LAKE COUNTY — With the film “Slumdog Millionaire” receiving the Oscar for best picture of 2009, American audiences suddenly became curious about the Bollywood film industry and were intrigued by the style of dance the cast and crew performed during the ending credits. Was it hip-hop? Was it some form of dance fusion? Regardless of what it was, audiences enjoyed it; especially when accompanied to the song “Jai Ho” composed and performed by Bollywood composer A.R. Rahman (later covered by The Pussycat Dolls.) However, the form of dance the cast so jovially burst into has a name and a proud history to go along with it.
The name is Bhangra. As a dancer who has studied several Indian dance forms for almost 20 years and has taught and choreographed for approximately six. “What is Bhangra? And what”s the difference between it and Bollywood?”
Bhangra and Bollywood have both grown in popularity around the world. In the United States, it is often called “the hip-hop of India” and has earned the nickname, “Punjabi House.” The dance has been featured in American shows: “So You Think You Can Dance?” “Hannah Montana,” many modern music videos and the Academy Awards. Its appeal is that it is dancing for the sake of dancing, a way of having fun and expressing oneself in a harmless, wholesome manner; to celebrate life and make friends. The heart of Bhangra is freedom.
Bhangra dance and music traces its origins to the Punjab region of Northern India. The exact age of the dance is uncertain but evidence of it can be traced as far back as 300 B.C. Although, some historians and gurus argue the dance could in fact be around 3,000 years old.
It was practiced by the Punjabi farmers of the villages and mainly performed during the harvest festival of Bhaisakhi. To this day, Bhangra is still danced to welcome in the spring weather. Its main purpose is simply to have fun and celebrate life.
There are nine forms of Bhangra traditionally practiced in various regions of the Punjab nation, such as Gidha (a dance performed only by women), Julli (a religious dance performed by holy men) and Gatka (A Sikh martial art).
Some historians believe Bhangra may in fact be derived from Gatka, as many of the movements mimic warriors in battle. The martial art is a two weapon style, where the fighter holds a sword in one hand and a shield or spear in the other.
Two sticks are also used, as well as chains with sickles attached. Bhangra routines are always performed during the opening ceremony of Gatka tournaments, in between fights and during the closing ceremony. Radical stunts are often performed such as juggling swords or knives, tumbling, balancing acts and fire-spitting. In contemporary times, the various forms have merged together to create one style which is simply considered modern Bhangra and is the most commonly taught. However, don”t be fooled! Because of the growing popularity of Indian dance in the United States, many schools have been choreographing routines inspired by Bhangra and Bollywood, but they are not authentic.
So, what”s the difference between Bhangra and Bollywood? Bollywood refers to the Indian film industry of Mumbai (formerly Bombay). Its name is a fusion of the American “Hollywood” and the former Indian city name of “Bombay.”
Bollywood films are dramatic or comical musicals featuring colorful costumes, highly choreographed dance routines and powerful songs. Much like Broadway or the classic musicals of Hollywood, the dance routines featured in Bollywood are fusions of various styles, including: classical Indian and temple techniques, Indian folk dances like Bhangra and western forms such as jazz and swing.
For those who are especially curious about this dance and heck ? want to give it a try, the Konocti Dance Academy, located in Clearlake, began offering Bhangra and Bollywood lessons in 2007.
After three years, the classes have blossomed into a highly successful program with new students enrolling each semester. The KDA Performing Company has even added Bhangra/Bollywood choreographies to their repertoire, performing at the 2010 Lake County Spring Dance Festival and also at the annual CoDance Convention in Santa Clara, where they competed against other dance academies across Northern California before celebrity judges, including: Jody Rice (Prima-Ballerina of Joffrey Ballet), Chris Jones (“You Got Served”) and Lauren Gottlieb (“So You Think You Can Dance?”). KDA was the only team to present a Bhangra routine and proudly received the High Silver award for their performance, as well as earning a spot as one of the crowd favorites. The team plans to present a new Bhangra choreography, along with Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop at the next convention.
The Konocti Dance Academy plans to offer Bhangra and Bollywood classes on Thursday nights for the month of July and a five-day Bollywood camp in August, where students will be taught the basics of technique, a short choreography and will have the chance to learn more about Indian culture including the Hindi language and the food. Students will also participate in craft activities and even have a chance to watch a Bollywood film. Regular classes for the fall semester begin in September.
For more information on the Indian dance program at KDA or simply more information on Indian dance in general, visit the Web site: www.konoctidanceacademy.com Send an email: dance.konocti@yahoo.com Make a call: 995-0481 or 489-4345. KDA is located at 4274 Old Highway 53 in Clearlake.
Namaskar!
