Hare Ram: Classical Indian? Bollywood? Funky?
Jennifer Choo Sue Chin | July 8, 2008The dance Hare Ram has indeed attracted many line dancers all around the world. There are currently more than 15 videos of Hare Ram line dance on youtube. I’m sure this is just a tip of the ice berg as there are many others which I know that love this dance but hadn’t recorded it nor put it on the www. And although the videos are all depicting Asian dancers, I’ve gotten feedback emails from Americans and Europeans alike. So, Asians aren’t the only ones who were dancing it 😛
The song Bhool Bhulaiyaa is the title song for the movie of the same name. The fun, catchy and groovy tune of Bhool Bhulaiyaa has captured the interests of many line dancers. Based on its Indian origin, many creative and innovative line dancers are seen adding the Indian factor into the dance. You can see it in the hand movements, head movements etc, when ppl dance it in parties and in the videos. It’s fun to incorporate those steps and feel like you’re in a Bollywood movie, dancing amongst the trees… especially when you dance it complete with Indian costumes and accessories!
And I’m really not complaining! 😀 I’m glad enough that my dance was taught and danced widely. But here’s my 2 cents worth as I’ve been getting a lot of queries asking for my opinion on the “indian factor”.
Putting the Indian factor into Hare Ram is NOT wrong, although I had choreographed the dance WITHOUT any “Classical Indian” factor. The only Indian factors there are in Hare Ram was the language (Hindi) and that it originates from India, sung by an Indian (Neeraj Shridhar) and the title song for a Bollywood movie (Bhool Bhulaiyaa). The beats are funky, thus I’ve choreographed it the funky Bollywood style. The beats are also strong, so the dance needs to be executed with strong energy and attitude. It will not look nice, if the movements are not strong enough for the beats.
All in all, this is simply just line dancing, where ppl dance to destress and have fun and socialise. By all means, be creative and add any movements you deem appropriate but MOST OF ALL, REMEMBER TO HAVE LOTS OF FUN!
Hare Ram… Hare Ram… Hare Krishna Hare Ram… (shimmy shimmy)…