Bollywood dance was originated from Bollywood culture; and Bollywood culture was born in the Indian film industry, in Bombay. The word is a combination of Bombay (known as Mumbai) and Hollywood. The Bollywood film industry is the largest in the world, in terms of tickets sold and amount of movies made per year.
Bollywood dance is also growing in popularity around the world because of its colorful and exotic costumes and accessories, vibrant loud music and fantastically coordinated, breath-taking choreographies. Celebrity singers like Madonna, Shakira and Britney Spears have included Bollywood dance moves in their music videos. It is a world dance that is increasingly becoming more popular.
About Bollywood basic moves
Hand movements
The hands are essential in Bollywood dance, as they draw the imaginary lines of the rhythm and tell stories. There are two types of movements: single (called asamayukta hastas) and double (called samyuta hastas). The names of the gestures come from ancient Sanskrit poetry. The story told is usually a conversation between the two dancers. There are twenty-three double hand gestures and thirty-two single hand gestures.
Thumka
This is one of the basic Bollywood movements, and it combines hip and head movements. The idea is to keep up with the beat, with one hand on your hip and the other one on your head. Move hips and head at the same time, while pivoting your foot. Switch sides.
Bollywood Dance Lessons in Denver
We offer Bollywood and Indo-Western Dance lessons in our Denver Dance Studio. Our class is a fusion between Bollywood’s classic stylized dances and the influence of Hip-Hop, Latin, Jazz, Funk, and Street Styles.
Dance class prices:
4 week month series = $52
5 week month series = $65
$15 Drop-in rate (if spots are available)
Visit us and learn about our World Dance Lessons in Denver. Read more about our new Latin Dance class and one of our most recent performances.
Caitlin began her music and dance career in figure skating and studied classical ballet and jazz. She obtained a B.F.A. in Musical Theater and Dance from the University of Colorado. She then traveled the world and was able to learn new world dance forms such as: Belly Dance, Salsa, African, Brazilian Samba No Pe and Bollywood. Caitlin went on to receive her Master of Arts in International Affairs & Communication from the University of Denver in 2005. She is currently an Adjunct Professor on faculty at the University of Denver in the Theater Department and the Lamont School of Music.
