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Describe the roots of Bollywood and how it has developed throughout the years
Roots of Bollywood
The roots of Bollywood are found in all Types of Indian Classical dance mainly Bharatanatyam and Khatak. Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Its origins can be traced back to the Natyashastra. “Which is an ancient treatise on theatre written by the mythic priest Bharata” (1). Originally a temple dance for only women to attend. Hindu religious stories and devotions can be expressed through Bharatnatyam. In the 20th century is when this particular style first appeared on stage. “The dance movements are characterized by bent legs, while feet keep rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story” (2). The stories are told through facial expression and expressive hand gestures. “The performance repertoire of Bharatanatyam, like other classical dances, includes Nrita (pure dance), nritya (solo expressive dance) and Natya (group dramatic dance)” (3). Bharatanatyam focuses on the beauty of strong lines coming from the dancer's body.
“The costume of a Bharatanatyam dancer is created on the lines of a Tamil Hindu bride” (4). They wear a vibrant, colourful sari with a pleated stitched cloth attached in the front, during leg movements it fans out which is the most eye-catching aspect of the performance. . The dances have jewelled accessory on their waist used as a belt, accompanied by “jewellery on the nose, ears, neck and sometimes the head. The hair is tied usually in a tight bun or knot adored with flowers or the gajra.” (5).
Katak is dance style which is usually based on love, it originated in the North of India. It hails from three distinct regions Banaras, Jaipur and Lucknow. Katak can be performed by women as well as men. Katak uses gestures which have been adapted and stylized from pedestrian language, and intricate footwork. Bells are worn on the ankles to accent the movements. “Kathak is characterised by fluid body movements, complex patterns of footwork, fast turns and sudden stillness” (6). Kathakas used a combination of drama, song and dance; they were professional story tellers. Similar to many other Indian dances it started as a temple dance, but quickly shifted to the ruling houses courts.
The dance form is practiced by both Hindus and Muslims, so the costume varies accordingly. A Hindu kathak dancer would wear as sari or a long skirt down to the ankles. They wear a blouse to cover their torso and a tika on the forehead, with jewellery on the neck, nose and ears. The costumes for Muslims are also a long skirt, but a tight churdar is worn on the bottom half. Occasionally they wear an overcoat to cover their hands with a head scarf/ orhini.
Development- Bollywood & Bhangra
Bollywood evolved from old Indian classical dance. The style utilises basic elements of classical Indian dance such as, expression and dance. It was created in the late 50s and 60s and was born in Bombay. The term Bollywood literally means Bombay + Hollywood, hence why everything about it is so westernised including the massive, fancy sets and over the top costumes. The costumes are based on the religious saris, except they are a more revealing with cut outs to high light the cleavage and torso, further highlighted with jewels on the belly button. Bollywood was first seen in Bollywood movies, back then the choreography was more simplistic, compared to now. Bollywood dance is structured like a ‘boy meets girl’ musical, using the hands and face to portray the story.
The characteristics of Bollywood is a fusion of several styles including; Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Bhangra, Jazz and Hip-hop and the list goes on. The style is very feminine, upbeat and bouncy. Bollywood has majorly evolved from its origins of where everything was in unison. It is now seen as one of the most exciting forms of dance due to the intricate formations and use of choreographic devices. Another style under the Bollywood umbrella is Bhangra, this style is a lot more masculine and grounded. Hip hop is often fused with bhangra as they have very similar characteristics e.g., punchy, earthy and aggressive. Bhangra is usually performed by men, most commonly wearing a salwar kameez with the option of a sharrara or lehenga choli instead. “Bollywood and bhangra dances are a riot of swirling colours, glitzy costumes and high energy beats” (7).
References
(1) Author: Lochtefeld, J (2002). Title: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, published by The Rosen Publishing Group, pages 103–104.
(2) Author: Lochtefeld, J (2002). Title: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, published by The Rosen Publishing Group, pages 103–104.
(3) Author: Jayakrishnan, K (date published: 2011) title: Dancing Architecture: the parallel evolution of Bharatnatyam and south Indian Architecture, place of publication: Canada, Publisher: MA Thesis, university of waterloo, Page 25
(4) Author: Cscope staff (date created: 2021), page title: Caleidoscope {available at: Traditional Costumes of Indian Classical Dances - A Feast for the Eyes (caleidoscope.in)} (accessed:17/11/21)
(5) Author: Cscope staff (date created: 2021), page title: Caleidoscope {available at: Traditional Costumes of Indian Classical Dances - A Feast for the Eyes (caleidoscope.in)} (accessed:17/11/21)
(6) Author: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (date created: 2021), page title: Classical Indian dance History of Classical Indian Dance {available at: Classical Indian Dance - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (istd.org):} (Accessed: 17/11/21)
(7)Author: Claybourne, A (date published: 2015) title: dance culture Bollywood & Bhangra, publisher: Hachette children's group