Dimple's Passion for Bollywood, Dance & Fitness

"Dancing, that's my passion, my first love"

I'm a dance fitness instructor and currently deliver 3 classes a week in Leicestershire (Birstall and Hamilton). The classes I run are designed to be fun, and engaging, and provide a safe space for women to enjoy a fun fitness activity. They predominantly attract women with a South Asian background as I use Bollywood music, old and new, which can be highly energetic music and can really get ladies moving.

Positive Impacts

The positive impact my South Asian background has on my life in the UK is that the culture, the liveliness, the colour and the community of togetherness has helped me become who I am today. I benefit from being a British Asian as I lead a life enriched by South Asian culture alongside the quality of a British life. My background meant I grew up watching Bollywood movies, dancing along in front of my TV with Aishwarya Rai and the inspiring dancer Madhuri Dixit, and enjoying Bollywood music.

When 16, I saw a documentary about The Indian classical dance form Bharat Natyam, and that sprung to life my passion for Indian classical dance. I found a dance teacher in Leicester, the amazing Smita Vadnerkar of Nupur Arts, and began training in the rhythms and intricacies of this dance form. I also dabbled in Bollywood and folk dance and had many opportunities to perform, and after a few years began to teach. Smita, from India, is someone who I built a strong connection with. Through her knowledge and deep-rooted connection with India, I had the chance to learn different dance styles from India and the different village folk dances, all which have a story to tell. This was so enriching, and I became integrated into a wider Indian dance community in Leicester where Bharat Natyam, Kathak and folk dances from different parts of India were prevalent.

Indian music and dance has actually bought me a lot of joy throughout my life, as it ignites a form of expression for me which I have been able to share with so many people over the years. Even though it is South Asian music, you don't need to be from a South Asian background to enjoy it.

I started BollyFit classes as I wanted to keep dancing after having my daughter, but without the pressure of performing. I wanted others to experience the enrichment and highs I have always got from South Asian dance and music and I love sharing the joy that dancing can give both physically and mentally to women who might need an outlet from their everyday life. The number of women that tell me how much happier and energised they feel after a class is amazing, and is something I hear time and time again. The music I use is always energizing and uplifting, and as many women of my generation identify as British Asian, I always ensure this is represented with some Bollywood mixes featuring Soul, Pop and RandB artists too.

Bollywood dance is so accessible because it picks out the best bits of many different dance styles, from Latin dance, street, Indian classical and many more, and so it becomes fun and universal. The best thing is, is that it doesn't exclude, open to all to enjoy as you please.

I offer 3 classes in Leicestershire, in Birstall and Hamilton, which include dancing and a good stretch at the end. It makes exercising fun and encourages movement without the need of getting the moves right. No judgement, no expectation. I am a big believer that dancing will ignite your soul and feed you smiles all round, and you will find plenty of giggles in class.

South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) first took place in 2020 and runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August each year. SAHM seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities. The month seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia. For more information please visit: https://southasianheritage.org.uk/about-the-south-asian-heritage-month/ Here you will find a wealth of information and resources about SAHM and how you can get involved celebrating the amazing communities and people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who are of South Asian Heritage.