Bollywood Tourism

It’s one of the most quintessential elements of a Bollywood flick – the classic Bollywood dance number. Music is the soul of all Hindi films and when put to those classic Bollywood dance steps, you’ve got one of the most distinctive and unique elements that virtually characterises Indian cinema.

Say ‘Bollywood dance’ and the first thing that springs to mind is a hugely hilarious, series of energetic of robotic yet seductive motions picturised around, believe it or not, a tree!

In fact, there was a time when ‘the tree’ seemed to take centrestage, back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, leaving producers wondering whether to create special in the credits for its special contribution’ to the entertainment quotient of a Hindi film.

OK, we’re just kidding. Did we forget to mention that the lion’s share are dance sequences about love? Sigh… The Bollywood romantic dance number has thus been the cornerstone of the Hindi film since the first talkies were made. Back in the day, as the hero and heroine swore undying love in song, they wandered and hid behind trees and shrubs while stealing longing glances at each other.

Every time the camera panned to shots of foliage and birds, it suggested ‘activities’ that the censors might disapprove! Adding to the element of hilarity was the magical way in which the hero and heroine changed costumes from one sequence to another, leaving the audience is bewilderment.

Today, shrubs and trees have been replaced by exotic locations and the camera rarely pans to irrelevant elements in the surroundings. At least not till the full-on liplock made its appearance in the Bollywood dance number a few years ago.

Yes, Bollywood dance moves have a character all their own. Whether performed against the backdrop of the countryside, in a discotheque, at home, on the streets or at a wedding celebration, they are awfully stylised and elaborate. These dance moves are a blend of various styles, ranging from belly-dancing, Kathak, Indian folk, Western popular, even Western erotic dancing.

Over the decades, Bollywood dance moves, which often have a bevy of background dancers to enhance the element of drama, have gained international appeal. Tied closely to politics, the Bollywood dance number was initially popular beyond India’s shores in countries such as the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.

Later, as the Indian diaspora spread far and wide and economics and politics widened the scope of entertainment, Bollywood song and dance began to seduce audiences in the US and the UK and, later, pockets in other countries as well. Such is its appeal today that that there are numerous dance schools abroad that teach Bollywood dance moves to enthusiastic youngsters.

But just why is dance is such an integral element of Hindi films? The fact is that Indian, nay, South Asian, culture embraces theatre, music and dance as a single cohesive element rather than as mutually exclusive entities.

Some believe this unique fusion dates back 2000 years, to when the Natya Shastra was written, an ancient text on the performing arts. This is in stark contrast to the Western ‘musical’, which is but one genre of films.

Historically, just like Hindi film, or any type of cinema evolved and changed over the decades, so has Bollywood dance. Before the 1960s, song and dance in Hindi films drew heavily on classical and folk dance. Since neither of these two genres was a homogenous entity, there were countless variations, setting the tone for the energy and colour of those signature Bollywood dance moves.

This meant that films in Southern India were strongly influenced by Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi while Hindi films or Bollywood dance numbers were strongly laced with Kathak or mujra dances associated with courtesans. Look closely and you’ll still notice elements of this pre-‘60s Bollywood dance style in current moves which have adapted them to suit the times.

But just in case you’re wondering whether it’s all about those crazy gyrations, flailing limbs, head and neck mania – all of them all at once –  stop right there! Those are just the moves. It’s costumes that maketh the other half the quintessential Bollywood dance number.

The classic Bollywood song and dance is by definition theatrical and dramatic. So elaborate costumes are a natural corollary. They determine the look and feel of the dance, and depending on the context, they compliment and embellish the moves.

Costumes in songs in a period film would therefore have flowing fabric sparkling with sequins and jewellery; Bollywood dance numbers with a wedding backdrop – a favourite –  would likewise sport elaborate attire; a dream sequence would have a surreal feel to the costumes; the regular romantic number would need little more than everyday attire; while a disco number would have plenty of leather and vinyl.

Again, contrast movie costumes of today with those dating back a few decades and all you saw then was the traditional Indian sari in most sequences. Also, costumes that adorn Bollywood dance numbers reflect current fashion trends, making it easy to identify the era even if the audio is turned down.

In a nutshell, while the Bollywood numbers once focused on lyrical style, they are now elaborately choreographed interludes and mega-performances. In fact, Bollywood is unique in the special place choreographers occupy in the Hindi film industry.

The reason why Bolylwood places so much emphasis on shaking a leg is that drama and entertainment are the sole purpose of Hindi films. And to gauge just how important dance moves are in Bollywood, consider this: there was a time when an aspiring female star had little hope of making it to the big screen if she couldn’t dance.

And get this. Some Bollywood films today have broken out of the classic mould and have made a mark with nary a song or dance sequence in them. But sometimes, for these movies, the producer may shoot a Bollywood dance sequence even if only to introduce the cast at the beginning of the film. Others have their promos woven around a dance number just to add entertainment value.

You see, the Indian audience has been bred on classic Bollywood dance moves. How can a producer take away the staple of the audience and still make a hit?