River Cultures
I am an Indian Dancer in London
In this section you will find seventeen interviews with a fascinating array of dancers, teachers and choreographers who are based in London, performing and teaching South Asian dance. They talk about their training, performing styles, their teaching and passing on their skills and knowledge to their students over a range of two decades. Of their motivations, inspirations and commitment to pass on their art.
Although classical Indian dance is less widespread these days, with the interest in Bollywood, these dancers have found ways to continue the legacy of South Asian classical and folk dance exploiting the popularity of Bollywood,. They are aware of the fact that, for Indian dance to flourish in the UK, they have to be adaptable yet still keep an integrity to their work.
Their approach to Bollywood has been to include characteristics of Indian traditional styles in a mix that defines a style that is British Bollywood – one that includes Western popular dance with a distinctive South Asian flavour.
Bollywood is a term that has been coined to describe dancing to the music of popular Indian Hindi films. Being able to dance is one of the prime requisites for popular Indian film stars.
“I am writing on behalf of Mira and Akademi to congratulate you and all the artists involved in the production of the dvd, "I Am an Indian Dancer in London." We were excited to see a product that so succintly captures the stories and situations of South Asian performers in London. Well done.”Lui Sit?
Dance Programme Officer