Jhatka Jivers

‘‘It’s trendy, it’s cool and the bottomline is—all that’s Indian is in!’’ quips 40-year-old Gujarat-born dance instructor Jayesh Kumar Solanki aka Jay Kumar, who adds, ‘‘Madonna immortalised the bindi and henna. The British media too has been in on the Indian theme. The music then came along quite naturally.’’

After narrowly failing to make the cut in the auditions for Bombay Dreams, this professional dancer decided to fulfil his dreams by conducting Bollywood dance classes in West and Central London. ‘‘During my nine years of dancing in London, several enamoured Britishers would request me to conduct dance classes. So, 18 months ago, I set up my academy, Bollywood Dance Fever and it’s been rolling ever since.’’

Says Jay’s assistant instructor Susan Babbar (31), ‘‘Ten years ago, it wouldn’t have happened. But now, there is a great fusion of cultures, especially in London. Also, we play the latest, funked-up Hindi remixes—something the Britishers are used to listening to as well.’’

The English, meanwhile, are loving it.

‘‘I love the colours. I love the music,’’ says 45-year-old teacher Elane Honey, who’s been taking dance lessons for five weeks now. ‘‘The dances in Monsoon Wedding captivated me. An Indian friend introduced me to Bollywood dancing and I’ve been hooked ever since,’’ she smiles, professing that she prefers her unique hobby to aerobics anyday.

Most people, like Jennifer Woods, though admit to being confounded by Bollywood’s hip movements. ‘‘How do those Bollywood stars do it?! While I can’t do it, it’s fun trying,’’ she says with a wink.

But it’s not only about fun and exercise. As accountant Diane Parry (35) expresses, ‘‘Jay and Susan bring in different dances according to the season. Last month, we practised the stick dance (dandiya), learning the tradition behind the dances, which is an interesting way to come closer to a new culture.’’

London’s large British-Indian community has taken to the Bollywood dance lessons in a big way as well. For Anushree Udani (28), Indian dancing was the best way to stay in touch with her roots, while Daksha Hirani, a 31-year-old psychologist, took to it as a fun way to lose weight after her delivery.

But, in the end, it’s all about being trendy. Says Jay Kumar, ‘‘After all, when people hear Panjabi MC in nightclubs, they want to know some steps they can dance to.’’