Indian Dance Training: From Bollywood to Classical Styles

As is well known, Indian dances are divided into several directions: classical and Bollywood. The easiest way to start learning is with Bollywood dances, as the basic movements are simpler and they don't require extensive experience.

You don't need a professional choreographer to learn the basics; you can easily manage on your own.

After you've mastered Bollywood Indian dances, you can move on to classical ones. Classical Indian dances are considered one of the most complex styles, as they include vocal performance and involve movements of the mouth and eyes. That is, in addition to basic steps and combinations, you need to learn to sing and express emotions through facial expressions.

Moreover, the basic movements are quite diverse and numerous: over 20 head movements, 5 types of jumps, more than 25 hand gesture movements, 6 neck movements, and over 90 finger movements.

Dancers who have practiced Indian dances for a long time say it's hard to separate each body part from the others. They mean that the body should be perceived not as a whole, but as a collection of parts that you need to control and feel.

If you've been dancing for a long time but think you haven't mastered it perfectly and don't know what to change, try adjusting your posture. As you perform familiar movements, pay attention to the curve of your spine, how fluid you look in the mirror, and how graceful it is. It may seem like a small thing, but it will help you refine your movements to perfection.

Second, focus on your hands. Yes, you perform the movements and do everything as you were taught. But do you watch for the smoothness of movements and transitions from one position to another? Don't forget the rule that each part of your body tells its own story. And if you can realize this and control several such 'stories' at once, consider yourself an expert in Indian dance.

One nuance of these dances is that the feet are in constant motion, with greater emphasis placed on them. Many dancers experience discomfort in their feet, which prevents them from moving fully. Don't forget to rest your feet, take warm foot baths, and massage your soles and calves. With renewed energy, your movements will become smoother and more sincere, helping the audience open up to your emotional story.

Your facial expressions can make you an experienced dancer. It's not for nothing that they say 'the eyes are the mirror of the soul'; this applies here too. Facial expressions and gestures are used to maximally express a person's inner world.

Professional dancers use a secret in their dancing that they try not to spread around. They use Satvika. Satvika is the expression of emotions not typical of other dance styles. For example, heavy sighs, nervous trembling, finger fidgeting, and frightening crying.

And finally, a real Indian dance is not just a dance; it's professional acting. Not only your movements show your experience and professionalism, but also the way you convey your emotions.

The audience evaluates and feels the energy you project. So don't be shy about expressing your inner state, let loose, bore into the audience with fiery looks, and show your entire soul through your vocals.

Experience in Indian dance comes with time and persistent practice. Gradually mastering all the details will undoubtedly reflect in your performance. The audience will feel the emotions you put into the dance, and that will drive you to even greater efforts. Believe in yourself, and you'll succeed!