LIVING ROOM’S GOT TALENT

pursuit of their passion.

BY PREETI JABBAL

'If you cannot reach dance, we will make sure that dance reaches you’ claims the new promo for Bollywood Dance School Australia.

When the COVID pandemic hit the world and their classes in Australia, Canada, UK and India got affected with lockdowns, the school decided to continue the joy of dance through their new programme they’re calling Dance Digital.

According to Darshan Pawar, Manager of the Sydney-based Bollywood Dance School Australia, this has proved to be a blessing for more than 1500 students worldwide, that can now participate through Dance Digital. It was challenging to begin with, as the teachers and students had to get used to digital engagement, but it did not take them long to get into the groove.

“Our students have adapted very well to the Zoom sessions,” Darshan told Indian Link. “We constantly receive positive feedback on how much they enjoy the online classes and how dancing alleviates their stress and keeps them fit.”

The ‘new normal’ for dance schools is getting people to warm up to dancing in their own living rooms.

Jaya Karan of Melbourne’s Studio J has a similar experience. According to her their online sessions commenced, reactively, around the initial phase of lockdowns in Victoria. With the help of her husband, a software developer, Jaya invested in a webcam and started online sessions. Her students and instructors came on board with great enthusiasm with nearly 70% taking up the option to learn online.

“I couldn’t have done this without the support and cooperation of our instructors and students,” shared Jaya. “Currently some 170 students participate in our sessions and the response has been very positive. Over time we have continued to refine the process.”

According to her the online sessions have a wider reach and attract a larger audience but they will never replace the traditional in person learning. They can, however, complement the studio sessions and present opportunities for an alternative revenue stream.

“Our classes have been popular and get sold out quickly,” Jaya revealed. “We’ve had to sometimes refuse students due to limited space and number restrictions. However with online classes anyone can join us from their living rooms from any part of the world. The visibility and exposure is enormous and there is no geographical limit to who can learn from us.”

The benefits of online classes are undeniable as they offer stability and continuity to existing students and maintain a sense of normalcy and routine, keeping them connected and happy in

This was certainly the case for Odissi exponent Dr Sam Goraya and his two talented guests from India. The trio were ahead of the curve in their move to the online portal. From a tentative step into the virtual platform to receiving over 10,000 views, their dance progress has been sharp and focussed.

The complete clamping of borders during COVID-19 adversely affected Samir and Santosh, two young dancers from India who were left stranded in Melbourne during their recent tour to perform an Odissi dance creation called Kundalini The Awakening.

Samir and Santosh are renowned Indian classical dancers from the Rudrakshya