AKICOLJ

[oyceter]

Would anyone who watches a lot of Bollywood movies be willing to watch this and tell me how the dancing is? (possible spoilers for So You Think You Can Dance Top 12)

I am really really happy about more cultures being represented on the show (Chinese folk dancing pleeeaaaseeeee?), but I haven't watched enough Bollywood dancing myself to be able to tell about technique and etc., and I'm pretty sure the judges haven't either. Also, I think a lot of the praise from the judges is coming from just having a Bollywood dance on the show; I remember when a couple did lindy hop last year, the judges so did not pick up on a lot of the little technique problems that they would have for a more familiar genre like ballroom.

(Also, while I like Katee and cheer for her, my reaction was also, "What, how can you not know what Bollywood is?!")

Also also, while I am here, commentary on the African jazz piece very welcome!

Comments

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

I think Katee and Joshua did a great job. There were times when they nailed the movements. I'd like to see them do a better job of emoting and acting the flirtacious aspects of the dancing. But, they may not have had the translating. But really, I think they nailed it.

Nigel, otoh, doesn't know much about Bollywood. It's been biting off of hiphop since Thriller (at least).

[jinian.livejournal.com]

That was really impressive! I'm happy to see the culture represented too, though I agree that the judges seemed to be overly excited about having the dance at all, to the exclusion of talking about execution much.

Based on my limited experience, I'd say that they did a lot of adaptation to get a similar feel to a big Bollywood dance number, since they only had two people. It seemed like Katee was acting largely as a sub for 100 backup dancers with the abrupt, "masculine" moves that fit with the section of music they used. I'd usually expect more of the veil business and slinkier moves from a leading woman. I'm not sure they really expressed the story they were going for. Normally there's a sort of dueling boy/girl alternation, where they flirt for a long time before doing anything in sync, so I didn't get any sense here of playing hard-to-get. I think the feel of a larger cast came across, but at the expense of the story.

[flamika.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen any other Bollywood pieces, but I did love watching them do that dance. I was getting tired of the usual genres they have on the show and wanted to see some world dance. (Although, as a user above commented, watching it again makes me realize that they didn't quite get the story across.) I'm still hoping that someone will choreograph another Cuban Rumba this year; I loved seeing the combination of African and Latin dancing.

[morgan-dhu.livejournal.com]

I was so happy to see them doing a Bollywood-style dance. I only know what I see in the movies, so I can't really say how good the technique was, but it seemed to be pretty good. Although as others have said, I thought it was more of a chorus dance with just two people than a romantic dance between two leads.

I really do hope that they can continue to work with that choreographer, or other choreographers out of Bollywood. Wouldn't it be great to see every couple doing one Bollywood number over the course of the competition?

[layla-aaron.livejournal.com]

kintail sent me over because I am a Bollywood freak. =) (I was a bit surprised Katee didn't know what Bollywood is; however, many people don't. I have to refrain from slapping those who don't know what it is, because I'd be slapping half the population of this city. *g*)

I watched this number a couple of times, and overall, I think they did a decent job capturing the essence of the dance style. Capturing it as a duo without all the backup dancers is difficult. jinian hit the nail on the head about the masculinity of many of the moves, as well as the need for more flirtation on Katee's part.

Because I enjoy spreading my love of Bollywood, I went digging in YouTube to find a few numbers to share. =D

Short clip of ‘Dhoom Tanaa’ (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dwwRe8K804Y&locale=en_GB&persist_locale=1) - the song Katee and Joshua used

Full clip of ‘Dhoom Tanaa’ (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gXPoZBMydAU&feature=related) - the flirtation and playing hard to get is more obvious here, and the moves they dance together are less masculine.

’Kangna Re’ (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=F_nbdEL6os8) - From the film Paheli, it’s a good example of the synchronicity of a large chorus of dancers. It also shows the flirtatiousness of the women dancers.

’Lagaa Re Jal Lagaa’ (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DeiYZ0kzn-o) - Also from Paheli, this number highlights a dancer spinning on their knees as was mentioned on the clip. I was impressed by Joshua and Katee with this move. It’s not easy and they did very well.

’Nimbooda’ (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2bfGdHkOLJI) - Last but not least, from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, shows how the masculine and feminine moves can be used to play off one another and contrast. I would love have seen them use this as the music, to have taken some of the steps from this number.

Sorry this was so long-winded but I hope it helps some. Overall, I think they did well for dancers not immersed in the dance style, especially for one dancer not knowing what Bollywood is. I doubt the judges have a very discerning eye when it comes to Bollywood. Still, it's nice to see them bring some world dance to the competition. And I would thoroughly enjoy seeing Chinese and Thai folk dancing.

[tatterpunk.livejournal.com]

Thirding the opinion that the choreography was almost hyper-masculine -- and acrobatic -- in execution. That fits more comfortably with Western standards of dance technique, though, so it's nothing that surprised me (yes, I ran to YouTube the moment I heard there was a Bollywood piece, because I am easy like that). And I thought they did exceptionally well with the routine they were given -- they kept the movement fluid and contained, which this kind of dancing (classically-inspired*) depends on, and Katee especially was holding her own on the hand gestures (mudra). And she didn't even know what Bollywood was, before!


*Most Bollywood routines are inspired by Indian classical dance to some degree, combining different schools or mixing them with modern dances with a cheerful disregard for "purity" of style. That's one of the reasons this routine made me happy -- saying something is Bollywood-style is like... well, it's hard to think of a Western equivalent, but you could draw a whole mess of different stuff from that label. The choreographer was obviously attempting to keep the movement grounded in Indian style, albeit tailored for newbie dancers and a Western audiences, while preserving the exuberance that characterizes Bollywood.

If you're looking for maybe an authentic Bollywood "equivalent" of this routine, try this:



It's two (female) dancers playing off of each other (each classically trained), using some of the same moves in the SYTYCD routine. The moves are executed differently, but are recognizable. It also brings home the "backed by 300 awesome dancers" aesthetic.

I bring it up not just because I like (love) this number, but it's some of the most athletic dancing I've seen women perform in a Bollywood film that is drawing heavily from the classical schools. As you can see, usually women's costumes outright prohibit the kind of movement in the SYTYCD routine. (Except the Odissi dance costume. But that's... me getting wildly off topic.) And the SYTYCD costumes were pure Hollywood. Even an item girl would wear a freakin' choli, not whatever bra thingy they had Katee in.


Chinese folk dancing pleeeaaaseeeee?

That would be so awesome, I would faint. And have to start watching the show regularly.

Was that African jazz? (I am just tickled they used a Manson song). It looks like regular jazz. But I am easily confused.

[deepad]

The dancing was good, even though the classical Indian dancer purist in me is cringing at some of the misrepresentation of hand gesture names etc.

I have to do some introspection about what degree of snobbishness is causing me to balk a little at the classification of Bollywood dance as an 'Indian cultural style'.

But they definately performed it with a lot more athleticism and strength then real Bollywood actors, because none of the stars are that fit or trained. :)