Bollywood Dance Movies and Indian American Identity Formation
Bollywood Dance Movies and Indian American Identity Formation
Introduction
Bollywood song and dance draws attention to Indian film studies as one of the most dominant and distinguishing features of the Indian culture (Dudrah, 2006, p.26). Dancing within movies is becoming among the most common attributes of modern popular culture that generates and reflects diversity in cultures and the traditional values of a society. Consequently, films have become a major part of modern society, through which people are becoming aware of different cultures from all over the world. My research explores the roles of dancing within Bollywood movies in constructing and maintaining the cultural identity among second-generation Indian Americans. This study will demonstrate how Bollywood dancing among second-generation Indian Americans intersect to create a notion of “Indianness.” This qualitative research study is based on cultural studies and seeks to explore the role of Bollywood dance in movies in identity construction among second-generation Indian Americans using in-depth interviews, focus groups and participant observations. Discussions generated showed that the process of cultural identity construction and maintenance among second-generation Indian Americas depended on interpersonal communication. Interestingly, the study found that through social factors—family, friends and social activities—in association with Bollywood dance movies play a dominate role in constructing and maintaining second-generation Indian Americans’ identity. Bhuyan (2006) believes that Bollywood dance movies not only acts as a bridge between home and diaspora, but helps transmit the culture and traditions that play a crucial role in maintaining “Indianness,” among second-generation Indian Americans.
A Brief History of Bollywood Industry According to Basu (2004), preserving and maintaining one’s own culture and identity has become a serious challenge. However, with the increasing popularity of
Introduction
Bollywood song and dance draws attention to Indian film studies as one of the most dominant and distinguishing features of the Indian culture (Dudrah, 2006, p.26). Dancing within movies is becoming among the most common attributes of modern popular culture that generates and reflects diversity in cultures and the traditional values of a society. Consequently, films have become a major part of modern society, through which people are becoming aware of different cultures from all over the world. My research explores the roles of dancing within Bollywood movies in constructing and maintaining the cultural identity among second-generation Indian Americans. This study will demonstrate how Bollywood dancing among second-generation Indian Americans intersect to create a notion of “Indianness.” This qualitative research study is based on cultural studies and seeks to explore the role of Bollywood dance in movies in identity construction among second-generation Indian Americans using in-depth interviews, focus groups and participant observations. Discussions generated showed that the process of cultural identity construction and maintenance among second-generation Indian Americas depended on interpersonal communication. Interestingly, the study found that through social factors—family, friends and social activities—in association with Bollywood dance movies play a dominate role in constructing and maintaining second-generation Indian Americans’ identity. Bhuyan (2006) believes that Bollywood dance movies not only acts as a bridge between home and diaspora, but helps transmit the culture and traditions that play a crucial role in maintaining “Indianness,” among second-generation Indian Americans.
A Brief History of Bollywood Industry According to Basu (2004), preserving and maintaining one’s own culture and identity has become a serious challenge. However, with the increasing popularity of
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