Gender-fluid Bollywood

As a non-binary, lead instructor and dancer at London’s School of Bollywood, Shiva Raichandani goes out of their way to step over unnecessary boundaries. 

 

At 3pm this Friday (1st March) Shiva will be joined by Pooja Radhakrishnan to discuss the needless heteronormative views of dance and how the performing arts industry should be more LGBTQ+ inclusive. You can book here. And there's also a chance to join a 90-minute Bollywood dance workshop with Shiva at 4.30 on the same day.

 

Shiva has accomplished brilliant things by using their gender fluidity and Bollywood dance background, combining the two (supposedly opposite) ideals to create a very unique dance style.

Jasmine Saadat

Bollywood tales and Alpine fantasies

As a film fan and eager to learn more about Bollywood, I made sure to leave home early so that i would arrive at Dt Monia Acciari's lecture in time. As a result I arrived half an hour early; I was the first to reach the hall and for the following minutes sat awkwardly in silence while Dr Acciari prepared for her presentation. Luckily the room soon filled up and people of varying ages occupied the seats around me. It was nice to see this event get the attention it deserved.

Dr Acciari showed clips and trailers from a range of Bollywood and independent Indian films. I've now added Jadoo, Hal Ho Naa Ho, Farz, Rockstar and Queen to the list of films I want to watch in my spare time.

It was also particularly fascinating to learn how Switzerland became a popular location in Bollywood films. Initially the film's story would be set in India but would cut to Switzerland for fantasy or daydream scenes. Eventually this expanded until long episodes or even whole films were set in Switzerland or other European countries. 

All in all, I enjoyed this event a lot!

 

 

Hayley Phythian

All singing, all dancing ... on mountains

When you think Indian movies, you probably think about the song and dance numbers. The thing you don't think about, or even take much notice of when watching one, is the landscape and scenery. 

That's true of me too - or it was until today. Today I attended a talk given by Monia Acciari on Indian cinema and European landscapes. The talk was eye-opening about where the movies are shot. The talk also was an eye opener about Indian cinema's history in Leicester. I even learnt about a few places to go and see a movie, as well as hearing about the history of Indian cinemas in Leicester. 

The talk made me want to go and re-watch Khabi Kushi Khabie Gham, but when I do I'll be looking into the filming and its locations, and considering questions of authenticity. 

Overall the talk was very enjoyable, and gave me some new recommendations for my "to watch" list. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to enjoy an old favourite.

 
Adil L.