Time was, that the popularity of Bollywood music was limited to the Indian subcontinent and perhaps some people in Russia were seen to be rather keen on Raj Kapoor songs because access to Hollywood was restricted at the time of the Cold War. Now however, Indian Diaspora all over the world and way the internet has opened up access and communication globally means that more people all over the world are privy to the joys of Indian film music than ever before.
Olympic Figure Skaters Dance to a Bollywood Number
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcZ-LBJpp2U
At the recent 2016 European Figure Skating Championships in Slovakia, Olympic figure skating champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov chose a Bollywood number for their performance. In outfits vaguely resembling Indian dress; modified to suit figure skating requirements, the couple performed to Nagada Sang Dhol from the movie Goliyon ki Rasleela Ramleela.
This is far from the first time either. 2010 Olympic Silver Medalists in figure skating Meryl Davis and Charlie White performed to a medley of songs including Kajra re from Bunty and Babli a few years ago. These are just a few instances how Bollywood music and hence dance is seeping into public consciousness the world over. We may be seeing a beginning of a cultural export from India via Bollywood; the sort that Hollywood has successfully been doing for so long.
Bollywood dance and music has invaded reality TV the world over
The American reality dance show, So You Think You Can Dance now routinely features Bollywood dance style performances though what the Americans understand as ‘Bollywood Dance’ is very limited by definition. Additionally contestants of many talent shows aboard choose to display their talent and more importantly their versatility by including Indian dance and music forms into their repertoire and performances.
So an Ukranian girl will dance to Chikni Chameli complete with heaving bosom and thrusting moves and receive uproarious applause from the audience in Ukraine’s Got Talent. It is not unusual for Belgium has Talent to feature a Bhangra routine and Arabs Got Talent to feature a girl dancing to a song such as Nach Le!
When the Kolaveri Di phenomenon happened, there were flashmobs all over the world grooving to the wildly viral song. There were flash mobs in Singapore, Auckland, Cologne (Germany) even the Dutch rowing team performing to the song!
A R Rahman is also a reason for this cultural export
A R Rahman, the musical genius has been involved with various international cinematic projects, and really shot to the limelight with this award winning work for Slumdog Millionaire. People all over the world heard Jai Ho, were thirsty for more his music and thus perhaps became more receptive to all of Bollywood. The popularity of Bollywood music is unlikely to go anywhere but up in the times to come.
Author – Reena Daruwalla
