2. The Term Bollywood
The term Bollywood was created by combining two names, Bombay (the city now called
Mumbai) and Hollywood. Bollywood based in Mumbai (Bombay), is India’s – and the world’s
- largest film industry in terms of the number of films produced, and also the number of
tickets sold each year. In fact, Bollywood has become so internationally ubiquitous that
it now has it’s own entry in the Oxford English Dictionary!
A True East-West Fusion!
The highlight of Bollywood movies are elaborate dance sequences and original
soundtracks. Over the years Bollywood movies have developed their own signature style
of song and dance, which combines the rich texture of India’s many classical and folk
dances, fused with elements of Jazz, Hip – Hop, Arabic and Latin Forms.
An International Sensation!
It is not unusual to see Western pop and pure classical dance numbers side by side in a
Bollywood film. The international appeal of Bollywood dancing is something that has been
in the making for many decades. Originally it was found only in places that had a
significant consumption of Indian films. But today it is rising in popularity in the US,
Canada and Europe. With the success of films such as the Oscar winning movie “Slumdog
Millionaire”, Bollywood films and dance have taken the world by storm & has now come
into the global spotlight. Much of this is due to the ever expanding Indian diaspora, but
a significant proportion also comes from non-Indians who are fascinated by the exotic,
larger than life qualities inherent in it. Be it their lavish sets, production value, or
extravagant costumes, stars like Madonna, Shakira & Britney Spears have incorporated
the Bollywood style of dance or music into their songs, videos and stage shows.
3. Basic Step & Touch
• Start feet together
• Step out to the right
• Touch ball of left foot on floor next to right
• Step out to left
• Touch ball of right foot on floor next to left
Progression
• Jump the step out to the side
4. 1,2,3, Step
3 counts
• Flat of right foot
• Toes of left foot
• Flat of right
• Repeat on left side
Progression
Jump/Hop foot flat foot (Give it more bounce)
5. Limp Step
• Put toes of right foot on the floor
• Press down on toes lifting left foot
slightly off the floor
• Repeat on left foot
Progressions
1) Add a hip movement – raise hip up and
down as you push on foot
2)Do the step at double speed
6. Around the World
• Right foot on the floor
• Place ball of left foot on floor and push
off it 4 times so that you turn your
body around in a full circle
• Repeat on left foot
Progression
Touch 2 with left foot and then 2 with right
foot so that you are turning from side to side
7. Basic Turn
• Start feet together
• Take right foot and cross it over in
front of left foot
• Place ball of foot on the floor
• Simply unwind in a spin
(This is all one action)
Progression
Can you add an appropriate arm movement?
8. Arm Movements
Shrugging Shoulders
Shrug your shoulders up and down
Progressions
1)Gradually lift/raise arms up above shoulders
2) Can you do any of this at double speed?
Rolling Arms
Roll your arms around
each other as they go
from hip to shoulder
height
Turn the Lightbulbs
As your arms are raised in the air, fingers pointed up to the sky,
Twist your wrists inwards and outwards
Come Here from the Hindi word “ADJA”
Turn palms of hands toward sky (1 hand slightly in front of
the other) and beckon someone to come towards you
9. Suggested Dance Routine
1. Hands on hips and rock for 4 and switch
2. 1,2,3 step backwards with come to me arms
3. Forward for 4 shimmy shoulders
4. Repeat 2 & 3
5. Around the world leading with right foot
6. Repeat 5 with the left foot
7. Limp step with arm rolls upwards
8. Basic turn with arms up in V shape
9. (beats 1 &2) Basic step to right with right arm up and hold
10. (beats 3&4) Basic step to left with left arm up and hold
11. (beats 5,6,7&8) Hands either side of head and shimmy
from side to side
What’s next .........? You decide!!!
