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Nakul Dev Mahajan would have never thought in his wildest dreams that he would one day be the pioneering dancer/choreographer to bring California its first Indian dance school with an exclusive custom designed Indian Dance facility. Perhaps it was his obsession of dance that is the secret of his success or the motto that Nakul has followed, which inspired him to create the first Bollywood Dance Troupe in southern California under his dance company, NDM Bollywood Dance Productions.

 

"I consider that dreams only come true to those who genuinely work hard to make them happen and those who have an inner passion for what they love."

 

Nakul has been dancing on stage for the past eighteen years but truly started dancing when he was eight years old in his room secretly. Influenced by the great Bollywood icon, Amitabh Bachchan and other Bollywood stars of the 70s and 80s, Nakul started mimicking their moves and perfected their dance sequences from their films. Dancing became a part of Nakul's daily life, his mantra. However, his talent was hidden from his family for years.

 

"I knew he was dancing in his room, but he would always shy away from showing his father and me. It wasn't until the Diwali show where we saw him perform for the first time. We were all shocked and amazed." - Renu Mahajan

 

Aside from Bollywood celebrities, Nakul was heavily influenced by American Idol judge Paula Abdul, who in the late 80s and early 90's was a super star Recording Artist and Choreographer. Paula Abdul brought dance and choreography in music videos to a different level.

 

"I was 'spellbound' when I saw her music videos. At the age of 16, I did not have any dance training, everything that I knew was self taught. I remember that I had Paula's music videos memorized and I was able to do all of her jazz based moves even though I had never stepped foot in a jazz class before."

 

The popularity of Nakul's performances spread and he was in demand to perform at local South Asian events. Still with no formal training, Nakul began teaching and choreographing not only for himself, but for members in his community. Nakul then decided to take Kathak, an Indian classical dance form. His journey of Kathak lasted seven years while he trained in Bharata Natyam, Post Modern, Bhangra, Hip-hop, African Tribal, Ballroom, Salsa, Folklorico and Jazz. Ultimately diversity in learning a plethora of dance forms had given Nakul a multifaceted style of Bollywood Dancing. Through his active involvement in charity shows, dance contests and concerts, Nakul's unique style made him a household name in the Los Angeles South Asian community.

 

Nakul graduated from the University of California Riverside with a degree in Sociology and Dance in 2002. He continues promoting cultural awareness and running the 1st Bollywood Dance School and Company in the nation, NDM Bollywood Dance Productions and Studios, which has served over 3000 students since they opened their doors in 2003.

 

Nakul has become a Bollywood ambassador, bringing the Art of Bollywood dancing to diverse audiences throughout the US and beyond. His work and vision has created national press and entertainment attention, including features on ABC Nightline, Time Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times. He has worked with a plethora of celebrities such as Natalie Portman, David Schwimmer, Chris Kattan, Steve Carrel, and Kal Penn, to name a few. His major Hollywood choreography credits include Passions, The Office, Character Fantasy, MTV and Superstars of Dance. Nakul’s choreography on So You Think You Can Dance and America's Best Dance Crew has garnered international interest and secured his role as Hollywood’s Favorite Bollywood Choreographer.