“Let me dance you a story,” you say by placing your hands on your hips*. And so, it begins. Widening your kohl-rimmed eyes, you stretch out your arms, shaking them like feathers. You are a peacock, proud and majestic. You are channeling the shape-shifting magic of Indian dance. With a dramatic twirl and quivering fingers, you begin to change again. Holding our breath, we watch your foot slowly trace a large arc on the floor. Then, in an explosion of energy, you begin stamping both feet, faster and faster, your ankle bells jingling with each move. You are a woman on fire now, a wrathful goddess. You are dancing the divine!

Hooray for Bollywood! Everything about it is larger than life, the lavish sets, the explosion of colors, the mob of fanatic background dancers. Bollywood dared to combine the heart of Indian dance with catchy tunes and eye-blinding glamour in a glorious melting pot. The biggest difference with its American sister Hollywood? The way Bollywood understands that some emotions can only be danced. * A mudra (hand gesture) that indicates the beginning of a drama