Bollywood Dance Research

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Hybrid Identities and Origins of Bollywood Dance

The lights lifted and the music came on, revealing and moving two dancers, both dressed in native Indian clothing. Their pants were loose around the legs and tight around the ankles and the dancers wore headpieces that draped down their back. This dance can be recognized immediately as the style of Bollywood. “Bollywood” is a popular term that describes the Hindi language film industry located in Mumbai, India. The unique features of popular Hindi cinema include song and dance, melodrama, and emphasis on stars and spectacle. Bollywood has become a type of abbreviation used to describe this certain industry. Bollywood dance is identified as the dances that are performed and seen in the films. Through these films, Bollywood dance has become popular and recognizable all over the world. What are the origins of this popular dance and what is the controversy surrounding it? Is it the face of Indian dance? It seems as if it is.
Bollywood film has opened the gates to Bollywood dance, creating a popular style that spread throughout the world. This style would not have been able to spread so quickly if it not had been for the familiar themes and culture found in the genre. Because of this diverse make-up, Bollywood dance is being questioned, for it cannot be seen as traditional Indian dance if it is made up of so many different cultures and styles. Due to the creation from a wide assortment of cultures and practices, Bollywood dance has been the subject of a controversy focusing on its authenticity. Although it is not pure Indian movements, it has become the face of Indian dance due to accessibility and familiarity.
Bollywood films have been created since the beginning of the 20th centu...

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...le believe that since it is made up of a number of influencing styles of dance, it cannot be traditional India. Because it does not represent fully the culture, it cannot be authentic. On the other hand, there are groups of people who believe greatly that Bollywood dance is authentic India, for it allows the audience to escape the world and be fully indulged in the dance. This seems to be the only requirement for Indian dance, therefore it is authentic. Presently, there is not another style of dance that represents India more than Bollywood dance. Because of its accessibility, popularity, and ability to teach lessons, many dancers and audience members associate the two together. Despite the difference in opinions about Bollywood dance, the style has managed to be successful through Bollywood films and has helped to create a popular name for the Indian film industry.

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