New dance classes bring Bollywood to Craven (From Craven Herald)

New dance classes bring Bollywood to Craven

10:30am Friday 15th May 2009 in Search Module

Bollywood has arrived in the Dales as part of a drive to attract more diverse communities to the countryside.

The Rendezvous hotel in Skipton has launched Bollywood dance classes, and this summer the venue will host Yorkshire’s Bollywood Dance Championships, which are expected to attract around 350 people from diverse communities across the region.

The hotel is building on the success of the £1 million Mosaic Partnership, launched in 2005 to forge links between National Parks and ethnic minority communities.

Mosaic’s aim has been to attract greater numbers of ethnic minority people to the countryside and involve them in making decisions about the running of National Parks as volunteers, employees or members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Managed by the Campaign For National Parks, in partnership with the Youth Hostels Association and four National Park Authorities, the scheme has been granted £932,314 – from Natural England’s £25 million Access To Nature grant scheme – to continue for another three years.

The partnership has built on the foundations of the Mosaic Project, strengthening links with cities that have multi-cultural urban populations by promoting National Parks in their region and establishing cultural events and other activities to develop interest in natural environments.

Now Skipton’s Rendezvous hotel has launched Bollywood dance classes – and Yorkshire’s only Bollywood Dance Championships.

The classes are led by Salma Zaman, who owns Salma’s Bollywood Academy, which runs lessons in Bradford.

“Bollywood dancing has proved popular in cities like Bradford and it’s great to bring it to the Dales. There’s something very calming and uplifting about the area, “ says Salma. “It does the power of good to escape an urban environment and head out into a rural area. There’s beautiful countryside right on the doorstep of Bradford and Keighley.”

Salma, who also teaches Bollywood acting techniques, says the English countryside is often used as a backdrop for Bollywood films shot in the UK.

“It’s an ideal rural setting for our routines, which are inspired by films, “ she says.

Coronation Street actor Jimmi Harkishin is being lined up for the judging panel at the Bollywood Dance Champion-ships, to be held at the Rendezvous in August.

“I teach in Yorkshire and Manchester and this event will bring all my students together,” says Salma.

“It’s a special occasion, full of Bollywood glamour, and the Rendezvous is perfect, with its stunning location and capacity for large numbers. We’ve worked really well in partnership. Together we’re creating an opportunity to encourage ethnic minority families out of the inner cities and into the countryside.”

Salma plans to teach routines inspired by the Bollywood dance in Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, written by Glusburn’s Simon Beaufoy.

“I’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in inquiries since Slumdog Millionaire – it’s been overwhelming,” she says. “People from all backgrounds and ages see Bollywood dancing as a fun way to keep fit.”

Rendezvous proprietors Karen and Malcolm Weaving hope Bollywood will widen the appeal of the area to ethnic communities.

“We’re so excited about the Bollywood classes, and about hosting the Bollywood Dance Championships,” said Karen. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for more people to learn about the dancing, keep fit – and see more of Skipton. In partnership with Salma, we’re delighted to bring the Eastern experience of Bollywood to the Yorkshire Dales. We want people to go somewhere they love, to do something they love.”

Asian couples taking part in Bollywood classes will have a chance to win a free wedding hire at the hotel.

“Salma is including a new category in the Bollywood Dance Championships especially for brides and grooms-to-be, and we’ll offer our venue free to the couple who win this category, “ says Karen. “It looks set to be a spectacular night.”

Salma, who choreographed a Bollywood sequence in Coronation Street and the video for Gareth Gates’s Comic Relief hit, Spirit In The Sky, is keen for couples to get involved with the dance classes.

“I’m devising a wedding-style routine, complete with confetti. With such a beautiful rural setting, it will be really romantic, “ she says.

Monthly Bollywood dance classes will be held at the Rendezvous hotel, Skipton, on Wednesdays from 7pm to 8pm. For details ring 01756 700100. For more about Salma’s Bollywood Academy, ring 0797 4008239 or visit the website at salmasbollywoodacademy.com.