A Quick History

Oh where to begin with this behemoth artform, industry and culture?! Let’s start with the name. Mumbai, called Bombay, was the epicentre of the world’s largest film industry, making around 3 times as many films as Hollywood. The ‘B’ from Bombay was blended with ‘Hollywood’ to create ‘Bollywood’. 

Film in India dates as far back as the late 1800s. Change swept through India at the time of independence (1947) and film became modern and socially-reformist, moving away from historical and mythological stories of the past. India’s ardent desire to write their own new and dynamic future was reflected in art and culture. A new wave of cinema developed through the 50s and 60s, but one of the biggest influences on commercial Bollywood was the Masala films of the 70s. They mashed together action, comedy, melodrama, with around 5-7 song and dance numbers. Masala film director Manmohan Desai said:

“I want people to forget their misery. I want to take them into a dream world where there is no poverty, where there are no beggars, where fate is kind…”.

I ask people to keep this in mind when learning Bollywood. While India has experienced massive economic turnaround, including an ever-growing middle class, it remains home to abject poverty brought about by British colonisation and subjugation by the Western World. Bollywood gave people an escape from the harshness of life and the horrors of poverty. It allowed people to dream. Bollywood remains a fantasy industry, designed to transcend reality through the convergence of song, dance, costume, drama, story and digital media. 

Something important to note: not ALL Indian cinema is Bollywood, in fact today it’s less than half. Other genres include Kollywood (in Tamil), Tollywood (in Telugu), regional and independent film. Also, films about India or Indian culture, made by overseas film directors, such as Slumdog Millionaire, Bend it Like Beckham or the Love Guru are not Bollywood films and we get a bit upset when people say they are (which happens more than you’d think).

Is it ok to learn Bollywood or wear a costume?

The world is changing and more people are becoming aware of the past wrongs of cultural appropriation. However, Bollywood is an open culture, meaning anyone can take part, if it’s done respectfully and authentically. Mia Maraschino and I have written previously about the difference between appropriation and appreciation which I encourage you to read.

Sky Sirens instructors Eva Devore, Wednesday, Mighty Mouse, Lily Rose, along with a host of gorgeous students have performed alongside me. While doing so, they have actively decolonised their own dance practice and challenged the dominant Western dance hegemonies of Australian performance spaces, demonstrating cultural understanding, intercultural dialogue and respect.  They have demonstrated exemplary allyship, allowing the person with cultural expertise to lead, and been willing to learn and acknowledge their white privilege at every turn. In short, Bollywood is for everyone and I expressly invite you all to enter the world of glamour, fun, joy and beauty. 

Bollywood at Sky Sirens

Sky Sirens has been one of the few studios that hasn’t asked me to minimise my culture and training. I could not be more grateful that they’ve asked me to share my practice with our unique community. At Sky Sirens, we’ve developed a course in Bollywood Burlesque, which blends Bollywood dance with sexy, bold, sassy tease, working on new ways to develop expression, fluidity of movement and connection with audience. I’ve also taught an exceptionally fun and experimental workshop called Bolly Sling, and found that Bollywood movements blended seamlessly in the sling. But, I have been most passionate and proud of Bolly Lyra.

Circles are incredibly important and symbolic in Indian culture. The wheel of dharma is on our national flag, representing that there is life in movement. Everything from reincarnation to industry is represented by circles, and when I began lyra, I couldn’t stop incorporating traditional movements in the shape. Bolly Lyra has had a niche, but committed following at Sky Sirens. Performances have been a crowd favourite at Speakeasy with glamorous costumes, show stopping routines and addictive beats on show.

To our knowledge, Sky Sirens has the first Bollywood Aerials classes in the world and we have created a low-hoop curriculum for anyone who has completed any Babydoll course in order to make it as accessible as possible. 

The Dance

Bollywood’s evolution is quite similar to the evolution of Western Dance forms in that it draws on traditional classical styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak or Kuchipudi. When I teach you’ll often see me explaining Kathak hand movements, symbolic gestures or temple foot work (hence my inability to point my toes).

Today, Bollywood blends jazz, hip hop, international styles such as samba and Jamaican dance hall, reflecting the changing nature of dance culture in India and around the world. In fact, if you see a Bollywood video today, you might barely recognise it as Indian! But generally, it still tells a story, is highly expressive and is an act of giving oneself to a willing audience. 

I find a lot of crossover in my personal practice between the worlds of Bollywood and Burlesque.

The common elements of elaborate costuming, tease, coyness juxtaposed with spectacular climaxes and indulgent entertainment make their essence complementary. Having said that, there are numerous differences that don’t equate and it’s not appropriate to strip out of cultural attire.