Archana is an award-winning Choreographer with her own bollywood performing arts school, AK Bollywood. Her authentic yet striking ethos is reflected in the rich colours and the vibrancy of theatre which are elegantly intertwined with the dance teaching: “at AK Bollywood we have a range of dynamic classes,” Archana told us. “They cater to toddlers (ages 3-6), older children (ages 6-12) and teens; the latter involves more intricate choreography and helps develop to professional standards. We also run bollywood workout classes, offering sequences to get you toning, sweating and burning those excess calories. But, the one element they all have in common is expressiveness of the self. This is what AK represents. Dance allows you to get lost in a place where you can be free and relaxed. There’s a personal creativity and beauty to it. If you watch the old Bollywood movies, the actresses will go through several costume changes sporting a different sari for every time you’ve blinked! Radiating charisma and the ability to feel a whole spectrum of emotions.”
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You know the delectable dancer’s outgoing philosophy is airtight when the entertainment aspect of her academy is thriving through it too. AK has successfully hosted a plethora of dance productions and provides specialist services, from corporate and public events to more private functions such as weddings and throwing Mehndi night parties: “I’ve had the great pleasure of working and dancing alongside Gary Lineker for the Walker’s Onion Bhaji crisps commercial! Running the school and developing our place on the social stage has given us the evolution of opportunities such as this.” Archana also happens to be the UK Battle of Bollywood Champion and took home the winning title for the Yash Raj Madhuri Dixit dance competition. But the final sparkle is Archana’s honest passion. She made sure to emphasise to us: “it is fun to glam up in beautiful garments and attend high profile events, but what is central to AK’s legacy is the building of self-esteem: the idea of inner confidence and just being yourself in dance is the ultimate ideal we hope to spread throughout the community. We have done a lot of work to encourage fitness and well-being in Brent and Harrow our main base and hope to keep doing this through our high quality signature teaching.” It only makes sense.Only someone with a big heart could be promoting the broad benefits of a whole cultural canon.
Were you always interested in Dance? Tell me about your journey and how the Company came to be?
I started dancing at the tender age of 3. I started off with Diwali functions where my dad was choreographing my dance moves. Since then I’ve enjoyed dancing and performing and that organically escalated into the teaching of dance. AK has been running for 5 years now and I couldn’t be more proud. We educate children on dance, bring out their inner confidence and offer them opportunities to shine on stage. I’ve been teaching for a while now, working within the community and on several side projects. The dance school came about after an independent dance lesson where one of the students approached me to ask whether I could do classes on a regular basis. We now have a fully-fledged institution of roughly 150 students. I’ve arrived at where I am today because of the passion of my students, their parents and my team of dedicated instructors.
Do you think Bollywood is an exciting way of engaging other cultures?
Yes! We do keep the foundation of traditional dance but we also have elements of Bhangra, Street, Salsa and very recently also the Bollywood and Zumba workouts. It’s about having fun, embracing culture and keeping fit and active all at the same time! I think it’s an extension of my own personal style: I have training in Classical Dance but have also trained with some great modern choreographers when I’ve flown out to India.
What are the keys to professional success for you?
Being passionate about what you do while keeping humble in the process. If you stay grounded and keep in mind where you started off from – not getting too lost in the stardom – you’ll find that you go far. For example, as a dance school, AK has also worked with and fundraised for charities such as: KIDS, Cancer Research, Water Aid and the NSPCC.
In your experience as Artistic Director, what have been some of your most memorable events?
Diwali in Trafalgar Square: an event we do regularly. The vibe is incredible; there are thousands and thousands of people. You can feel the communal spirit. All these talented dancers come together to promote the diverse act of dance and culture. We did a piece there -a few years back – which was a 6 minute long meld of fusion dances. There were 15 acts, and there were costume changes every minute. You can imagine the energy was incredible.
How exactly does fashion and colour enter into this type of dance?
Bollywood is full of colours, beautiful henna prints and authentic jewellery. At AK we believe having a multiplicity of garments, split across one act, gives an element of surprise: it’s beautiful to watch and really gives the dancing an edge.
What is a sophisticated dance technique you really enjoy?
I really like the traditional hip movements such as the Thumka.
What’s been the most difficult obstacle in launching your company?
I don’t see many obstacles actually. When you have passion, you find that you’re naturally adapting to overcome difficulty.
What are some of your favourite sequences in a Bollywood Movie?
Madhuri Dixit dancing to Dhak Dhak in Beta; she is expressive to the point where she’s telling the entire story through her eye movements.
Finally, do you have a personal Motto?
Live, love, dance.
