Toronto sways to Bollywood beats
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Kinjal Dagli-Shah
"Movies like 'Slumdog Millionaire' and TV shows like 'So You Think You Can Dance' helped Hindi cinema get mainstream attention. And Bollywood's traditional and modern styles of dance combined with the Western influences of Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin and Belly Dancing, drew the Canadians', says Bhatia-Frolick, a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. Born in Delhi's Chandni Chowk, she moved to Canada with her family in 1976, when she was just seven years old. What she did not leave behind, was her love for films. As a child, seeing people rush to the theatres to catch the latest film created in her a lot of curiosity and excitement." My mom loved watching old black-and-white movies and I grew up admiring the stars of her generation. The music, the songs, the dances, won my heart from a very young age," recalls the mother of two.
Bhatia-Frolick does not just teach Mumbai film dance, but also fitness with the help of the funky moves and thrusts. "I've always looked for creative and interesting ways to stay healthy. After I turned 40 last year, I had an 'aha' moment and I realised that it would be best to turn to Bollywood dancing as a means of exercise and fun," says Bhatia-Frolick, who also holds a full-time corporate marketing job. She submitted a proposal to offer Bollywood dance at a local community centre in the York region of Toronto. "The response was amazing.
A good mix of Indians and non-Indians showed up, mostly teenage girls and women. And, since then, it has only grown. I now teach about 50 women three times a week," says Bhatia-Frolick. Later, she choreographed a Bollywood dance for a contestant in the 2009 Miss Teen Canada Pageant.
"The demand encouraged me to branch out. I obtained a permit to offer classes for kids and teens at a school in Stouffville. As a corporate marketing specialist, I put the wheels in motion by advertising, creating flyers and participating in local events to spread the word," she says.
The marketing worked, and the numbers have only grown. Deirdre Wood, 20, who has enrolled, says, "The classes are exciting. I have more confidence now and enjoy learning how to move my body in a totally different style of dance. I wish the classes were two hours long instead of one." It's not just the youth that has taken to Bollywood. Bhatia-Frolick's classes have intrigued many a middle-aged woman as well. Lynn Kalinich, 43, loves watching Bollywood dances as much as performing them.
"I really enjoy the songs and the dance moves. Besides, it's great exercise too. I learn something new in each class," she says.
The mix of Bollywood and fitness is as interesting as it is fun. "My classes offer a complete Bollywood workout with exposure to many different types of Hindi songs - slow songs for stretching and cool downs, fast songs for warm-ups, and the popular songs for a complete dance routine, which the ladies love. 'Deewangi Deewangi', 'Jhoom', 'Twist', 'Dil Dooba', 'Shava Shava', 'Aaja Nachle'... the list is endless!
They get so focused on learning the steps that I hand out 'bindis' when they get the moves. They really appreciate the sweat at the end of class. All in all, we have a great time together," says Bhatia-Frolick, who is married to a Canadian.
So, how does she choreograph Bollywood dances in Canada? "With two kids, a full-time marketing job and teaching dance three nights a week, I don't have the luxury of watching a full three-hour Indian movie. I am fortunate to have satellite TV and subscribe to a popular music channel. While carrying on everyday chores, I try to keep up to date with the latest songs and dance moves.
Most of my choreography is created while I'm driving to and from work every day and listening to music on my Blackberry. That's why 80 per cent of my dance routines are choreographed in my head. I practice the rest in my home studio when possible. When you love something this much, you find the time to make it happen," she says.
With her students happily dancing away, Bhatia-Frolick found new reason to celebrate.
"Bollywood has helped me stay in touch with my roots. I've been in Canada since 1976 and visited India only twice. I've married a wonderful non-Indian man and raised our two precious children in a Western society. But Bollywood has made me keep my love for Indian music and dance alive.
At the age of 41, I feel a new energy emerging from within. I'm fulfilling a dream, exposing the Western world to Bollywood and, more importantly, making a difference in the health and well-being of others," she says.
Perhaps, that's why she has moved beyond the niche market of Indian women and teaches more Canadians the Bollywood way of staying fit. "I joke with them and say, 'Why wait for an Indian wedding to dance to the latest 'Bhangra' moves. Come to my dance studio," she signs off, laughing.
NewsNetwork/WFS
"Movies like 'Slumdog Millionaire' and TV shows like 'So You Think You Can Dance' helped Hindi cinema get mainstream attention. And Bollywood's traditional and modern styles of dance combined with the Western influences of Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin and Belly Dancing, drew the Canadians', says Bhatia-Frolick, a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. Born in Delhi's Chandni Chowk, she moved to Canada with her family in 1976, when she was just seven years old. What she did not leave behind, was her love for films. As a child, seeing people rush to the theatres to catch the latest film created in her a lot of curiosity and excitement." My mom loved watching old black-and-white movies and I grew up admiring the stars of her generation. The music, the songs, the dances, won my heart from a very young age," recalls the mother of two.
Bhatia-Frolick does not just teach Mumbai film dance, but also fitness with the help of the funky moves and thrusts. "I've always looked for creative and interesting ways to stay healthy. After I turned 40 last year, I had an 'aha' moment and I realised that it would be best to turn to Bollywood dancing as a means of exercise and fun," says Bhatia-Frolick, who also holds a full-time corporate marketing job. She submitted a proposal to offer Bollywood dance at a local community centre in the York region of Toronto. "The response was amazing.
A good mix of Indians and non-Indians showed up, mostly teenage girls and women. And, since then, it has only grown. I now teach about 50 women three times a week," says Bhatia-Frolick. Later, she choreographed a Bollywood dance for a contestant in the 2009 Miss Teen Canada Pageant.
"The demand encouraged me to branch out. I obtained a permit to offer classes for kids and teens at a school in Stouffville. As a corporate marketing specialist, I put the wheels in motion by advertising, creating flyers and participating in local events to spread the word," she says.
The marketing worked, and the numbers have only grown. Deirdre Wood, 20, who has enrolled, says, "The classes are exciting. I have more confidence now and enjoy learning how to move my body in a totally different style of dance. I wish the classes were two hours long instead of one." It's not just the youth that has taken to Bollywood. Bhatia-Frolick's classes have intrigued many a middle-aged woman as well. Lynn Kalinich, 43, loves watching Bollywood dances as much as performing them.
"I really enjoy the songs and the dance moves. Besides, it's great exercise too. I learn something new in each class," she says.
The mix of Bollywood and fitness is as interesting as it is fun. "My classes offer a complete Bollywood workout with exposure to many different types of Hindi songs - slow songs for stretching and cool downs, fast songs for warm-ups, and the popular songs for a complete dance routine, which the ladies love. 'Deewangi Deewangi', 'Jhoom', 'Twist', 'Dil Dooba', 'Shava Shava', 'Aaja Nachle'... the list is endless!
They get so focused on learning the steps that I hand out 'bindis' when they get the moves. They really appreciate the sweat at the end of class. All in all, we have a great time together," says Bhatia-Frolick, who is married to a Canadian.
So, how does she choreograph Bollywood dances in Canada? "With two kids, a full-time marketing job and teaching dance three nights a week, I don't have the luxury of watching a full three-hour Indian movie. I am fortunate to have satellite TV and subscribe to a popular music channel. While carrying on everyday chores, I try to keep up to date with the latest songs and dance moves.
Most of my choreography is created while I'm driving to and from work every day and listening to music on my Blackberry. That's why 80 per cent of my dance routines are choreographed in my head. I practice the rest in my home studio when possible. When you love something this much, you find the time to make it happen," she says.
With her students happily dancing away, Bhatia-Frolick found new reason to celebrate.
"Bollywood has helped me stay in touch with my roots. I've been in Canada since 1976 and visited India only twice. I've married a wonderful non-Indian man and raised our two precious children in a Western society. But Bollywood has made me keep my love for Indian music and dance alive.
At the age of 41, I feel a new energy emerging from within. I'm fulfilling a dream, exposing the Western world to Bollywood and, more importantly, making a difference in the health and well-being of others," she says.
Perhaps, that's why she has moved beyond the niche market of Indian women and teaches more Canadians the Bollywood way of staying fit. "I joke with them and say, 'Why wait for an Indian wedding to dance to the latest 'Bhangra' moves. Come to my dance studio," she signs off, laughing.
NewsNetwork/WFS