• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Kids Events in Austin this Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Experience Bollywood Right Here in Austin

August 18, 2015 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Bollywood Dancing at Long Center in Austin

Bollywood dancing in front of the Austin skyline

Austin Bollywood Day 2015 was a success! While the weather was exceptionally hot, hundreds of visitors were in good spirits while checking out the festivities at the Long Center. If you missed this recent August event, don’t worry. There are several happenings throughout the year to celebrate the vibrancy and excitement of Bollywood in Austin, and you can get involved.

Quick Look at the Brightness of Bollywood

The name “Bollywood” comes from combining “Bombay” (former name for the city of Mumbai) and “Hollywood.” It refers to the Hindi language film industry (there are numerous other film industries in India representing other languages).

When people talk about “Bollywood dance,” they’re referring to the dancing seen in Bollywood films. The music can be of many genres, so the dancing technique lends itself to hip hop, contemporary, jazz, folk and so on, depending on the music genre.

Nisha Agrawal Henna Artist in Austin

Talented local artist Nisha Agrawal expertly applied intricate henna designs to visitors during Austin Bollywood Day

Movers and Shakers

I spoke with Prakash Mohandas, a founder of Austin Bollywood Day, to find out more about Bollywood related activities in Austin. This was only the second Austin Bollywood Day, and the first time the city officially proclaimed the event. Food trailers, accessory and clothing vendors, pulsating music and a henna artist were all in attendance.

Every hour, there was a dance tutorial leading up to a world-recording breaking attempt to have hundreds of people dancing the same Bollywood dance (to the best of their ability). In the afternoon, there was also a procession of drumming and dancing from the Capitol to the Long Center called a baraat. This practice usually involves the arrival of the groom during a traditional Indian wedding ceremony.

Samosa Spot Food Truck Austin

Samosa Spot, one of several food vendors on site during Austin Bollywood Day

Prakash’s goal with the event was to give visitors the opportunity to enjoy Indian culture, spread the word about Bollywood dance and movies and help local artists gain an audience for their endeavors. All ages and ethnicities were welcome, and you didn’t even need to be a good dancer to participate!

How to Get Involved

Ballet Austin Bollywood Dance Calss

Prakash leads a class at Ballet Austin
(Credit: Ballet Austin’s Butler Center for Dance & Fitness)

Those who enjoyed the dancing (which was everyone I saw), can take dance classes from Prakash and his colleagues at Agni Dance Company, the first Bollywood dance company in Austin. Prakash founded it in 2007, before the success of Slumdog Millionaire and before Bollywood became a dance category on the popular TV show So You Think You Can Dance. Since the release of mainstream Bollywood-inspired entertainment, interest in Bollywood dance has grown significantly in Austin and all over the U.S.

Classes and workshops are periodically offered at Ballet Austin and the Long Center. Coming up on August 30th, Ballet Austin is hosting “Come Dance!”, a free day of dance with Bollywood included.

Bollywood musical

A scene from Om Shanti: Once Upon a Time in Bollywood (Credit: Sajan Photography)

If you aren’t looking for lessons, there are other Bollywood events to keep your eye on. In 2013, Agni Entertainment presented the completely locally made musical, Om Shanti: Once Upon a Time in Bollywood, which is now touring the country. The dance company anticipates producing more musicals to showcase the talent in Austin–hopefully one every year! Follow Agni Entertainment on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss these incredible local productions.

If you’re interested in a high energy club event, follow DJ Nish, the resident DJ at Austin Bollywood Day 2015. He throws “Austin’s Biggest Bollywood Party” every few months.

Bollywood Day Dance in Austin

All smiles during Bollywood Day

I had a blast during Austin Bollywood Day. The music, beautiful sights and high energy made it a memorable event and a little peek into the world of Bollywood. I may not have caught on to the dance 100% or even 75%, but that just means I have room to improve next year.

 

@MadameKLM wants to know:

Have you attempted a Bollywood dance?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kelli McDonald
Kelli McDonald
Kelli McDonald
Latest posts by Kelli McDonald (see all)
  • Guide to Bat Season in Austin - July 20, 2020
  • Reimagining Life With Rachel Ahern of Weird City Taxidermy - March 28, 2017
  • SXSW Red Carpet Musings With Todrick Hall, Nick Offerman - March 22, 2017

Filed Under: Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Events Tagged With: dance

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Top Kids Events in Austin June 20-22, 2025

Top Kids Events in Austin June 20 – June 22 include DRUMLine Live- Juneteenth Tour, Young Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, and More!

Juneteenth Events Austin

Juneteenth Events Austin 2025 – Celebrations, Concerts, and more!

Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 20, 2025

Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 20 Include Jaws on the Water, City-Wide Vintage Sale, and More!

Top Father’s Day Picks Austin

Top Father’s Day Picks in Austin – Jun 15, 2025

Father's Day Deals Austin

Father’s Day Deals Austin 2025| Brunch, Retail, Tech & More

Recent Posts

  • Top Kids Events in Austin June 20 – June 22 include DRUMLine Live- Juneteenth Tour, Young Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, and More!
  • Juneteenth Events Austin 2025 – Celebrations, Concerts, and more!
  • Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 20 Include Jaws on the Water, City-Wide Vintage Sale, and More!
  • Top Father’s Day Picks in Austin – Jun 15, 2025
  • Father’s Day Deals Austin 2025| Brunch, Retail, Tech & More

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in