The influx of interest in Bollywood has been slow and steady - and despite what others might tell you, it started happening long before Slumdog Millionaire became the movie that everyone demanded you see. And now, Bollywood-related dance troupes have been making their way through the country, offering amazing performances to dazzle and delight audiences.
Washington lays claim to the Dhoonya Dance Performance Company, considered the area's premiere contemporary South Asian dance troupe. They've just announced their second annual show Bollyb!end 2: A Night at the Bollywood Awards, featuring classic Bollywood pieces along with fusion numbers that incorporate hip hop, bellydance, lyrical, and other popular dance genres.
The event is themed to celebrate the Bollywood Filmfare Awards, which are essentially India's version of the Oscars. And of course, it shows off all the fashion creations, elaborate sets, and memorable performances the term "Bollywood" invokes.
If you're looking to join a troupe of your own, there's certainly plenty to choose from. Arya Dance Academy has schools in 165 cities in 17 states, including locations in Texas, Massachusetts and Florida. They not only have dance classes and give you the chance to join a performance troupe, but they also have authentic Bollywood events for you to take part in.
NDM Dance has a tagline of "Live, Love, Dance" - which seems perfectly fitting for what appears to be such a celebratory experience. They're located in Little India in Artesia, California, though they also offer classes in Brentwood and Northridge, among others. Dancers from their troupes and classes have appeared on So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew, and The Office.
And Bollywood Grooves is taking their dance classes global, with opportunities in London, Toronto, South Africa, Brazil, and soon, Dubai. Students can learn Bollywood and Bhangra styles of dancing through work out classes and courses.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Awesomely, it looks like Bollywood is here to stay.
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Posted on Nov 11th 2009
By Bollynatyam
As someone who have been part of and studied this phenomenon for more than 15 year, it is great to see Bollywood Dance getting more (much deserved) coverage in the US these days. I was, however, a little surprised that you did not mention the prolific presence for Bollywood dance on US college campuses. For it is here, that Bollywood really thrives in performance and competition, giving young American South Asians a much needed space to express themselves and form communities around a vibrant popular culture inspired by a century of Hindi cinema.
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Bollynatyam
www.bollynatyam.com
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