Task Two: Bollywood Ensemble Dance- Stylistic Features

 What is Bollywood Dance?

Bollywood dancing is a colourful, dynamic and highly theatrical dance seen in Indian films. Having no set rules Bollywood dancing is a perfect to be creative with facial expressions and encourages freedom.  Bollywood dancing is a style of dancing which has been influenced by a variety of different styles around the world. The styles which have influenced Bollywood are the Spanish Flamenco, HipHop, Disco and Jazz which are all styles from the USA, Contemporary and Folk dancing from Europe, Belly dancing which is from Egypt and Bharatanatyam and Kathak which are styles from India. 

Bollywood dancing requires lots of movements from your hands (these are called mudras), face, feet and neck. Every movement within Bollywood dancing is important and plays a huge role in telling the story within the dancing. Bollywood dances are usually romantic or playful. A lot of moves in Bollywood involve pointing, shaking you head and walking away in a circle and walking back to the same spot all these moves create detail into the story. 

What are the origins of Bollywood? 

Bollywood dancing is a style of dancing which originates from Bombay (now Mumbai) in the 19030's. It was loved by many the later developed into the film industry where Hindi films were dubbed and subtitled to ensure that all could watch. Although Bollywood's claim to fame is in India it is also really famous in other countries which include China, Egypt, Japan, Poland, Germany, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Peru. The term Bollywood comes from the collaboration of Hollywood and Bombay. Bollywood dancing was created as entertainment due to the lack of entertainment in the slums, it lifted those who lived their spirits and helped them enjoy life. 

Stylistic features 

The stylistic features are the variety of techniques which are shown within dance. 

Bollywood dancing contains a lot of different stylistic features. Which include; Mudras, the projection of emotion, shaking of hips,  elegance and grace and confidence with every move. 

Mudras 

These hand gestures are called mudras. Hands in Bollywood dancing as well as the eyes and moments are the main thing watched by the audience due to the fact that they can look so fluent end elegant but at the same time be such a huge part of the performance and telling the story.  Mudras can show a lot of things which can include the weather, animals or place. 

Feet movements 

The use of the feet while performing Bollywood dancing is to add in extra layers of rhythm to the performance. The foot work in complex and intricate which keep the audience entertained. Two examples of foot work re the pivot turn and the horse step. The foot work in Bollywood dancing is highly inspired by Kathak where they wore bells around their ankles called Ghungroo's to enhance the music.

Hips and Pelvis

The hips and pelvis are constantly moving in Bollywood dancing, the rotate, thrust, isolate and circle. These movements could be a tiny movements or large movements to add emphasis in the dance. The movement of teh hips and pelvis are highly influenced by the western style Jazz. They range from sharp and isolated movements to fluent wave like moments, the contrast of the dynamics emphasise different sections throughout the dance. 

References

What is Bollywood dance

Origins of Bollywood dance