Dance Like A
Bollywood Star
Is there more to Indian dancing than the "lightbulb" move? Now you
can find out at Australia's very first Bollywood dance school.
By Anoushka Nand
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Australia's first Bollywood dance school has opened in Sydney. Called the Mango Dance Studio, it was set up by Farah Shah, a Bollywood choreographer, teacher and performer. Having seen this dance phenomenon take the UK by storm, we chat to Farah about the craze that is now sweeping Australia.
How did the idea of a dance studio dedicated to Bollywood come about?
I launched Sydney’s first Bollywood dance classes in March 2004 after living in London and witnessing the Bollywood hype in the UK. The classes were so popular that I decided to open Mango Dance Studio to cater for the demand.
Why do you think Bollywood dance classes have become so popular?
When I started the first Bollywood dance classes in Sydney last year, it seemed to strike a chord in the Australian psyche. I guess it reflects in part the growing globalization of Bollywood, with the genre being popularized by Bollywood movies such as Monsoon Wedding and Bride and Prejudice, as well as the growing desire to find fun ways of keeping of fit - it's dynamic and energetic which dovetails right into the fitness craze whilst also being very theatrical and lots of fun.
Your classes are pretty famous!
Yes, we have been featured on the tv shows Sydney Getaway, Sydney Weekender, Mondo Thingo and in print in the SMH, Sunday Telegraph, 9to5 and Dance Network.
Tell me a bit about your dancing experience.
I have 30 years of training and performing in Jazz Ballet, Street Funk, Hip Hop, Contemporary with some Classical Indian and I have choreographed and performed in dance routines for Bollywood performances, corporate shows and Hollywood movies, including the recently filmed "Son of The Mask - Mask II". I have worked as a guest teacher with the Sydney Dance Company open classes and one of my professional highlights was training in London in Musical Theatre and working with choreographers from the West End Bollywood musical “Bombay Dreams”.
What sort of classes are available at Mango Dance Studio?
Mango Dance Studio is located at 121 Walker Street, North Sydney. For more information check out www.mangodance.com.au.