LIFESTYLE
Even as Bollywood warms up to belly dance, instructors shed light on the dance form on World Belly Dance Day today.
Time to shimmy and shake, for it’s World Belly Dance Day today! This dance form is no longer restricted to cabarets, as retro Bollywood had us believe; it’s creating waves with its growing popularity worldwide and how! Belly dance classes are springing up throughout the country as something new and exciting to try, a great new workout and a whole lot of fun.
“Women are becoming rebellious and want to try something they would not have attempted before,” says Meher Malik, a well-known dance instructor from Delhi. Trained in belly dance across the globe, Meher hopes that more girls recognise the opportunities and take up belly dancing as a serious profession.
In Arabic, it is known as raqs sharqi, literally “Eastern dance,” which originates from Egypt. The term belly dance is a misnomer and doesn’t do justice to this highly precise dance form. “It takes the longest time to learn the technique and using the mind to dance with the music,” explains Meher.
Reetu Jain, an internationally acclaimed tribal belly dancer, says a deeper understanding of the dance reveals a great awareness of the mind and the body. She is currently taking classes in Mumbai to promote belly dancing as an art form.
“Tribal belly dance incorporates the influences of gypsy, Indian folk, Middle Eastern and Spanish dance, which make this different from Egyptian belly dance,” she says. As a dance it is finding relevance in the diversity of India and developing its own unique style.
“For a long time exotic dances were considered taboo and a medium of personal entertainment,” says Vineet Bangera who runs a dance company with his partner of four years, Sahiba Sawhney.
“With the world getting educated about the dance community, it is wonderful to see that belly dance — a creative and extremely skilled dance — is getting the appreciation and the respect that it deserves, even in India,” he says.
As it continues to become hep and happening world over, Bollywood is nurturing a renewed interest for belly dance. Shakira popularised the dance taking it to the global platform; hints of Reetu’s tribal belly dance can be seen in the song Badmast from Chaalis Chauraasi.
In recent times, actor Mallika Sherawat also shimmied to belly dance. And even as Bollywood’s leading ladies seem keen to learn this up and coming Middle Eastern dance form, expect to see full-fledged glimpse of it in the coming months.
Bigg Boss 18: Viral Bhabhi Hema Sharma becomes first evicted contestant of Salman Khan-hosted show
New ITR e-filing portal 3.0 to be launched soon: Check features and other important details
Indian Railway Rules: You won't be able to carry these items during train journey due to...
New Zealand's Suzie Bates surpasses Mithali Raj for massive feat in women’s international cricket
Diwali 2024: Is Deepawali on October 31 or November 1? Know date, rituals, significance and more
Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan dares killers, says, 'they silenced my father, but they forget...'
Flipkart Big Diwali Sale: Massive discount on Moto G85, iPhone 15 Plus and more
CNG prices likely to surge by Rs 4-6, here's everything you need to know
This is world's most expensive condom that is 200 years old, it is made of...
PM Narendra Modi to virtually inaugurate Bagdogra airport terminal worth Rs 1550 crore
Meta AI on WhatsApp to soon serve as your personal assistant, know how it will work
Shocking: People in THIS country love eating crocodile meat, price of reptile's meat per kg is Rs...
Russia shoots down over 100 Ukrainian drones as missile strike on Ukraine injures 17
Delhi pollution hits ‘severe’ levels, AAP govt lists THIS reason as major factor
Elon Musk promises to award $1 million each day to anyone who signs his...
Loud blast in Delhi: Explosion reported outside CRPF school in Rohini, probe underway
‘No clean shave, no love’: Indore women's dating demands sparks discussion, watch viral video
Isha Ambani turns heads in stunning black and white outfit at Mumbai event, it costs...
Big move by Mukesh Ambani as Reliance Industries to revive Campa Cola, plans to disrupt...
'Mom, thank you...': Isha Ambani credits Nita Ambani for her success in touching speech
8th Pay Commission: Minimum salary to be doubled? Big announcement expected on...
Kichcha Sudeep’s mother Saroja Sanjeev passes away at 86 due to…
'The answer lies in the...': Gautam Adani gets candid on why he didn't complete his education
Cultural Shock? Desi singing loudly inside bus in Germany divides opinion, watch viral video
Meet man who worked as waiter, earned Rs 3,000 per month, cracked UPSC exam with AIR...
Noida Master Plan-2041: NCR to get new city, UP government approves 'New Noida', to be readied in…
Understanding Fault Lines: Deep dive into India-Canada diplomatic standoff
Aditya Birla Group's big movement, set to invest Rs 75 crore in THIS Virat Kohli backed brand
Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR air quality turns 'severe', AQI reaches...
70 Bomb Threats In 6 Days: What is the reason behind this surge in hoax warnings?
'I'm sorry...': Throwback to when Ratan Tata fact-checked journalist for a quote attributed to him
Salman Khan gets emotional at Bigg Boss 18 amid death threats: ‘What all I am going through…’
'Grave mistake': Netanyahu warns Iran, Hezbollah after 'assassination' attempt
Mukesh Ambani's next BIG step, Jio Cinema likely to shut down due to...
Meet man, who used to be mechanic, cleared UPSC exam on first attempt, secured AIR 32 to become....
RRB NTPC 2024: Registration window ends today, check easy steps to apply at rrbapply.gov.in
Watch: Little girl lifts huge snake in viral video, parents face backlash for dangerous stunt
Happy Karwa Chauth 2024: WhatsApp wishes, messages and quotes for your loved ones
Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath, known for favouring renting, buys his 1st house; here's why
Meet Ratan Tata’s favourite chef, who began his career in a garage, now he is...
Rajinikanth to compensate producer's loss for Vettaiyan failure? Here's what we know
Meet woman behind the voice of Apple's iPhone 'Siri', never paid for it due to...
Who is IPS Anurag Gupta, acting Jharkhand DGP removed by EC ahead of Assembly polls?
Meet Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, the newly appointed chairperson of NCW
Watch: Rishabh Pant's monstrous 107m six against Tim Southee leaves New Zealand players stunned