Task Two: Bollywood Ensemble Dance - Stylistic Features

Introduction to Bollywood

Bollywood dance is a dance style filled with vibrancy and precision, Bollywood is a style most often seen in Indian films, having developed throughout the Hindi film industry. This dance style fuses classical dance traditions such as traditional Indian dance, folk, salsa, belly dance and Arabic. Bollywood also blends more contemporary western dance styles with these traditional forms such as hip-hop, funk and jazz dance to create upbeat and exciting performances. Over time, these styles have become more modernized and commercialized to suit more modern audiences. 

Bollywood originates from classic folk and Indian dance styles known as Bharata Natyam and Kathak. Over the years, Bollywood has created its own signature style through the Bollywood film industry, having the name created from the fusion of western and Indian culture. The B in Bollywood comes from the word 'Bombay' (a former name for Mumbai) and Hollywood which is more than fitting as it again, merges two juxtaposing dance styles and cultures. 

Bollywood was created in an era where the slums of India didn't have a lot of entertainment, Bollywood gave people something to enjoy, uplifting their moods whether they were a part of the performances or watching them. Bollywood grew, having its vibrancy spread around the world starting from the late 50s to 60s where group performances hit the stages and were placed into plays. Bollywood evolved by the 70s where it was being enforced into many movies, making its cabaret style more popular and recognized. The very first film surrounding this dance style came out in 1899 which then evolved and grew into many popular and famous Bollywood films, musicals and plays premiering all over the world. 

Costuming and makeup are used heavily in Bollywood to enhance the performance. Traditional Indian dancers will wear a Sari which allowed movement. These skirts flow as the dancers turn which creates a beautiful shape. These Saris are always colorful which made a huge influence on Bollywood dance costumes today. It is essential that the facial expressions can be seen during Bollywood as they allow the telling of the story, makeup around the eyes accentuate the features of the face and allows the dancers to maximize their expressions. Their hair is usually out of their face to again allow full vision of their expressions. Examples of these can be seen below: 



Stylistic features found in Bollywood dance

Use of arms and hands 

The use of intricate hand movements and gestures is a key to Bollywood dance. The use of hands are also used to enhance facial expressions. Theses precise movements allow dancers to tell stories, these specific gestures are known as Mudras. Each Mudra is different, having a different meanings to each one. 

Intricate arm placement is also important to allow the correct execution of each movement. Most of the time the arms can be seen in an angular position, in the style of Bollywood. Examples of these are below: 



Use of hips and pelvis 

Hips in Bollywood are fluid, they circle, rotate and move side to side with notable belly dance elements throughout. The hips and pelvis are used in isolated movements which add emphasis to the rhythm of the music. 

Strong and sharp isolations of the hips introduce a strong element of controlled dynamics which again, emphasize the music.  

Physical Posture 

In order to effectively convey the dance's intention, Bollywood posture must be open and upright. In Bollywood, the stance is open and upright to convey the idea of sharing energy to others.  

Dancers must make sure posture remains upright and held in a strong manner to make sure each movement can be seen and completed with precision. 


Rhythmic footwork

Horse steps and pivot turn are both moves heavily connected to the footwork of Bollywood dance. Dancers use rhythmic footwork to add another dimension to the rhythmic quality of the dance. This choregraphed footwork is precise and complex which draws the audience in as it is so engaging to watch.

A Bollywood dancer's use of a flat, flexed foot is a homage to a very traditional part of dance, rooted in folk and Bharatnatyam. "The basic posture of Bharatnatyam is where you turn out your legs and sit in a demi-plie in first 'ballet feet' position, "explains Mohan, the winner of the television talent competition Dance India Dance.

Footwork in Bollywood has been highly influenced from the traditional style of Bollywood with flexed and angular feet positions. 

An example of the feet positions is seen below although normally in Bollywood the Bells aren't used. 



Bibliography : 

Bolly Cruves. (2021). What is Bollywood. Retrieved from Bolly Curves: https://www.bollycurves.com/resources/what-is-bollywood

Townsend, L. (2012, July 10). Bollywood dance explained. Retrieved from BBC : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18686742

 The use of Teacher material and work

 



Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2023 at 2:55 AM

    Well done, you have identified the key features of Bollywood dance.

    ReplyDelete

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