides (1909), and classical tutus in The Sleeping Beauty (1890) and Paquita (1846).


U is for ... Unusual, Urlezaga, Ultraviolet and ...

Unitard
A unitard is an all-in-one leotard and tights outfit worn by dancers for class and rehearsals. Did you know that the leotard got its name from the man who invented it in 1859, Monsieur Jules Leotard, a French trapeze artist?


V is for ... Viennese Waltz, Vestris, Vaganova, Volochkova, Van Manen and ...

Vaganova method
A system of teaching developed by Agrippina Vaganova (1879 - 1951) who was a dancer, teacher and ballet director. In 1957, the St Petersburg Ballet School was renamed the Vaganova Institute. Vaganova technique is the main basis of ballet training in Russia.

Dame Ninette de Valois
Dame Ninette de Valois (1898-2001) was a dancer, choreographer, teacher and ballet director. She was one of the greatest pioneers of British Ballet, having founded the Royal Ballet and Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet.


W is for ... Wings, Warm-up, Waltz, Water ballet and ...

Wings
These are the sides of a stage, which are out of view of the audience so that they can't see the actors or dancers before they come onto the stage. The picture above shows what it is like to be standing in the wings during a performance.


X is for ... Xylophone, Xenon and ...

X spot
If you look behind you next time you’re at the ballet, you might see a lamp with a glowing red cross on it, attached to the middle of the balcony. This is to give the dancers something to ‘spot’ on when they are doing a pirouette.


Y is for ... Yat Sen Chang, Yves St Laurent and ...

Mikayo Yoshida
A principal dancer with the Royal Ballet. She was born and trained in Tokyo, then studied at the Royal Ballet School in London. She has won many awards for her dancing, and is well known for her performances of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. In this picture, Mikayo Yoshida is performing in The Royal Ballet's production of La Fille mal gardée.


Z is for ... Zenaida Yanowsky, Monica Zamora and ...

Monica Zamora in The Nutcracker Sweeties
A principal with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Monica was born in Spain and trained at Ion Beitia School. She joined The Royal Ballet School at the age of 16, and Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1991. Her principal roles have included Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Odette in Swan Lake. Here, Monica Zamora is performing the Sugar Rum Cherry variation from Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker Sweeties.

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1 Remember to always keep straight when you are in the ballet class. The teacher loves seeing her/his students keeping their posture perfect, just like a ballerina. Maybe in the beginning you will keep forgetting, but don't worry, if you keep doing it you will get into the habit.

2 Smile when dancing. Always look happy and graceful while dancing. The teacher will be very happy. You want her to know that you are enjoying the class.

3 Don't dance like a robot! Relax and most of all HAVE FUN! If you have noticed, most ballerinas look so soft and light when they are dancing.

4 When dancing keep shoulders back and down, even if you are tired.

5 stretch before a class, so you can be warmed up. You will be able to keep your leg higher and if you stretch very well, you won't feel stiff after the class.

6 STRETCH EVERY SINGLE day in order to improve flexibility and strength. This is very important, because although people think that ballet doesn't require much flexibility, they are wrong. It is easier for someone who is flexible to do certain exercises, than for someone who isn't flexible.

7 When dancing try and imagine yourself in front of an audience. Believe me that helps! It makes you perform better.

8 Try not to forget to POINT your toes and stretch your legs very well when you are supposed to. Teachers always know if you are pointing your toes or not. Trust me, it looks VERY ugly if you don't point your toes. Remember…you can’t point your feet to much.

9 Keep a notebook in your ballet bag, so you can write down the corrections your teacher told you. This helps you remember stuff and this way you can improve A LOT! If you write stuff down then you can practise at home and next time you have a class you will know your exercises very well.

10 LISTEN to the music when you are dancing. Dance WITH the music. If the music is fast then DON'T dance slow. It looks awful when you don't go with the music. You are also supposed to feel the music.

11 Try and keep your balance while doing certain exercises. Balance is hard to have, but if you practise, you will be able to keep it! Imagine that there is an invisible string pulling you from your head. That always works when you want to keep your balance

12 At home practise the exercises your teacher gave you. Do pirouettes (sp?) everywhere. My teacher told me that you have to practice them every day!

13 Try to avoid chatting with your friends while having a class. The teacher will get annoyed. Especially when the teacher is thinking of a new exercise to give you, KEEP QUIET! She/He is trying to think.

14 NEVER say the word: "I can't do this". You can do everything when you set your mind to it. You don't want your teacher thinking that you give up easily. It might be difficult to do a certain exercise, but if you practise you will be able to do it in no time.

15 Don't break any rules your school has, for example: don't take water in your class, wear proper ballet clothes and always put your hair in a bun

16 Always show that you are interested in ballet and that you want to learn, because if you are always bored then the other students in the class will think you are boring and you might influence them. They might ignore you! If your teacher hears you complain all the time, she/he will think you are not interested in ballet.

17 Don't be scared to ask your teacher questions. A teacher loves it when she/he sees her/his students asking questions and being interested in the lesson

18 When doing exercises don't always copy the others. Try and remember the exercises, so the teacher knows you know them and you have been listening to everything he/she said. If you don't know the exercises ask a friend or teacher before the lesson. Don't copy from other because the others will get annoyed.

19 Put yourself at the front of the barre. This will force you to know the exercise because there will be no one in front of you to watch. Eventually you'll be able to pick up on things faster.

20 If there is someone in your class who is better than you and can do everything perfectly, don't say to yourself: it is not fair that she can do it. Why does she get to be so perfect when I am so bad at everything?? Instead say: I bet she had to practise very hard to do that, so if I practise I bet I could do it better than her?

21 My teacher says that if you sweat at the end of the lesson it means that you have worked hard. If you don't, then try harder. So make it your goal to sweat after every ballet class because then you know you have worked hard.

22 Stretch at the end of the ballet lesson. Even if everyone else doesn't want to stretch, go and stretch on yourself. A lot of people on dance.net are posting that they don't like stretching at the end of the lesson because the others will think that they are showing off. If this is your case then ignore them. Get into a corner and practise your splits even if you are flat down on all three. After a while the others will get used to you stretching after class and they will find it normal.

23 In between exercises don't just rest and sit down. I was told that you are not allowed to sit down in class. Try breathing and stay put except if your teacher asks you to move of course.

24 If your teacher tells you where to put your head in each exercise don't ignore her/him. Do it. TRUST ME. Once I was looking at some girls dancing and they kept looking in the mirror all the time when they were supposed to be putting their head in the corner or when they were supposed to be looking at their hands. It looked REALLY ugly. You look more graceful when you are looking in the right place.

25 Most importantly don't miss any classes. If you do, ask your friends what they did in the last class and ask them to show you any new exercises.

26 If your teacher gives you a correction, try your best to do it. Don’t just nod and wait until the next exercise begins. Make sure you have mastered the exercise she corrected you on or at least make sure your teacher is looking at you trying to master it. If she/he sees how much you care about corrections she/he will give you more and then you will improve and be perfect!

27 Try remembering every correction your teacher gives you so you can write it down in your notebook and then you will not forget it.

28 There are many people here on dance.net, who complain about other students in their ballet class correcting them. You might think they are doing it just because they want to show that they are little-miss-perfect or something, but who cares. Listen to every correction and if you think they are right then keep the correction in your mind.

29 NEVER go to class untidy or with messy hear, or without your ballet clothes. Then your teacher will think you don't care about class. If you forget your leotard or something apologise or try and find someone you can borrow.

30 When you are in the changing rooms ask your friends to repeat some new exercises with you, so you can remember them for the next lesson. If they are not interested ask your teacher.

31 If you have any time off ballet, try improving. Let's say it is summer holidays. Practise and home and set up some goals and try to achieve them. This is the perfect time to improve.

32 If there is someone in your class or in your studio you admire, try to see what you admire about them and then try to be like them. For example: if one girl in your class has very strong legs, try working on your strength. See the positive points of the dancers you admire and try to use them as well.

33 Hydrate yourself properly everyday. You will be more flexible and have more to give when you're not unhealthily dying of thirst. Get in the habit now when you're not in a classroom all day. Drink 8-12 glasses of water per day, more if it's super hot and you're exercising tons. Believe me this works. It not only keeps you cooler it also increases your flexibility in some way. I can't dance if I am dying of thirst.

34 When doing things in groups watch the other groups and listen to and apply the corrections even if they aren't directed at you. This will really help you improve.

35 If there is room in your ballet class when you are doing an exercise in groups a cross the classroom, there's nothing wrong with going with more than one groups. If space is limited master the combination in the back.

36 Always lift up and out of your knees and hips with your inner thighs even if you are just standing there because then the teacher can see that you have engaged all your muscles and are working properly, not just doing the exercise any old how.

37 Before the class try going over the new combinations and stuff so the teacher can see you want to know them perfectly. If you have any questions of a combination you learned in the last lesson, don't hesitate to ask your teacher. She will probably think that you are interested in knowing the combinations even before the class started.

38 Never block a teacher's view or walk in front of the mirror when people are dancing. It is really annoying.

39 When the teacher is busy doing something, or thinking, or has left the class, don't just walk around doing nothing. Stretch a bit, or redo the combinations or try and master stuff you haven't completely mastered yet.

40 When a teacher makes a correction to anyone show her that you understand it by doing it the correct way. The teacher might not have seen you if you did the same mistake, so she won't correct you. She isn't sure if you can do it, so show it to her.

41 If you come late to class, this is what you do:
1) Wait until the combination is over and then walk to your place
2) Tell your teacher why you're late and apologise
3) Don't join in what the other dancers are doing right away, stretch and do some plies on your own first (this is if you get there after plies).

42 Do not where any jewellery except small stud earrings to class.

43 Focus your eyes when you dance, don't let them wander.

44 Go to the bathroom and get a drink BEFORE class, teachers hate when students need to go to the bathroom during class. Although it might happen to you once (wanting to go to the bathroom, I mean), try not to repeat it again

45 Always do your best and put your full effort into class, teachers care so much more about your effort than if you can do a combination properly or not. Teachers always love seeing their students trying their best in class.

46 Try arriving at the class as early as possible so you can stretch and you don’t have to rush to get ready for class.

47 Never chew gum to class. All teachers hate it when their students are chewing gum during the lesson. It is also dangerous.

48 Try showing your best side. Pretend you are at an audition or you are at an exam or that you have to be chosen by a lot of girls to play in this perfect ballet show and that you have to try your very best to get the place. Don't moan when your teacher makes you do something you don't want to.

49 Raise your hand before asking a question and make sure the question is relevant with what you are doing in the ballet class.

50 I am sure most of you know that when switching sides while doing an exercise you have to turn toward the barre. If the exercise is finished don't sigh loudly or say: thank god that exercise it finished? Breathe and stay in the ending position for several seconds.

51Don't wait for the others to begin the exercise. They probably don't know when to begin. You are supposed to know when the music is ready to start.

52 If you are doing centre exercises and you get mixed up or do a mistake, don't just stand there and wait with your hands crossed, look at what the others are doing and continue, even if you might find it difficult to do some steps.

53 When someone is new in your ballet class try taking the chance to teach them what you have learned until now in the other classes. The teacher will probably be so impressed by what you are doing.

54 If the teacher has to leave the class and accidentally leaves the music on try repeating the combinations, even if the music isn't for the combination you have just done. If you know what combination the music is for, practise it so you can be ready for it when the teacher comes. She/he will be very impressed if she/he comes in and sees you trying to do the next combination even if she/he isn’t there to tell you.

55 If your ribbon accidentally comes off or something, go to the side of the class and as quickly as you can fix it.

56 Usually at the end of the class you have to do a reverence, so do it with a big smile on your face, showing how much you enjoyed the class.

57 Always be nice to the others in you ballet class, even if you don't particularly like them. Don't fight with people in your class or in your studio. Not only will it create a bad atmosphere in your studio it will upset your teacher. The last thing a teacher wants is her/his students fighting.

58 In your dance bag make sure you have everything you need for class. It doesn’t hurt bringing an extra pair of leotard or an extra pair of tights just in case something happens to yours or even if someone forgot his, so they have to borrow yours.

59 Never ask your teacher: what time it is??It annoys all the teachers because they think you can't wait until class is over.

60 If you hate an exercise don't say out loud: this exercise is my worst?

61 Try your best in all the exercises even if you don't like some of them.

62 After the lesson, if you can't remember a combination then ask your teacher. She/he will be really pleased to know that you are interested in the combinations and that you don't want to forget anything.

63 Once I was watching a lesson and most of the girls were looking at themselves in the mirror to check if they are pretty or if their hair isn't nice or something. Lol. Don't do that! Looks are the last thing you should think about while you are dancing or having a lesson.

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1. Sit on the floor with your back straight and knees bent. Slide your feet out as far as you can while keeping them on the ground.

2. Stand on the edge of a stair so that your heels are hanging off the edge. Let them lower as much as possible. You will feel a stretch in your Achilles tendon. Then, do a slow releve and return to the starting position. Try to make the releve as high as possible. Do this several times.

3. Do forced arches in all positions.

4. Using your hands, shape your feet into the fully pointed position and hold it for as long as possible.

5. Flex your foot. Then, point your foot (arch area) while leaving your toes flexed. Point your toes, and then flex them while leaving the rest of the foot pointed. Flex your entire foot and repeat.

6. Do a forced arch on one foot only. Then, leave your foot where it is and bring your arch out. In other words, your foot will be in the pointed position with your toes on the ground. Push as hard as you can so that you feel a stretch on the top of your foot. It is hard to explain but once you actually do it, you will understand. If it helps, some people call this position nuckling over?

7. Flex your foot. Then scrunch up your toes as hard as you can, so that your arch will feel a cramp. This is a GOOD thing!!

8. Roll a tennis ball on your arch.

9. Do sautées in first position, and make sure to go through your foot before coming up off the floor.

10. Put a TheraBand under the ball of your foot. Hold onto both ends and straighten your leg out in front of you. Point and flex your foot.

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"Voi Che Sapete" from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart

Voi che sapete che cosa ?amor,
(Your ladies who know what love is)
donne vedete s'io l'ho nel cor, donne vedete s'io l'ho nel cor.
(see if it is what I have in my heart, see if it is what I have in my heart)

Quello ch'io provo vi ridir?
(All that I feel I will explain)
?per me nuovo, capir nol so.
(Since it is new to me, I don't understand it)
Sento un affetto pien di desir,
(I have a feeling full of desire)
ch'ora ?diletto, ch'ora ?martir.
(which now is pleasure, now is torment)
Gelo, e poi sento l'alma avvampar,
(I freezn then I feel my spirit all ablaze)
e in un momento torno a gelar.
(and the next moment become forzen again)
Ricero un bene fuori di me.
(I seek for a treasure outside of myself)
Non so ch'il tiene,non so cos'?
(I know not who holds it nor what it is)

Sospiro e gemo senza voler,
(I sigh and groan without wishing)
palpito e tremo senza saper.
(I shake and tremble without knowing why)
Non trovo pace notte, n?d?
(I find no peace by night or day)
ma pur mi piace languir cos?
(but yet to languish thus is sheer delight)

Vio che sapete che cosa ?amor,
(Your ladies who know what love is)
donne vedete s'io l'ho nel cor, donne vedete s'io l'ho nel cor.
(see if it is what I have in my heart, sww if it is what I have in my heart)

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Please Pray For The Victims Of The Southern Asian Earthquake!

The biggest humanitarian relief operation ever mounted was underway along Asia's devastated shores as the death toll from a massive earthquake and the tidal waves it unleashed was predicted to hit 45,000.

With the scale of the catastrophe still unfolding the confirmed death toll passed 27,500 in nine countries -- but Indonesia warned that it alone could have suffered up to 20,000 more fatalities on top of its official figure of 4,725 deaths.

Indonesia's Vice President Yusuf Kalla, who is in charge of coordinating relief efforts, said he estimated that "21,000 to 25,000 people" had been killed in Sunday's disaster.

The quake, the biggest in 40 years at 9.0 on the Richter scale, ruptured the Indian Ocean seabed off Indonesia's Sumatra island, sending huge waves thousands of kilometres (miles) to kill and destroy in countries around southern and southeast Asia and even in Africa.

Mass funerals were taking place amid scenes of traumatic grief as bodies lay rotting along coastlines throughout the region, lending weight to fears that outbreaks of disease could unleash a second wave of tragedy on a region struggling to cope with the first.

Available at http://sg.news.yahoo.com/041228/1/3pisd.html

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Please provide Help to the Victims of South Asia Earthquake and Tsunami!

Make A Donation
Make a difference now by supporting organizations on the ground in Asia helping those affected by this tragedy.

Where possible, please designate your funds to "Tsunami Relief".
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/earthquake/tsunami122604.aspx

Death Toll Rises to 67,000 Tsunami Victims

By LELY T. DJUHARI, Associated Press Writer

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - Cargo planes touched down with promised aid Wednesday, bearing everything from lentils to water purifiers to help survivors facing the threat of epidemic after this week's quake-tsunami catastrophe. The first Indonesian military teams reached the devastated west coast of Sumatra island, finding thousands of bodies and hiking southern Asia's death toll to more than 67,000.

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