By Siyona Bordia ‘25, Arts and Entertainment Staff Writer

Popular song “Badtameez Dil” is featured in the movie “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewaani.” Image Courtesy of Dharma Productions

Bollywood music has been prevalent in India for decades, with nearly one billion listeners in the country alone. The word “Bollywood” comes from the combination of two words: “Bombay,” which is now the city of Mumbai, and “Hollywood” of the United States. Based out of Mumbai, the Bollywood industry is the world’s largest entertainment industry with the highest number of films produced and the most amount of tickets sold in totality. In each Bollywood film, there is an average of seven to eight songs that capture the attention of their viewers. With its unique rhythmic cycles known as taals, use of ethnic instruments, and complex melodies in both its films and songs, these Bollywood songs have taken over the Indian diaspora and is becoming appreciated by the rest of the world.

The popularity of Bollywood music can be attributed to its unique sense of style and rhythm. Songs like “Badtameez Dil” (badtameez meaning naughty and dil meaning heart) and “Bum Bum Bole” (meaning praise the lord) are light-hearted, fun songs that are easy for young children to sing along to. However, there are also more mature, slow songs that capture the hearts of older generations, such as “Tum Hi Ho” and “Tere Liye” (meaning just you and eternal life, respectively). 

Iconic female artists such as Shakira, Madonna, and Britney Spears have incorporated Bollywood music and dance into their own music. This wide mixing of cultures is truly beautiful to watch, as people who have never experienced the wonder of Bollywood are now able to see their favorite artists adopting these Bollywood-specific elements into their own music. Not only has American music been inspired by Bollywood, but the Bollywood industry also adopts many Western styles into its film and choreography, a sort of beautiful amalgamation of cultures. In modern Indian films, choreography frequently utilizes hip-hop and other contemporary styles of dance to make the actors stand out. The styles used by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s music videos are often reflected in popular Bollywood films.

Newark Academy has also engaged in the wonder of Bollywood music in several ways. For example, our very own Academy of Voices ensemble performed “Gallan Goodiyan” for the Choralpalooza, a manifestation of cultural diversity. Last year’s Holi presentation by the Indian Club highlighted a clip from the film “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” where the two protagonists celebrate Holi with their Indian community. Currently, a dance class organized by dance teacher Ms. Pacicco is currently learning the song “Ali Ali.” Apart from the dance moves, the song will most likely be accompanied by traditional costumes (ex. sarees or lehengas) and colorful makeup. Newark Academy faculty and students, specifically those with strong cultural roots in India, look to maintain them through these various experiences. Bollywood music is just one aspect of India’s various talents, and it is amazing to see how far its influence reaches.

Not only is Bollywood a cultural hub of all things that Indians hold close, but like other ethnic forms of art, it has gained recognition all over the world and will continue to spread for everyone to see.