Wildwood Dancer Teaches Bollywood

There is liberation in letting loose and dancing to some enjoyable music ­– a universal feeling that affects people around the world. Saturday, the Daniel Boone Branch of the St. Louis County Library in Ellisville will bring that feeling from a young Wildwood resident in a class, “Dance India Dance!”

Sponsored by the library’s Asian Center, the class helps teach students about two styles of Indian dancing. The first will be traditional dancing, followed by dancing taken from popular films from Bollywood, which covers an expansive catalog of Hindi-language based films produced in Mumbai, India.

“Bollywood dance encompasses the fun, spirit and enthusiasm of India,” class instructor Maheetha Bharadwaj said. A 15 year-old student from Wildwood who attends Thomas Jefferson School in Sunset Hills, Bharadwaj herself has been a student of dance since she was a child and has embraced a diverse mix of styles ever since.

In addition to the usual tap and ballet, she describes how her Indian heritage is an important part of her life and her love of Bollywood films.

Bollywood, also known as Hindi Cinema, extends back to the early twentieth century and, not unlike Hollywood, encompasses several genres of films that are watched around the world.  Among the most famous staples of Bollywood are its lush, vibrant dance routines, often accompanied by singing and lavish sets. 

“I love to choreograph on the spot,” which Bharadwaj said allows her to tailor the class to the specific interests and skills of those who attend. 

Saturday’s class will be the third of its kind at the Asian Center, stemming from a desire to break some of the conventions commonly tied Indian dance instruction – something usually relegated to formal dance academies. With the creation of the “Dance India Dance!” class, anyone can learn about a fun style of dancing in a casual environment, free of charge.

The class itself is very improvisational in nature.  New students are introduced to the general style and are taught an example of a typical Bollywood routine, but what happens next is always a bit of a surprise.

Despite Bharadwaj’s passion for choreography, the classes don’t finish with her instruction. Students also will be able to design and choreograph their own dance routines, if they choose. That way, she said, everyone gets a chance to feel the full dance experience.

Although Saturday’s gathering will mark the third time the class has been offered, newcomers are always welcome, Bharadwaj said.

“If they want to have fun, they should come.”