Forget pole dancing. The most recent phenomenon in dance comes from India’s movie industry of over-the-top musicals. As seen on the big screen, Bollywood dance is a mix of classical Indian styles like Bharatanatyam and Kathak with hip hop and modern dance. The result is a fun combination taught in dance studios like Madrid’s Centro Club Masala. Where Spain meets Mumbai.
There posters of richly dressed Indian stars line the blood red walls. Ubiquitous bindis and intricate cholis, along with other Indian clothing and jewelry for sale, are set out on display. Exotic-looking lamps, pillows, and a precarious silver staircase further set the stage of the dance center’s entryway.
Downstairs the Saturday workshop in the small studio begins with a short introduction to the concept and a bindi placed over the third eye of each of the nine participants. “To get us in the right mood,” explains the teacher, her forearms covered in bangles and each ankle with a band of small bells.
Over the course of the class we laugh and sweat and learn dance moves that have us screwing in light bulbs, picking fruit, grinding, threshing, putting on makeup, sewing clothes, and removing the evil eye, along with hip gyrating and a couple woe-is-me and how-lovestruck-am-I poses. The music is pure Bollywood and ranges from fast and furious to verses ideal for dramatic meandering, but the effect is highly addictive.
Centro Club Masala
Calle Ponciano, 4
Metro: Plaza de España
Madrid, Spain
