PERFORMANCE TIPS

Right Place, Right Time
Some of the best performers in Bollywood have practised classical Indian dance, according to Piali Ray – dancer, choreographer and director of SAMPAD South Asian Arts. Dawinder Bansal talks to Piali and finds out the route to becoming a choreographer.
Describe a a choreographer's job.
A choreographer's job is to make a dance sequence look good. A choreographer must understand how to use space, light, design and have a depth of knowledge about the subject matter, otherwise a routine can look shallow. They need to be able to recognise technique in other dancers, spot strengths and weaknesses therefore using appropriate movements.
In Indian dancing, it's important to present emotion in a piece of work, because that's what touches the audience. Have you had any experience of choreographing Bollywood-style dancing?
I've choreographed a huge range of productions where I've used a Bollywood style of dancing.
I don't think Bollywood is a particular genre of dance, it's just dancing that goes with music from films and is something that's appropriate to screen.
It's very lavish and uses hundreds of dancers to add to the glamour of Bollywood. What's the route you've taken in becoming a choreographer? I've been a classical Indian dancer for years and as time went on, I wanted to create so decided to become a choreographer.
It takes time to become a good choreographer, so you'll start off with small projects and from that you will develop the confidence to create bigger and bolder pieces of work.
Each time I choreograph a routine, I push myself beyond the boundaries. What changes have you noticed in Bollywood over the last 25 years?
A number of things have improved and added to the slickness of the films. Technology, acting ability, and dancing has vastly improved.
Now all the dancers are professionally trained which is visible in their technique. What makes Bollywood-choreographed routines so impressive? A lot of the dance sequences look so impressive because of the sheer number of dancers used.
So if you have a hundred hands moving in the same direction, and you know how to use a camera angle, then that can look amazing.
It's also the glamorous consumes, colour and extravagant set.
What do you need to consider when you're choreographing a routine?
Music, words, and use of light and space
Creativity and originality – very important in good choreography.
Look at examples of innovation in Bollywood – choreographers such as Saroj Khan and Farah Khan. They always use something new in their routines, there's always a surprise element and that's what identifies them as being unique. How would you describe a good and bad choreographer? There is predictable choreography, and innovative choreography. A lesser choreographer is likely to use movements that have already been done. A good choreographer will bring the music to life, add a dimension to the character and know how to use performers in the best possible way. Most actresses are good movers, and know how to work to the camera. However, not all actors are good dancers, so a chorographer should give them subtle moves, which are not too demanding on posture. They still make them look good, and know how to make the best out of someone's capabilities. Are you able to spot the classical influence in it? Yes absolutely. Some of the most outstanding dancers such as Sri Devi, Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit have done years of classical dancing. They may not have danced classically in the movie, but they know how to dance well. You don't just start dancing in a Bollywood film, without any knowledge about your physique, muscle control, posture and to how you present your body. All of that, with the total sharpness of movement comes from learning technique, which classical dance provides. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into choreography? Dancing is just like learning a language. First you need to learn the alphabet, learn verbs, and then you make sentences and start writing essays. Depending on how good you are, you begin writing poetry, stories and songs etc. My personal belief is that, you can't teach choreography. A choreographer is something that you become, over time.
Learn how to dance and understand what it is – I don't know any choreographers who have not been dancers in their career
Learn more than one style of dancing
Analyse dance routines, see what look goods and what doesn't
See other people's work and experience what's out there
Aim to be individualistic by trying out your own ideas
Soak yourself in music, visual arts, literature – understanding the whole ecology of art, makes a good artist.
Lastly, you don't become a good choreographer overnight. Anyone who wants to get into it, should continuously learn and develop new ideas and techniques, and there has to be a degree of understanding and experience to be recognised as unique.