Most Indian dances are based on the treatise Natyashastra by the sage Bharata Muni, which explains the Indian art of acting. Acting or Natya is a broad concept which encompasses both drama and dance.
The Natya Shastra was written by the sage “Bharata Muni” who, it is claimed, was directly inspired by the Lord Brahma. The Natya Shastra is incredibly wide in its scope. It consists of minutely detailed precepts for both playwrights and actors. Bharata describes 15 types of drama ranging from one to ten acts. In addition, he lays down principles for stage design, makeup, costume, dance (various movements and gestures), a theory of aesthetics (rasas and bhavas), acting, directing and music, each in individual chapter.
Though its main theme is drama, Natyashastra deals with dance also at considerable length. On one hand, it elaborates various gestures of hands, and on the other, classifies such gestures and movements as either graceful or vigorous; the former, defining the 'lalita' form of dance - 'lasya'; and the latter, its vigorous form 'tandava'. Dance is classified under four categories and into four regional varieties.
Bollywood dances are a jumble of all these gestures and movements. Hindi film dance steps are easy to learn. If you are very new to this form of dance then it is always advisable to take bollywood dancing lessons from a Hindi Film dance chroegrapher or you can join any classical dance academy/school.
Recently NDM Dance Production's four dancers in the troupe won the 4 Beauty Pageant titles on August 19, 2006 in USA, California. You can join NDM Dance Studios if you live in the Los Angeles area. You can also read more about Nakul Dev Mahajan , the founder & choreographer of NDM Dance Studios at http://www.ndmdance.com/choreographer.php.
