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.
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History: An evolving style through decades
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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.
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(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 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.

Ever thought fitness and fun could happen together? Most people find fitness classes to be hectic and boring which is why they discontinue lessons after a short while. Unlike your usual fitness class, BollyArts Dance Studio offers exciting Bollywood fitness classes that not only keep you fit, but are fun too, thanks to the amazing set of dance numbers!

What’s Different at BollyArts Studio in NY?

While most people go to a fitness class that is all cardio with rigorous workout regimes and instructors that are tough on you, the atmosphere at BollyArts is something that out of the ordinary.  You don’t get to experience an ordinary fitness class but something that is fun, motivating and keeps you going to get fitter and better while dancing to the most upbeat music tunes from Bollywood.

What’s in a Bollywood Fitness Class?

The Bollywood fitness class is for both adults and children that combines elements from; cardio, aerobics and yoga in the dance techniques. The dance steps on the exciting Bollywood dance numbers blend with a balance of workout that keeps you fit and happy. The fitness curriculum is designed to keep a healthy interval between dance workouts to encourage participants to continue the classes for longer periods. You not only have fun dancing but also shed some unwanted calories. It’s just the perfect balance of fitness and fun; what more can we say?! The energy in the class is infectious!

ZUMBA Dance Lessons for Fitness

ZUMBA dance is a complete body workout that keeps you on your toes while making you lose some weight. ZUMBA brings together music tunes from across different genres and continents which makes it even more enthralling! The dynamic choreography and intense total body workout in the ZUMBA fitness class keeps you coming back for more lessons.

Lessons from Dance Pros

The BollyArts dance lesson is no ordinary group dance class that you find at many places. When you enter the studio, you’re under the supervision of professional dancers who have years of experience on the dance floor, plenty of accolades on their sleeves and handful of tutorial classes to be proud of. You learn new dance steps, music tunes, and learn how to improvise and create your own moves and let loose – it’s all about going all out and dancing with your soul.

BollyArts is proud to offer group dance classes and private dance classes in NY for everyone who is all geared up to move their booty to the exciting tunes of Bollywood songs and get the party going!