​Bollywood Dance: A Phenomenal Fusion Of Vibrancy, Rhythm And Energy

We’re all familiar with the Bollywood dancing seen on the silver screen. Thanks to the popularity of shows like So You Think You Can Dance, Bollywood dancing is becoming a mainstream dance in the United States especially.

It’s exciting and fun, but where did it come from? Also referred to as Indian film dancing, it’s not uncommon to catch a glimpse of this unique dance style in Western TV and movies. With dramatic facial expressions, cinematic elements, and a lot of cardio, it’s no wonder this dance craze is catching on across the globe.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at just what makes Bollywood dance so unique. We’ll travel back through time to uncover the history of Bollywood dance, as well as talk about the ways it’s gaining popularity today not just as a dance, but as a fitness exercise. ​

Movements: Graceful but energetic
Bollywood dance is usually highly synchronized and done with a large group. This is what makes Bollywood dance so mesmerizing and exciting to watch. The high energy from the group brings the entire performance together and adds to the story element. Bollywood dance includes hand movements, neck and head movements, facial expressions, foot movements, and costumes. Each of these elements combined to create a fusion of dance and theater.

Body Movements
Hand movements are a type of sign language and are referred to as ‘mudra’. Believe it or not, they help in telling a story. Sometimes they’re done with one hand, other times they’re done with both hands. When you learn the basics of Bollywood dance, you’ll learn what these hand movements mean in storytelling. Next, the head and neck movements add to the feeling of fluidity. This is one of the most noticeable parts of the dance, and it helps dancers increase their facial expressions.

Last but not least, the foot movements tie the style together. Though not as obvious to an untrained viewer, these foot movements are highly complicated, and they’re also similar to ballet feet. The bounce of their steps is similar to the English ‘chicken step’, and it takes a lot of practice to perfect.

Classical Dance Styles
Originally Bollywood dances drew from Indian classical dance styles, namely: Bharatnatyam and Kathak. Both of these styles are used as a way to tell traditional stories through movements and rhythm. While Bharatnatyam was originally a temple dance from South India, Kathak, on the other hand, is a dance of love that originated from the Northern regions of India. These dance styles are brought into Bollywood films as a way to progress the story and liven the mood.

Costume – Of course, no dance would be complete without the right costumes. Like most Indian celebrations, Bollywood dance is a colorful affair. Many of these costumes pay homage to traditional dance styles, but it’s also not uncommon to see a more modern take on the outfits. The design or color of the costume also depends on the kind of dance that is presented. For example, the dance of the courtesan, known as Mujrah, is very popular in some Bollywood movies, so you’ll often see a specific costume style for that dance. While vibrant colors dominate the Bollywood show, a spiritual dance would be represented with a pure white costume.

History: An evolving style through decades

Now that you understand the basics of Bollywood dance, let’s examine how it developed into such a powerful, well-known movement today. Bollywood takes after Hollywood, and it has become the largest film industry in the world.

Bollywood films take after the Hollywood musicals popular in the United States in the 1940s and 50s, with extravagant, choreographed dance numbers. The dances are intended to support the storyline in most cases. But a recent trend also shows some numbers that are stand-alone and are popular as ‘Item number’ in Bollywood movie slang.

Bollywood dances initially were based on Indian classical dance styles as well as Indian folk dances. Folk dance and music have made a name for themselves in Bollywood dance. The most commonly seen Indian folk dances are Bhangra and Garba. These styles quickly merged with popular dance styles from around the globe, and now Bollywood dance is considered a new genre of its own.

The classic age of Bollywood cinema began in the 1930s and continued through the 1960s. This is where many of India’s favorite films were created, though the development of the budding dance style continued long after. Dance styles like Arabic belly dancing, Latin movements, and others, are all mixed with Bollywood dance. In the 1980s, Bollywood began to be heavily influenced by American MTV and Broadway. Soundtracks were released alongside the film, and hip-hop elements became a common element of Bollywood dance.

The popularity of Bollywood films and dance elements doesn’t stop with India’s borders. With the popularity of global streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and others, Bollywood dance films are spreading across the globe. More dancers of all backgrounds from across the world are choosing to learn how to incorporate elements of Bollywood in their own routines, and it’s even becoming a fitness craze in its own right.

Bollywood dance is also on demand for weddings and special events, especially in the United States where it’s gaining popularity fast. Bollywood dancers bring with them a touch of whimsy and high-energy excitement that’s a wonder to behold.
Picture
(Dancers wearing Garba costume; PC: Dance BFF)

Experiencing Bollywood Dance

Are you ready to embrace this exciting new dance style for yourself? With elements of both traditional Indian dances and Western dances, this is a great introduction to dancing no matter your skill level. You get to wear exciting dance performance costumes, get moving, and express yourself all at once.

Embrace your inner Bollywood star by taking a class for yourself. You don’t need any prior experience to learn the basics, and you might even discover a new passion. There’s a reason Bollywood dance is so popular around the world, and it’s time for you to discover the joy of Bollywood for yourself.

What is Bollywood Dance? How to Learn in Dance Classes in New York?

What is the Bollywood Dance classes style?

The dancing style utilized in Indian (Hindi) films is known as Bollywood Dance. Bhangra and Garba are two of the most lively and colorful Indian Dance styles (originated in the state of Gujarat, India). They combined with various dancing styles from throughout the world to create the well-known Bollywood Dance. Bollywood dancing is a combination of many different Dance genres.

Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Bhangra, Jazz, Hip-hop, Arabic, and Western Dance are only a few examples. The two essential components of dancing and expressiveness are combined in classical Indian Dance.

How to Learn Bollywood Dance at Home

. Select a style

Begin by selecting whatever Dance style you wish to study.

Before you start, you should definitely decide out what sort of resource you want to use, since this will make finding the finest resources much easier.

. Decide on technique or routine

Decide if you want to learn fundamental technique or a specific Dance. Most dancing genres include basic moves that skilled Dancers repeat to improve their strength, endurance, and ability. Some people who are only learning for enjoyment, on the other hand, may want to learn a certain Dance.

. Find the right video

It’s time to look for a teacher: a video. There is a plethora of excellent videos available from professional Dancers, professors, musicians, and amateurs to assist you in learning to Dance.

. Warm up

It’s critical to warm up before dancing. Jogging in place raises your heart rate and warms your muscles. To relax up, do some stretching exercises like touching your toes and opening your hips. Most dancing forms need some flexibility, so warm up with a few exercises that assist stretch tight muscles before getting started.

. Do the lesson

It’s finally time to Dance! Start moving once you’ve finished watching your video. Keep the remote handy if you’re using a smart TV so you can pause and rewind when you need to see a step again.

Keep your phone or laptop nearby if you’re using it for the same purpose. Don’t be scared to repeat a step or portion several times; certain steps take longer to learn than others.

. Practice

It’s been said that mastering a new talent takes 10,000 hours of practise – don’t give up! To improve your dancing, keep practising with the same video and new videos with different trainers. The more you work at it, the better you’ll get.

Learn Bollywood Dance with a Teacher

Finding an Indian choreographer is as simple as asking around at a dancing studio or school.
Find a Bollywood teacher by looking through classified advertisements.
Through internet ads, you may find a Bollywood teacher.
Online Indian Dance lessons are available.
Attend an Indian Dance School’s courses.
Indian dancing courses at a Dance school are an excellent method to make rapid progress and master a Dance routine in a few sessions!

There are several sorts of Indian Dance courses to meet everyone’s needs, whether it’s for exercise, a love of music, or a desire to learn. The entire family may enjoy Indian dancing. There are dancing lessons for children and teens, adult Dance classes (couples’ courses), and even senior dancing lessons!

Start Learning Indian Dance Classes with Bollyarts by Clicking visiting us at https://www.bollyarts.com

Here are some applications that help you learn to Dance like a local:

Indian Classical Dance,
Indian Wedding Dance,
Indian Dance Choreography,
Bollyshake,
Bollywood Dance Workout,
Kathakali Hindi Dance,
India Folk Dance,
Bollywood Punjabi,
Hindi Dance Tutorials,
Bollywood Dance Fitness, etc.

Warm Up This Winter with Bollywood Fitness Dance Class in NY!

If you’re like me, you probably can’t survive winter without complaining – “I feel so cold! Brrr….” – every five minutes. Well, it’s true, some enjoy the cold more than others. Yes, I decidedly am part of the “other” group. Sure, it’s snowing outside, and it’s extremely cold, thanks to the wind chill factor – it gets worse. However, at BollyArts studio, we have no excuse!

“Why?” you ask. Well, it’s because we dance till we drop at the BollyArts Dance Studio in Hicksville, NY – all year round and, winter is no different! With our expert dance instructors like ZOL, Anil, Sonu, Swarupa and many others, we can assure one thing – you will have a great time at the dance studio learning new moves and dance styles.

Why Choose Bollywood Fitness Classes in Winter?

Winters can be quite dull and boring; most people are stuck indoors. The activity levels go down – and that’s exactly why you need to come to BollyArts – to move, sweat and get going through this chilly season while staying warm and active!

ZOL, our experienced and senior dance instructor leads BollyFit, the ultimate Bollywood fitness classes for adults that make you move to the most electrifying dance moves from Bollywood. You may learn some cool dance move like the one from a famous Bollywood celebrity like Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and so many more! It’s always fun to learn – and oh yes, you are free to go home and flaunt your dance moves in front of your loved ones and tell them you just mastered the famous “Kareena move” or a “Salman Khan” dance step!

At Bolly Arts Dance Studio in NY, we offer a variety of dance classes, so you can choose what you like and enroll as soon as you like. Whether it’s belly dance, salsa, kathak, Bollywood bhangra, Bollywood fitness, yoga, or yogalates – we guarantee you one thing – it’s going to be a lot of fun!

4 Electrifying Bollywood Songs to Shake off All the Ghouls This Halloween!

At Bolly Arts, we’re all really excited about Halloween! Every year, it’s a time to mix up some Bollywood music with some electrifying and spooky dance moves and make our studio the perfect place for a Halloween dance party – but of course – with an Indian touch.

Bollywood is known for colors, excitement, drama and – music. Yes, there is no Bollywood movie that is complete without dramatic dialogues, and electrifying music! While Bollywood has quite a lot of romantic songs, that go well with the drama and music, it in no way lacks the horrific soundtracks from some scary Bollywood movies that can give you the creeps! Check out some haunting Bollywood melodies here that are perfect for a BOLLYWEEN dance party!

1. Naina Barse Rimjhim

This is a song from the classic black and white movie Wo Kaun thi? (Who Was She?), released in 1964. This song works as the perfect number for a Bollywood Halloween party as it includes creepy music, made more haunting with the sound of wind. The plot of the movie is bone-chilling; the song starts as soon as the actor sees the actress in the cemetery, who is clad in a white sari. Add this spine-chilling number to your bollyween dance party for some extra thrill!

2. Gumnaam Hai Koi

This 1965 horror flick, ¬Gumnaam (Anonymous), can easily make the top favorites for Bollywood Halloween dance party! With some spooky soundtrack and a full of fear tune, the haunting track can give you jitters! Leaving you clenched tightly on to your blanket in the dark! This can work as a perfect song for a spooky Bollywood party this year on Halloween. Just get your Halloween costumes ready!

3. Kitnay Savan Baras Gaye

This deadly song has the famous Dimple Kapadia as the evil spirit haunting the actor Mithun Chakorbaty. This can work as a great song for a scary Bollywood dance this Halloween! Don’t let the scary song make you stay inside your duvet, it’s the perfect time to flaunt your dance skills and make this Halloween very very Bollywood!

4. Kaheen Deep Chalay Kahin Dil

The song has an alaap by Lata Mangeshkar in her mesmerizing voice, which works as the perfect recipe to create a spooky and horror feel. You’ll surely get some goosebumps – and so will the guests at your Halloween party!

At Bolly Arts, we have the most sought after dance instructors who can help you pull of a great theme party! Whether it’s a Bollywood party on Halloween or you need some private choreography for a special event, we’re here to help you! Make your dance parties fun by learning new dance steps on different kinds of music from Bollywood… and yes, these creepy songs from Indian movies are surely going to shake off the ghouls!

5 Travel Destinations for Dance Lovers

Dance is a beautiful form of expressing your feelings, emotions and mood. It’s a universal language that speaks of love, happiness and unites cultures and countries. If you’re a dance enthusiast or someone who wants to learn about dancing, then there is nothing better than taking a vacation to the destinations that are famous for their special forms dance. Here are some of the top dance destinations for you to try this year, it’s surely going to be a fun and enthralling experience!

Belly Dance –  Turkey/Middle East

Belly dance has its roots in the Middle East. With time, its popularity has expanded across the globe especially Turkey, where dance lovers can learn belly dance and enjoy watching the dances too. The typical belly dance attire is very attractive amongst women with glittery clothing and fancy veils. The Grand Bazaar in Turkey is a great place to visit to get some belly dance costumes if you want to get the real feel of belly dancing while on the floor.

Bollywood Dance – India

Bollywood dance is the most vibrant, fun and exciting of dance styles that originate from India. India is a country rich in dance and culture. It is more so since dance is an essential part of the most widely practiced religion in India, Hinduism. Bollywood dance originates from dance styles in Bollywood movies that are becoming super popular across the globe. At BollyArts studio in NY, Bollywood dance classes are offered for kids and adults alike!

Jig – Ireland

An Irish folk dance, the jig has become popular in Ireland and Scotland. There are various types of jigs; light jigs, single jigs, double jigs, etc. The dance is a popular one and is performed mostly at the end of theatrical plays. A jig dance is quite fast, and sometimes a performance combines two different types of jigs; one after the other without a break. Visit Ireland to experience the joy of watching the dancers perform jig at the country of its origin!

Moonwalk – USA

Moonwalk is one of the most popular dance styles originated in USA and became popular as Michael Jackson, one of the most famous popstars adopted it as his signature dance style. If you’re a Michael Jackson fan and want to learn the awesome moonwalk dance moves, then head straight to a dance studio near you. This technique involves one flat foot to slide backward while with the other foot you tip tie backwards.

Waltz – Austria

Waltz is Austria’s signature dance style and is super popular in the biggest balls held in the Opera House. The balls are open to public but the trick is to get the tickets as fast as you can because they sell like hot cakes! If you fancy Waltz dance style, then it’s a good idea to head to Vienna, Austria to try some dance school and learn the dance from where it has originated.

BollyArts Dance Studio in Hicksville, NY offers a huge variety of dance classes throughout the year for all ages. At BollyArts, we understand your passion for dancing so offer only the best dance instructors who lead these classes and get you moving to the best of your abilities for a rocking dance performance.

Bollywood Divas and Their Best Kept Fitness Secrets Revealed!

Bollywood Divas and Their Best Kept Fitness Secrets Revealed

It’s not just the actors at Bollywood who love to spend hours in the gym to stay fit, but it’s the actresses too! Just like their male counterparts, Bollywood divas take personal fitness very seriously and stick to a strict health and fitness regime to maintain the fit look and flaunt their sculpted bodies!

Bipasha Basu

The secret behind Bipasha’s perfectly toned body is her love for high intensity workout! She is a regular at kickboxing which is her favorite sports activity.  Her kick and punch routine has allowed her to get a fine and fit body. She’s got everyone on the kickboxing bandwagon – actresses like Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone have been taking lessons for the same!

Lara Dutta

The former Miss Universe is now in her mid-30s and a mum of one, but still has the most chiseled and toned body! She has continued her journey to fitness and is yoga practitioner for over a decade. She continues to practice yoga and has her own fitness DVD too!

Priyanka Chopra

The Mary Kom actress took the entire B-town with a storm with her fittest body! As her role in Mary Kom required her to achieve the fittest level of fitness, Priyanka went under high intensity physical training to match the fitness level of the character she had to portray – and she did do it wonderfully! This fit and fabulous actress has been known to have taken up other cool martial arts such as parkour, as well!

Deepika Padukone

This B-town beauty has years of association with active sports. Early on, Deepika was an avid badminton player and then later got training under Yasmin Karachiwala who introduced her to strength training and yoga. She’s also a great dancer and has learned multiple dance forms including jazz and kathak and is an expert at these two dance forms!

Malaika Arora Khan

Malaika has been winning hearts with her stunning to-die-for figure and her electrifying dance moves! A mother of two, she has always kept in shape through her fitness regimen that includes cardio and aerobics. Just like Bipasha, our “Munni” also goes takes kickboxing classes and includes hip-hop dance in her fitness workout too! No wonder she’s one of the fittest B-town beauties and always a stunner on the dance floor!

At BollyArts Dance Studio in Hicksville, NY, we offer dance lessons for hip-hop, kathak, Bollywood bhangra and Bollywood fitness too! Register yourself today for our summer classes or fall schedule classes to get fitter and leaner just like some of the fit and fabulous Bollywood divas!

Add Some Masala – Hire Bollywood Dancers for a Fiery NY Wedding

Weddings are all about, fun, dance and celebrating your special day with your loved ones! To add an extra flavor to all the wedding festivities, hire Bollywood dancers in NY! And why shouldn’t you? Bollywood dancers are truly trained to give the fieriest performances on stage that you and your guests would love to talk about and remember for a lifetime!

Some Masala – Some Magic!

Professional Bollywood dancers are expert at various dance styles and some amazing dance routines, so they can create some mesmerizing dance numbers or you and your loved ones to perform on your wedding. Whether it’s a medley of dance numbers for you sangeet or mehndi events, or the first couple dance for your wedding reception,  Bollywood dancers at BollyArts studio can make it all perfect and smooth for you!

Flash Mobs for a Fiery Performance!

Bollywood dancers at BollyArts Dance Studio in Hicksville, NY offer the most exciting ways to make your wedding memorable. Don’t want to go too mainstream with dance performances? We’ve got the perfect thing for you – flash mobs! Our dancers can give your event an added touch of excitement with jaw-dropping flash mob performance that will be a total surprise for you guests!

Rock the Dance Floor

With Bollywood dancers, we also provide DJs who can mix music to create the most enthralling Bollywood dance music that will give you and your guests and adrenalin rush! The exciting and high beat music from the DJ works seamlessly to provide entertainment to guests and hosts alike for hours at end.

Professionalism and Expertise

Hire Bollywood dancers and you won’t be disappointed with subpar performances because all our dancers are trained and expert in their field. From kathak, Bollywood bhangra, belly dance, Bollywood dance and more! Our dancers are nothing short of giving excellence and flawless dance performances.

Energy, Excitement and Entertainment!

The name Bollywood entertainment strongly reflects the Indian cinema and its vibrant color themes. The same energy and zeal is reflected in the Bollywood dance performances, whether at parties or weddings! Celebrate your wedding and make your special day more memorable with the most exciting dance routines from Bollywood dancers.

Let the Party Begin!!!

Hire Bollywood dancers to make the wedding reception party EXCITING and ENTERTAINING!  We’ve got everything you need – dancers, costumes, DJs, dance floors and just the right match of songs to match your taste of music and dance!

Check out our Bollywood dance classes too and private choreography classes for first dance practices and group dances! We guarantee you’ll enjoy being part of the BollyArts Family!

Why the Bollywood Bhangra Class at BollyArts is the Next Big Thing in NY?

Have you ever seen Bollywood movies and the amazing heart pumping dance moves and enthralling music? Have you ever felt like jumping into the TV screen to become part of the awesome dance number to show off your dance moves?! BollyArts Dance Studio in Hicksville, NY brings to you Bollywood Bhangra dance class that offers the most exciting dance routines!

What’s in the Class?

The Bollywood bhangra dance class incorporates bhangra that originates from Punjab, with some glimpses of Bollywood dance that is exciting, enthralling and colorful! Bollywood Bhangra class is great for everyone and anyone who wants to move to some exciting bhangra music and become active, healthy and fit!

The Bollywood bhangra dance class is a great learning experience for those who want to learn Bollywood bhangra dance as all our classes are led by professional dance instructors who have quite a few accolades to their names!

Fun Dance Routines!

The fast bhangra music gives you an adrenalin rush and adds more energy and excitement to the entire class. The dance routines are choreographed on a smashup of Bollywood songs, hip-hop, pop, and fast paced music. Whether you’re young or old, this dance routine can pump up some energy, help you learn some exciting dance moves, and even prepare you for a dance competition. Also, if you plan to take up a career in dancing, this can give you a good start!

Big Stress Buster!

Dance in general is a big stress buster, and with bhangra dance, it gets even better! Bid farewell to the sedentary, boring, dull and stressful life and dance your way to fitness. You’ll feel more energetic, happy, accomplished and feel better about yourself – and of course, a class means you’ll find others who share similar interests. We’re proud to say that we do not only offer dance classes, but offer you a platform to make new friendships too!

Why Should You Choose BollyArts?

BollyArts dance studio is equipped with the best facilities, including dance costume rentals and other facilities. Also, you get much more than just Bollywood bhangra dance classes! We have professional dance instructors who teach hip hop, ZUMBA, yogalates, Bollywood fitness, kathak and other folk dances too! With so much to offer, BollyArts has become one of the most popular places in NY for dance recitals and classes!

With so many stresses that life throws at you every day, it’s essential to get into an active routine. Dance, work out, exercise and other cardio workouts are what keep us going and BollyArts give us just that – an outlets to bust stress and live a happier, healthier and active life.

Bollywood’s Hottest Dance Divas Through the Ages

When you hear the word Bollywood, you instantly thing of vibrant clothes, flamboyant set ups, exaggerated gestures and reactions, and the ultimate dance moves and songs! From black and white years to the digital age of fusion music and item songs, Bollywood has brought to the stage some of the hottest dance divas to us! Let’s check out the ladies who have mesmerized the big screen throughout the ages!

  • Madhuri Dixit
    Madhuri needs no introduction! This dancing queen has done some amazing Bollywood dance numbers and there is not a single performance of hers that is not jaw-dropping! With graceful moves and stunning gestures, Madhuri Dixit happens to be our all-time favorite dance diva from Bollywood! From ¬Keysara to ¬Aaja Nach Le, this beauty has given some sizzling performances!
  • Helen
    Helen is known as one of the most famous dancers of her time and is often quoted as the first one to start the item girl trend. She is best known for her Cabaret dancing for her sensational and unmatched dance moves in Bollywood movie songs. Her best performances include: the song Mehbooba from the movie Sholay and, O Haseena Zulfo Wali Janejahan, from the movie Teesri Manzil.
  • Malika Arora
    While Malaika hasn’t made a mark as an actress, her sensual dance moves have made raves in Bollywood! She is considered as the queen of item songs. There has been no performance where she hasn’t made heads turn! Malika has given Bollywood some of the hottest dance moves with her exotic dance movements and gestures. Our favorite performances of Malika Arora include dances in the Fevicol Se in the movie Dabangg 2 and Munni Badnam in Dabangg 1, and the all-time famous Chaiyya from the movie Dil Se.
  • Sri Devi
    This southern sensation gave a fresh look to Bollywood dances with her glamorous, graceful and exotic dance moves. A talented dancer by birth, Sridevi has always created magic on screen with her dance. Whether classic, contemporary or other form of dance, this dance queen is unmatchable! Our favorite dance performances of Sridevi include: Morni Baaga Maan Bole Aadh from the movie Lamhe and the song Naino Mein Sapna from the movie Himmatwala.
  • Ashwariya Rai
    This Bollywood beauty needs no introduction! Trained in classical dance, Ashwariya has given some stunning performances and uplifted the cinematic experience. She has many a popular dance numbers that we love, including Kajra Re from the Bollywood hit Bunty aur Babli, Nimbura from the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and a duet performance with Madhuri Dixit in the song Dhol Baje in the same movie.

These are some of our favorite dance divas that Bollywood has produced! At Bolly Arts dance studio in Hicksville, NY, we offer dance classes under the instruction of professional dancers, inspired by these Bollywood’s favorite dance divas.

A Brief Look at the Types of Classical Dance Forms in India

Out of the many famous dance forms in India, classical dance is long known for the beauty, sensual and dramatic movements that more often than not tell a story. Classical dance is rooted in the country of the Ganges since a few hundred years. Here are some of the most famous classical dance forms in India, some of which are also incorporated in today’s Bollywood dance songs.

  • Bharatanatyam
    One of the oldest dance styles of India, it emerged from the temples and courts of India. Before it was registered as a performing art, women used to dance in temples as service to gods. The male gurus taught women (Devadasi) this form of dancing. The performances were limited to the premises of the temples until it was declared as a performing art. This is now performed widely by both men, women and even young children. The music is extremely rhythmic and the steps require balance and flexibility. This dance form is seen in many Bollywood movies even today, e.g. in a song from the movie Mission 369.
  • Kathakali
    Kathakali, is one of the oldest dance forms in India; originated from Kerala. Formerly, the performers of kathak took up various roles from Hindu mythology, but the dance form has evolved now evolved; today, it involves stage performances that last a couple of hours, unlike before when the performances lasted two parts of the night. The dance form is also story based; performers use hand gestures and facial expressions to tell stories and tales. Also, the dance costumes and makeup of the performers are done with great detail along with accessories. Kathakali requires a lot of training and practice.
  • Kathak
    Kathak was initially just performed by poets in village squares and courtyards. These performances usually narrated tales of Indian mythology through vivid facial expressions and hand gestures. It has dramatic, rhythmic and highly sensual and active movements to portray stories. Today, kathak is taught in many dance studios across the world and is one of the most famous types of Indian classical dance forms. Usually dancers wear long flowy frocks with pajamas (chooridaar) for a typical kathak performance. Kathak dance is seen widely in Bollywood movie songs. E.g. the song Albela Sajan Aayo Re in the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
  • Mohiniattyam
    This type of classical dance style has its roots in southwestern India. Meaning the dance of the enchantress, the dance form is fascinating in a way that it has graceful movements, beautiful costumes, accessories and hairstyles. It is aesthetically pleasing to look at; performances are quite hypnotic, as the audiences only feel amazed towards the end of it. The swaying movements of the body and eye movements are sensational. Mohiniattyam has expanded over the years as dance gurus have included and introduced many steps into it. Initially it was performed only by females but today, males are equally learning and performing this dance style.

BollyArts dance studio in Hicksville, NY offers regular kathak dance classes in its facility for dance enthusiasts with no age restrictions. All dancers, whether kids or adults are welcome to participate and learn the beautiful classical dances from learned and professional dance instructors.