Taare Brings Bollywood Dance to the Cape District!


Taare is a Bollywood dance troupe based in Cape Town, who serves to preserve Indian arts and heritage through the promotion of dance, choreography and community enrichment.  

Taare consists of 30 talented dancers, most of them who are all day-time students and working professionals. Their showcases range from solos to performances with 12 dancers on stage at a time. Since their birth, Taare’s eloquent presence has graced various stages, such as the Arts and Culture Department in Cape Town, the South African Navy, South African Parliament, Baxter Dance Festivals (2012 – 2014), ‘Dancers love Dogs’ at the Artscape Opera House and the Cape Cultural Collective ‘Shades of Freedom’ celebration, amongst various other corporate and charitable events around Cape Town. 

Two milestone events in the history of Taare’s journey also includes their first production called “Dance Through Bollywood” in April 2013, followed by their second one titled “Rhythm India” at the Artscape Theatre in February 2015 – two original and magnificent offerings to the dance world!

Artistic Director Ahneesh Valodia relates that ‘unity within diversity’ is a value which Taare encourages in their high-quality dance instruction. “Taare is the only one of its kind in Cape Town,” says Ahneesh. “All aspiring Taare dancers must audition with the pre-requisite of being able to learn and perform choreography relatively well. Dancers are taught at weekly rehearsals, which will form part of a performance later on. We are always open to welcoming new faces to join our dance family!” 

Ahneesh is a self-taught Bollywood dancer and choreographer,     who is trained in the Indian classical dance style of Kathak - a class of dance originating from Northern India. He has performed at various events nationally, and draws creative inspiration from the composition, lyrics and the appropriate style in Bollywood dance, as well as the original context in which the song appears in a movie or music video. He also takes key learnings from the various choreographers and teachers that he has met throughout his journey.

Taare was first established by Ahneesh in 2012, after he got diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy – a degenerative muscular condition which has made him wheel-chair bound and prevented him from continuing his performance career. In spite of this health challenge, Ahneesh’s sheer love and passion for dance has led to the establishment of Taare at age 21.

“Being involved with Taare has allowed me to pursue dance through the medium of choreography,” says Ahneesh. “It also inspired me to extend beyond physical limitations and continue pursuing dance, which has always been my life-long passion.”     

Founder Member Kimeshni Pillai is overwhelmed with Taare’s public support, and shares a bit of what makes her happy to be this dance troupe. “I am fortunate to have found Taare – a school, a home, a family,” she says. “We would like to thank the dancers and clients that have shared in our incredible journey - one filled with unforgettable experiences! We look forward to bringing more varieties of Bollywood dance to the stages of Cape Town and the country at large.”

***Would you like Taare to perform at your event? Contact Ahneesh Valodia at the following details: (021) 633 7248, 083 700 6111 or dance@taare.co.za. Also visit Taare on social media:

www.taare.co.za
Facebook.com/TaareDance
Twitter.com/TaareDance
Youtube.com/TaareDance
Instagram: @TaareDance                                         
Did you know? Bollywood Dance (the dance style of the Indian Film Industry) is a fusion of many dance forms. Although it is primarily based on traditional Indian dance styles, Bollywood dance can feature influences of Indian classical, Indian folk and even Belly dancing, Spanish and Hip hop – any dance form that you can imagine! The creativity used in Bollywood dance is so diverse – one performance could be extremely traditional, while another could be extremely bold, sensual and modern. There are no limits to the creativity used in Bollywood dance choreography, as it is all about fantasy and glamour.

Photos for ‘Rhythm India’ below done by Bipin Prag!













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