On a lazy afternoon, a group of European youngsters in Impulstanz, one of the largest dance festivals are learning about adaa and nakhra and how to make their face more expressive and use their wrist in style. Helping them discover Bollywood dance style is choreographer Terence Lewis. This is Terence’s 10th visit to Vienna and each time the Reality TV show star’s heart swells with pride. “When I started out, there were 10-15 students in a class. This time, I taught two batches of 50 students each. Earlier I would only teach for a week, but for the last two to three years I have to stay back for two to three weeks to finish and I also had add-on classes. Teaching six hours a day is not a joke because their studios are massive. and among the students, many Europeans like our dance. I also explain to them about our culture,” he recalls. Terrence also makes it a point to go on vacation for a week after his Vienna visit. “ I stay for two weeks and holiday for one week. I went to Corsica and Krakow in Poland,” he smiles
Terence began as a choreographer and made a big mark in the dancing world. With his expertise in Indian folk and contemporary, he has been able to create a niche with his unique dance movements and runs his dancing company ‘Terence Lewis Contemporary Dance Company’. He has also been a regular face on various reality shows on television including ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. Terrence affirms the excitement for Bollywood dancing has gone up. Speaking about the renewed interest for our dance among Europeans, he says “European culture is very masculine; the energy in their dance form is very masculine. Through our dance they connect with the feminine energy. Also I am not teaching current Bollywood because it is hip-hop based and is inspired from the West. They want to learn the old school Bollywood, nakhra , the ada the Kathak-based Bollywood dance. I chose songs like Kajaraare, a semi-classical folk song where there is lot of adaa and dhoom tana . Dancers get to dance with both voices and with exceptional energy and they find it interesting to learn this style, understand basics and certain Indian motifs. Even in contemporary, they are interested to learn how I have combined folk, Kathak and Chhau into a contemporary folk dance. It is not just skilled dancers, even housewives come to my class. The interest for the Bollywood dance is so huge across Europe that it is not so funny. Every club has Bollywood music and when they have a film festival, they will have a Bollywood film.”
Many young dancers have honed their skills in his dancing academy “Recently one dancer was telling me that the maximum number of dancers have come from my company. I am very happy at the progress we’ve made. I am proud at so many job opportunities otherwise it is hard for dancers to get work. It is not necessary to be a film choreographer. So much is happening on television now, like dance shows and dance-related events for which choreographers are required. So many assistants who have learnt with me today are choreographers,” he states.
Terrence explains that television has played a big role in dancers getting recognition. “Television is helping people to understand the nitty-gritty of dance nuancesand to appreciate it. The kind of artistes who have emerged from television are also quite big. Artists and dancers have gone beyond doing just the ‘lathkas’ and ‘jhatkas’. The performances are dynamic and beautiful and people have realised the effort, practice and training which goes into a dance. People are able to appreciate Olympics because they see the fitness, speed and the mental ability of the participants. In the same way, these dance shows showcase the best of arts and crafts; These have given dancers and choreographers a lot of recognition,” he points out.
