Similarities
Bollywood and Classical Indian dance begin similarly. At 0:05 in the Bollywood clip, the dance starts with hand movements, as it does at 0:01 in the Bharatanatyam dance. The gestures in these dances are not identical, but both videos begin with an emphasis on rhythmic hand gesticulation. The second similarity is the dance’s design.
At 0:05 in the Bollywood composition, all female dancers form a row, standing behind each other, before the more dynamic part of the dance starts (‘Kangna Re’). At 0:01 in the Bharatanatyam video, the dancers follow the same pattern (Shiva Shambho). There is a resemblance in the ending of combinations as well. At 01:17 of the Bollywood dance and 0:52 of the Bharatanatyam dance, hand movements are used again to slow the dynamics before the transition to the next combination.
Differences
The primary differences between these two types of dances lie in their rhythm and dynamics, the complexity of the dances, and the group formations. Bollywood dance rhythm is more monotonous, and the tempo of the Bharatanatyam Dance changes constantly. Bharatanatyam dances use more complex movements, and their dynamics are more intense. In Bollywood dance, the group of dancers supports the soloist. In the Bharatanatyam clip, every dancer is equally important as their movements are a significant part of the dance pattern.
Support
I believe it is essential to preserve and support both forms of Indian dance. Despite their differences, both Bollywood dance and Bharatanatyam are integral to India’s cultural heritage. Rejecting any part of this heritage will significantly impoverish the culture. The audience may have different preferences or opinions about which type of dance is better, but each of them was created with a purpose, reflecting specific needs, as every piece of art does. It means that both of these types of dance are essential for some reason, and it is necessary to support them.
Works Cited
“’Kangna Re’ | Paheli | Rani mukherjee, Shahrukh Khan.” YouTube, uploaded by T-Series, 2011.
“Shiva Shambho: Most Watched Bharatanatyam Dance | Best of Indian Classical Dance.” YouTube, uploaded by IndianRaga, 2017.