Bollywood beats

GROWING up in Australia, Zerina Millard didn’t feel a strong connection to her Indian heritage.

It wasn’t until she went to the subcontinent to study classical Indian dance in her 20s that she discovered an affinity with the country where her mum originated, and a strong desire to share its culture.

After returning home, Millard and her sister Shamil formed the Bollywood Sisters dance troupe to share their passion for the dynamic and theatrical dance style.

“We had explored many other genres in our lives, but not Bollywood,” Millard said.

Millard, who has a certificate II in dance from the Northern Rivers Arts Conservatorium, said she loves how inclusive Bollywood dancing is.

“It combines not only traditional Indian styles, but more modern styles,” she said. “It’s a real mixture of genres. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s all about colour, connection and joy.”

She also loves the colour and the bling of the traditional Indian costumes they wear.

The troupe rehearses at Millard’s home studio in Sleepy Hollow near Pottsville, and performs at corporate events, festivals, parties and fundraisers throughout the region.

“We’ve even performed at funerals,” she said.

Millard also offers classes at Ballina CWA Hall and leads tours to India every year.

“It’s such a fun trip,” she said. “We spend the first five days in Kochi working with a local dance studio and then we head to a beachside village where Devesh Michandani, a famous choreographer and dancer from Mumbai, joins us.

“The tour culminates with a performance and party on the last night. It’s great to see how the local people enjoy seeing us embracing their culture.”

For more information, visit bollywoodsisters.com