“Bollywood Dance- A Multicultural Confluence Workshop” is an exciting, upbeat, educational exploration of the modern and folk dance forms of India. Borrowing and lending to world dance styles, Bollywood is a coinage of the words “Bombay” & “Hollywood,” so in effect it is the entertainment medium of the largest population on the planet. An authentic dance from the diverse sub-genres of Bollywood Dance is taught to students who learn the rhythm, expressions, and background that represent the traditions of the specific Indian region, festivals, or folklore.
Students first get to see a full track of choreographed pieces by the presenting teacher, which is energetic, lyrically expressive, and upbeat. They then learn some short dance pieces that accompany the recorded musical pieces. Emphasis is placed on the authentic flavor of the steps, as well as the hallmarks of the onscreen dance, based on the cultural significance and/or the particular lyrical context. Values of community and social interdependence – plus how these values relate to success in today’s global world- are touched upon.
Bollywood Dance workshops broaden students’ understanding of our increasingly interdependent and diverse world and encourage them to embrace a life of assimilation, sharing, identity, and critical thinking while at the same time being a great fitness workout and FUN. An open Q & A may also form part of the activity where students have the opportunity to ask any questions surrounding the content. They are able to use the dance pieces as part of future school presentations.
Duration: May run from one to several lectures with fully customizable and grade-appropriate content. Students may be any number from 20-100 at a time.
Use this link to view a full playlist of video excerpts from this program: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbM4qm0IZlH_B7PPSGRSeFL3FXammkNDw
Artist Background
Priya Chellani is an international dance tutor, choreographer & producer of 30+ years. A former dance finalist from India, Priya hails from the entertainment capital city of Bollywood cinema: Mumbai, where she captained a winning intercollegiate dance team at University, studied classical under a stalwart film choreographer, and structured one of the first curriculums in Bollywood Dance. She directed a thriving academy for a decade, choreographing for upcoming movie stars, creating prize-winning entries for reality TV. Migrating offshore to global destination Dubai, she served a multitude of cultures, collaborating with international event and educational organizations, major fashion brands, government entities, and hospitality chains. As a teaching artist later in New Zealand, she continued similar liaisons, represented at public shows and diversity workshops, served as a judge at university dance competitions, interfaced with recreation, fitness & education industries. From 2013 to date, Priya brought Bollywood Dance to the diverse communities in Raleigh with popular representation at the area’s multicultural festivals, while creating her own Bolly-Fit model for corporate employees in the RTP: CISCO, Lenovo, representing at museum exhibits like “Beyond Bollywood” [Smithsonian, D.C] During a recent visit to India, Priya provided choreography for a music album in the original Bollywood industry.
Search Criteria
- Program Type: Workshop/Residency
- Discipline: Dance
- Grade Level: Elementary, High, Middle
- Cultural Context: Asian
- Accepts bookings in Johnston County
