No Bollywood movie is complete without a burst of song and dance. Neither are many Indian festivals like Diwali. Traditionally, the Diwali Festival of Lights is celebrated with performances of Indian classical and folk dances such as bhangra. Now Bollywood is having an influence on these celebrations, which bring in the Indian New Year.

Bollywood style of dancing is eclectic, incorporating Indian dance traditions as well as modern and Western dance forms such as hip-hop, ballroom and salsa. The often energetic dance routines of Bollywood movie fame usually feature a glamorous hero and heroine leading a group of dancers all strutting their stuff in unison.

Usually performed to upbeat, a story is often portrayed through the song, gestures and facial expressions of the actors.

As the fan base for Bollywood movies spills outside the Indian community so has interest in this film genre’s exuberant dance form.

Bollywood meets Diwali in dance competition

In New Zealand, the Radio Tarana Bollywood Dance Competition is now an integral part of annual Diwali festivities in Auckland and Wellington, each October. Featuring three categories, juniors (ages 11 years old and under), intermediate (12 to 15 year olds) and open (16 years and up) the competition is hotly-contested. It can be the culmination of months of training for the participating dance teams.

For choreographer and dancer Vashi Pama, whose team won 2007’s open category at the Wellington competition, it can take a year to develop her dance concept. Her team of dancers meet on Saturdays for about four hours to rehearse. Their training lasts for around eight months. The final number runs for just six minutes on competition night.

Vashi is passionate about Bollywood dancing. “Bollywood dancing really appeals to me because it’s not just one type of dance, it could be hip hop or a traditional Indian dance like bharatnatyam,” she says. “We are not restricted to any particular tradition of dance so we can be more creative with our actions and the way we express our feelings.”

For the last 5 years Vashi has taken part in these competitions. She has recently opened up her team to non-Indian Bollywood dance enthusiasts. To her surprise, she has found these dancers picking up dance steps faster than their Indian colleagues. They also seem more passionate about Bollywood dancing because it exposes them to a new culture. One big attraction is the prospect of wearing the dressy costumes, which Vashi designs herself.

In fact, authenticity of the costumes is an important consideration for the competition’s judges. Other criteria the judges use include synchronisation, innovative choreography, formation/stunts, movement/transition, confidence, opening/ending, overall performance and team spirit.

For Vashi it feels natural to celebrate Diwali by taking part in the competition. “Bollywood dancing and Diwali go together because it allows you to celebrate Diwali by showing your happiness through dance and by sharing your joy with others.”

Ten days of Diwali

Cathy Knowsley, Wellington City Council’s Diwali Festival Organiser, says the competition has proved popular with audiences because it highlights an accessible part of Indian culture for non-Indians. “Anyone can rent a Bollywood movie and get a colourful glimpse into Indian culture,” she says. “They’re great fun to watch.”

The Wellington Diwali Festival is going big on Bollywood this year. As well as the dance competition, the festival features screenings of award-winning Bollywood blockbusters and a live music show, Bollywood at the Opera, showcasing both classic and latest Bollywood hit songs.

This year it has also grown, from a three-day festival to a ten-day programme of events. “We have been working quite hard to expand the programme this year and to show people that there is more to Indian culture than Bollywood,” says Cathy Knowsley.

Anamika Vasil is a Wellington writer. Her journalism background includes reporting on the arts, film and television.

Image courtesy of Asia New Zealand Foundation.