Once you have felt the Indian dust, you will never be free of it. - Rumer Godden
While contemporary dance, classical dance and ballet are dance students' bread and butter, many people are opting to embrace other cultures with Asian dance lessons. Bollywood remains one of the most widely-recognized styles of dance: to develop a dancer's sensuality and stage presence, it can't be beaten!
So, find out how to dance like you're in India now!
History Of Bollywood Dance Style
Practising Indian dancing is first and foremost about discovering the great history of India, even Indian mythology!
According to Hindu mythology, dance is a creation by the god Brahma: this art form most likely appeared in the 2nd century BC, according to mythological texts.
Dance in India was an indispensable element of social, aesthetic, artistic, and cultural life.
Bollywood dance is a style of dance that has its roots in Indian film and culture. The history of Bollywood dance can be traced back to the early days of Indian cinema when songs and dance numbers were an integral part of the Indian film experience. Here is a brief overview of the history of Bollywood dance:
- Early Indian Cinema: The early days of Indian cinema saw the introduction of song and dance numbers in Indian films. These numbers often featured classical Indian dance styles, such as Bharatanatyam and Kathak, and were performed by trained dancers and actors.
- The emergence of Bollywood: In the 1930s and 1940s, Indian cinema began to develop its own unique style and identity, which became known as "Bollywood." Bollywood films were characterized by their use of song and dance numbers, which were often performed by the lead actors and actresses.
- Evolution of Bollywood Dance: Over the years, Bollywood dance has evolved and changed, incorporating elements of contemporary styles, such as hip-hop, jazz, and Latin dance. Today, Bollywood dance is a vibrant and dynamic style that is loved and enjoyed by people all over the world.
- Growing Popularity Of Hindi Movies: Bollywood dance has become increasingly popular around the world, with people of all ages and backgrounds learning and performing the style. Bollywood dance workshops, classes, and competitions are now common in many countries, and the style has become a staple of cultural events and festivals.
Leave your cowboy hat and boots in the wardrobe, this dance isn't the same as country western dancing!
Different Types of Indian Dance
Before starting Indian dance classes, you still have to choose the right style!
Check for the best tutors for a dance class near me here.
Indeed, there isn't just one type of Indian dance but rather several styles of dancing. Northern and Southern India draw on their regional history to create popular cultural dances among the Indian people.
The variations of Indian dancing usually have similar elements, although the dance steps are different: some dances are performed either to a slow or fast tempo, solo or in groups or with traditional or more modern themes.
In India, dance is primarily a means of communication through both the body, but also the eyes or facial expressions!
A short, non-exhaustive list of dance styles from India:
- Kathak,
- Ossidi,
- Manipuri,
- Kuchipudi,
- Bharatanatyam,
- Sattriya,
- Dandiya,
- Kalbelia,
- Ghoomar,
- Indian classical dance,
- Bollywood,
- Bihu.
Although oriental dance is primarily associated with the countries of North Africa, Indian belly dancing also exists!
Whether traditional or contemporary, there is something for everyone with Indian dance: the method of teaching, the Indian music used and the pace of the dance are all criteria to be taken into account when making your mind up.
The best way is to attend a trial lesson to try out several Indian dances before enrolling in a class. This first lesson will also help determine the student's expectations and help them choose the class best suited to their budget (dance training, couples dancing, one-off lessons, etc.).
In the US, there are also different dance styles: madison is one of them.
Search for online dance classes here.
Learn Bollywood Dance with a Teacher
Do you want to work on your dance moves and musical improvisation? Why not learn Indian dancing with a dance teacher at home?
Search for dance classes in Pune here.
To become a professional dancer or Bollywood dancer or even to star in a dance show, nothing beats homeschooling. In private lessons, students are introduced to dance by learning the basics of Indian dance such as Maahi Ve or Chaiyya Chaiyya.
How to find an Indian choreographer:
- Through word of mouth at a dance class or school,
- Find a Bollywood teacher through physical ads,
- Find a Bollywood teacher through online classifieds,
- Take Indian dance classes online,
- Hire an Indian dance teacher through a private tutoring agency, etc.
With Superprof, Indian dance classes cost around £20 for a one hour lesson!
It's easy to get discounted rates for group classes, intensive dance classes, or weekly dance lessons. Indian dance lessons are suitable for all levels: just take a look at our Superprof dance instructor profiles to check their availability and the conditions of the lesson.
Go from beginner to advanced level with private Bollywood lessons!
To discover another style of dance, why not try African dance?
Take classes at an Indian Dance School
Indian dance classes at a dance school are the perfect way to progress quickly and learn a dance routine in just a few sessions!
For exercise, a love of music or a desire to learn, there are different types of Indian dance classes to suit everyone. Indian dance can be enjoyed by the whole family. There are dance classes for children and teenagers as well as adult dance classes (classes for couples) and even senior classes!
Here are some dance centres where you can learn Indian dance in the UK:
- Annapurna Indian Dance in Halifax,
- ABCD Bollywood Dance School in Chelmsford,
- Nachle Bollywood Dance School in Basildon,
- Bollywood Dance Worldwide in Reading,
- Dance n' Beats Bollywood Dance Academy in Drayton,
- Absolute Bollywood, London
- Bollywood Vibes in London,
- Karan's Bollywood Masterclass in Harrow,
- Dance Ihayami in Edinburgh,
- Nandanam School of Dance in Aberdeen,
For those on a tighter budget, we recommend that you inquire at your local or regional cultural centre. Indeed, these centres, funded by the region, offer discounted rates.
Perfect for taking Indian dance classes at an affordable price!
From Indian dance to oriental dance, they aren't worlds apart.
Top 10 Bollywood Dance Sequences of the Last Decade
Bollywood dance is a vibrant and energetic style of dance that is rooted in Indian film and culture. A typical Bollywood dance sequence can include a mixture of classical Indian dance styles, folk dance, and contemporary styles. Here is a general explanation of how a Bollywood dance sequence might be structured:
- Introduction: A Bollywood dance sequence usually starts with an introduction, which may involve the dancers coming onto the stage one by one and striking a pose.
- Warm-up: The next stage of a Bollywood dance sequence is a warm-up, which typically involves a series of lively and energetic movements designed to get the dancers' bodies moving and ready for the performance.
- Choreographed dance routine: The main part of the Bollywood dance sequence is the choreographed dance routine, which typically involves a series of complex and energetic dance moves. The dance routine is usually set to a popular Bollywood song and can involve intricate hand movements, footwork, and body isolations.
- Storytelling: Many Bollywood dance sequences also include elements of storytelling, with the dancers acting out a scene or telling a story through their movements and facial expressions.
- Final Dance sequence: The Bollywood dance sequence usually ends with a finale, which is a series of high-energy dance moves and spectacular lifts and acrobatics. The finale is often accompanied by a fast-paced song and is designed to bring the performance to a dramatic conclusion.
Teach Yourself Indian Dance: Videos for Learning Indian Dance
In the age of the Internet, why not take advantage of vast digital resources at your disposal to learn Bollywood dance moves (and online Zumba classes)?
Even though to really progress quickly in dance we recommend that you take dance classes in person (London or across the UK), it is still possible to grasp the basics of Indian dance through a comprehensive video library of dance lessons.
These videos, freely available on the web, allow you to take online Indian dance lessons for children or for more advanced levels.
Discover the most popular Indian YouTubers for dance:
- RSU Dance Company,
- Bollywood Dance,
- Columbia Missouri,
- Good Indian Girl Videos,
- Pop Sugar Fitness,
- Dance with Abby,
- Devesh Mirchandani,
- Manpreet Toor,
- Lasya Dance,
- Akshay Yogesh Bhosale,
- Bharat Yoga, etc.
Remember: videos available for free on Youtube are recommended for beginners, but don't let you improve your Indian dance moves that well.
Bollywood videos are perfect for in-between traditional dance lessons, but do not replace face-to-face instruction from a native dance teacher!
Just like Irish dancing, it's possible to find tutorials online.
Apps for Learning Bollywood Dance
Being able to work on your dance steps with your smartphone: that's the dream, right?
Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi or Bharatnatyam: educational apps offer Indian dance classes for all styles and levels of dance. The apps offer both modern as well as traditional dances from different parts of India.
Some free apps even contain Sanskrit recitations so you can really immerse yourself in the language and culture of India!
Here are some recommended apps for learning to dance like a native:
- Indian Classical Dance,
- Indian Wedding Dance,
- Indian Dance Choreography,
- Bollyshake,
- Bollywood Dance Workout
- Khatakali Hindi Dance,
- India Folk Dance,
- Bollywood Punjabi,
- Hindi Dance Tutorials,
- Bollywood Dance Fitness, etc.
For your smartphone or tablet, there are also apps specifically dedicated to traditional Indian songs.
Bollywood enthusiasts can teach themselves all the basics of Indian dance with the help of the Internet!
Even better, learning through apps allows you to broaden your musical horizons and even adapt the choreography to suit you: perfect for creating your own tailor-made dance routines!
So, put your Sari on and start learning some Indian dance moves today!
Remember to check our platform to find a dance instructor for Indian dance, Spanish dance or even Zumba class!
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Well said.
I am looking forward to making my career into dancing so this blog helped me know many things which I never thought about. Thank you, these tips will be of great help for me.
Hey,
Great Blog, Very informative blog about all Bollywood Dance course. I like to Bollywood and classical dance form. Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us. I hope you will share some more info about Bollywood dace form, Please keep sharing.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us I liked the information in your blog.
great blog! really informative for all its viewers! for dancers, it is really important for one to know that
learning online is a great concept.