Bollywood moves hit Nanaimo

It's no secret that dance is becoming very popular these days, both as a social activity and as a form of fitness.

Bollywood is a relative newcomer to the North American dance scene, but with hit movies like Slumdog Millionaire offering audiences a taste of the popular Indian dance, interest in learning this dance style is growing.

Soul Sister Studio will present a Bollywood workshop for women with Victoria's Raji Basi this Saturday. The first workshop scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. filled almost immediately, so a second session has been added from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Both sessions will be the same, and will included both the slower, gentler Bollywood dance style, as well as the more energetic Bhangra style. The workshops will be held at Soul Sister, 210 Fourth St. in Harewood.

Born in the Punjab State of India, Basi taught herself to dance watching Bollywood films. Raji's passion are choreographing and dancing to Punjabi/Hindi songs, which she has performed in many local variety shows and for television programs. She has also taught dance to children and adults in Victoria. Raji was recently in Nanaimo to present a dance workshop at the Multicultural HealthFest and is excited to return to share her love of this dance form with Nanaimo.