The Rise of Bollywood
Sonia Agarwal shares how you can get the most out of your class
Bollywood has been around too long to be considered a trend and has too rich a cultural background to be called a fad. With its widespread attraction and boost of followers in America, the popular Indian film genre has everyone talking—and dancing!
Bollywood films are vibrant (both in color and mood), the dancing and music are contagious, and the women are glamorous. We can see its inspiration in our everyday life—from America’s Next Top Model’s Bollywood shoot back in Cycle 5, to tuning into a network morning show and watching a segment on how to dress and apply your make-up like a Bollywood star.
The dance world has also been stimulated, and Bollywood dance classes and studios have opened all over the U.S. Like every other dance technique, we want proper training, and in this case, authentic training. Sonia Agarwal, owner and dance director of Sonia’s Dance Rhythm in Illinois, shares some insight on Bollywood style, classes and finding the right teacher.
Agarwal has a background in classical Indian dance and learned Bollywood dance in India. She has taught and choreographed in India and America and her two studios, in Naperville and Schaumburg, IL, offer Bollywood, ballroom and Latin dance, as well as various fitness classes like yoga, Pilates, belly dancing and salsa aerobics.
Whether you have trained in Indian dance or not, Bollywood offers a new challenge and way of moving. “It’s an absolutely different style of dancing from American,” says Agarwal. “It’s a new style of dancing for Americans, and for Indians who study classical dance, it’s a fusion style.”
Fusion has become so important in dance vocabulary. It’s seen in new choreography, reality dance shows and movies. In some ways fusion dance has become synonymous with current, for better or (sometimes) for worse.
Bollywood’s use of various dance forms lends to its dynamic appeal. “It’s many different styles at one time. It has influences of Latino, Arabic, hip hop, break dance, pop and lock, and funk. There are many different styles in this one form,” claims Agarwal.
Bollywood movies make up a large portion of Indian cinema. Characterized by their music and dance numbers, they are often energetic and sensual (without any explicit scenes). In India, the actors and actresses in Bollywood films are the equivalent to our Hollywood royalty. The form is also featured in reality TV shows like “Dance India Dance” where contestants work with top Bollywood choreographers. In America, Bollywood movies are also in high demand and Indian cinema theaters are prevalent throughout the United States. Many want to take Bollywood dance classes for the fitness aspect, expression outlet or technique advantages.
The base of Bollywood dance is classical, and many of the Indian folk styles are also incorporated. “The base is classical with a modern style,” mentions Agarwal. So, although it is a fusion discipline, there is certainly a distinct flavor. This is why insuring that beginner students receive proper instruction is important to the rest of their development.
At Sonia’s Dance Rhythm, the classes are broken up by level and the student can learn in a group or solo. However, the same song can be used for a first-timer or the most advanced student because the choreography can be made more complex. “I make beginners as a separate class,” she explains. “One single song can have different steps, with the easier steps for beginners. After they have learned a few more songs, about three to four songs, they move on to the intermediate level where there are many steps that are tougher.”
For beginners, Agarwal gives a class on style to give an idea of how to place yourself into Bollywood. “I give them instructions like, keep bending your knees while dancing. What Bollywood incorporates is bending knees and dancing on the balls of your feet. Once you get the hang of it, you can move on.”
Unlike most dance forms, there is no barre work, center exercises or set class structure. You learn best by doing. “You learn technique as you go, there is no separate technique class. For beginners I teach how the hand movements are supposed to be,” she says.
A patron of classical Indian dance, Agarwal stresses the importance of classical structure in Bollywood dance. Even though it is a fusion, many of its nuances stem from its classical predecessor. She herself learned the Bollywood style quickly, thanks to her traditional training. “If you are Indian and have classical training, you can pick it up no problem,” explains Agarwal.
For those of us who do not have classic Indian dance under our belts, it can be taught. The more structured foundation allows you the freedom to explore other steps, movements and subtleties, which is why Agarwal suggests girls have classical training, especially to learn the hand movements. “Bollywood songs have very deep meaning and the classical form gives facial expression.” For boys, she explains that classical is not necessary; they should focus on folk and hip hop.
It is important to note that the hip hop referred to in Bollywood dance is not American hip hop—it is the Indian style of hip hop that can be seen in Indian films. One of the best ways to pick up the style is to see it in action. “Watch a lot of Bollywood movies,” she laughs.
In Bollywood dance, the songs are open to interpretation. With no set repertory of steps, the whole point is to be expressive. “Since it is a fusion, you can incorporate any style into it. It doesn’t carry a specific technique. The technique is unique, you choreograph the dance according to how you think.”
That said, there is still an overall Bollywood style that must be primary. This is the responsibility of the teacher, which is why selecting experienced instructors can be the difference between authentic and imitation. “I look for good choreography and Bollywood-based choreography,” asserts Agarwal. “I look for if they’ve had a classical form of training. Then I ask them to choreograph a song and ask myself, ‘Was it typical Bollywood style?’ I look for hip movement and hand movement.”
The dances taught and performed in class must have the proper elements to make it Bollywood. As a director, Agarwal suggests watching some of the classes to ensure “what they are doing is in true Bollywood style.” Afterwards she’ll give some input on how to incorporate the style to help their choreography.
She finds the most effective teaching method, especially for young children, is to keep an open mind. “I am very different than other teachers. I create a very open atmosphere for children.” In class, Agarwal will often stop and ask her students “What do you think should go there?” She allows them to give a step and then she gives it a Bollywood touch. “Kids like that because they feel like they gave the instructor a step and it boosts their ego,” she exclaims.
Some teachers think a Bollywood dance should be constructed to look a certain way, but Agarwal believes Bollywood is a fusion that is open to style. However, there are times when the children will suggest a step that just can’t be incorporated. “Sometimes I have to put my foot down too because it can’t just be anything. It has to be Bollywood style,” she laughs.
For new students on the lookout for a Bollywood studio, you want to ensure the class is well taught before you make a commitment. Agarwal mentions that the best way is to ask for a free class and try it out. “See how it feels. If you’ve seen Bollywood movies then you know. Look for fusion. Is the instructor doing Latin, Arabic, hip movements? If not, then it’s not authentic,” she says. For women especially, the hips are integral to the style. “For boys and men, is there folk dancing, hip hop, funk, pop and lock? If you’re not seeing that, it is not authentic.”
What makes watching a Bollywood movie so enjoyable is the energy and fun the actors seem to be having. They make a connection—they are present in their movement and loving it.
“Dance from your heart. If you are having fun that is what counts and it shows in your body,” says Agarwal. “Go and have fun out there. You can include any style of dance that way. There are basic rules to follow and have fun with that style.”
***For more Information on Sonia Agarwal or Sonia’s Dance Rhythm go to www.soniasdance.com***