Discovering “Bellywood”: A Mix of Bellydance (Oriental dance) and Bollywood

Véronique BEN AHMED, choreographer of the Compagnie Nejma but also Oriental Dance & Bellywood teacher in the region of Caen (France) talk about the distinctive features and characteristics of this magical and original merger between Bellydance and Bollywood.

How did you have the desire to mix Oriental and Bollywood Dance?

In addition to classical ballet bases, my first love in dance was the Baratha Natyam dance of South India. When I became a professional bellydancer, I was often told that I had Indian gestures. One day, at a festival in Caen, someone asked for a Bollywood workshop. The merger between the two disciplines was born, with then the desire to teach it regularly.

In your opinion, what are the distinctive features of Bellydance, Bollywood, and Bellywood?

Bellydance is characterized by the roundness of the movements and especially the endless gestures symbolized by the famous figure 8.
Bollywood is known for its geometric shapes, angles and especially the diamond marked by the costume.
By merging both, they meet in jerky, rhythmic movements. Eastern hip accents answer to Indian foot strokes. The knees flexibility and the Oriental fold extend in favor of Indian dance.

How is this merger original?

The originality is found in a back and forth Bollywood footwork, a focus in the Oriental body, a vertical fluidity between the bust and hips. The line of work is interesting when the head has to follow the arms’ intention, while most of the time, in oriental dance, the bellydancer focuses on the audience.
Intentions change every time, following the emotion.

What’s the perfect outfit and what music should we choose to practice this merger?

The perfect outfit to practice “Bellywood“ is, depending on the choreography, an indian dance skirt or sarouel and very often for the top, an Oriental bra. Concerning my choreographies’ music, I use the music of Indian movies such as "Devdas" or "Lagaan".

When and where can our clients find you to learn this merger?

I teach at the MJC du Chemin Vert (Caen - France), on Monday night for the advanced level, Tuesday night for children and adults at the beginner-intermediate level. I also give lessons for a mix of Bellydance and contemporary dance.

What’s your experience in dancing?

I started ballet at 6 years old. Then, in the same dance school as Nelly Bouchardeau in Caen, I discovered Baratha Natyam.
Much later, I became a professional dancer within the Compagnie V.O. Danse contemporaine.
Almost 20 years ago, I discovered Bellydance with Assia Guemra (Paris), I fell in love!
Then I created the Compagnie Nejma for creative work in theaters, public spaces, schools, prisons, and the world of Handicap.
In 2018 we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the company.

Bellywood dance demonstration during a show in Greece:

Feel the magic of this traditional Bollywood dance video clip: