My mom and brother use to love watching James Bond movies.
Old ones, very old ones, new ones…Me and my family saw almost all of them in my
childhood days. I use to dance and perform from my very early childhood
days..not belly dance but all other dance forms like Jazz, Old school Hip Hop, etc.
‘From Russia With Love’ – I’m sure some of you’ll reading
this must have either seen this James Bond classic or heard of it at least. Well,
if not It’s a MUST WATCH as it’s in exactly this movie that I saw BELLY DANCING for the 1st time in my life and I went crazy. So yes it’s a must
watch for that BELLY DANCE SCENE :).. IT’S EXACTLY AT THIS POINT OF MY LIFE
THAT LEARNING BELLY DANCING BECAME MY DREAM.
[here is the link to the scene i am talking about ]
I use to try really hard in front of the mirror to imitate
the belly dancer from the movie scene but never really achieved all the moves.
My roots in old school Hip Hop helped me crack some of the moves but not all. I
had achieved a lot in almost all other free style dance forms but this surly
was a mystery. Trying hard to belly dance and look like these dancers was
making me insane. Some of the moves had become an unachievable dream. Because
of academics could not travel abroad for a long long time.
And finally one day I saw this beautiful mesmerizing pop
singer belly dancing to her song ‘ WHEREVER WHENEVER’ and I went crazy all over again. I totally give
Shakira the credit to not only popularize belly dancing all over the world but
also to change a lot of viewpoint about belly dancing which is there in this
blog if you click on the this link.
Yes,
Shakira got me insane to learn the art of belly dancing. I realized that there
is and could be so much more to belly dancing than what I saw in Shakira’s
video. Managing some moves was a piece of cake for me because of my strong
roots in popping and locking and old school Hip Hop but not all. I wanted to
and had to explore more in this beautiful dance art of belly dancing. I was
teaching and running my Institute Ritambhara Sahni’s Institute For The
Performing Arts [ RSIPA] at this point and time of my life which taught many
free style dance forms. My students all over my centers across Mumbai also kept
asking me to teach them belly dance. So as soon as I got the opportunity I travelled abroad to fulfill my childhood dream.
Learning belly dancing at various places all over the
world was a beautiful experience which I cherished and can never forget. I also
realized that I was so so right that belly dancing and popping and locking have
so many similar elements. Some moves that I could not figure out had a
different concept of doing from what they really appear and of course were easy
to do.
Must admit that being a dancer and a professional dance
instructor, Performer and choreographer back then in Mumbai, I learnt and
mastered the art of belly dancing and its various props and fusions quite fast.
Back then in 2001-2002 no one really taught belly dance In India forget Mumbai.
But I still dint start to teach this dance form in Mumbai. I taught a few
students a few moves and choreography’s doing belly dance workshops as I still
felt I had so much to explore in this dance form. So I kept travelling abroad to
explore each and every prop, fusion, style and every aspect of this dance art.
I finally launched Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni in 2005 and my dream to not only learn, learn more n more, to
teach , to perform , to choreograph, to create performers , to help people make
a career in this beautiful dance art has been going strong ever since and I’m
not going to stop. My dream is to keep learning belly dance and other dance
forms, keep teaching , help my students create a career as belly dance
performing artist, help them start their own institute, help them as belly
dance choreographers and whatever they wish to achieve in this dance from.
YES – BELLY DANCE HAS BEEN MY DREAM, I'M LIVING MY DREAM
AND WANT TO HELP MY STUDENTS ALSO LIVE THEIR DREAMS THAT THEY HAVE WITH THIS
DANCE ART AND I AM STILL DREAMING.
Belly dance for me is really a never ending
dream and reality.
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| STUDENTS POSING AT RITAMBHARA SAHNI'S BELLY DANCE INSTITUTE MUMBAI |
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| STUDENTS POSING AT BELLY DANCE INSTITUTE MUMBAI BY RITAMBHARA SAHNI |
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| Ritambhara Sahni - Students |
Do read my ARTICLE IN HINDUSTAN TIMES about how i credited Shakira for changing the viewpoint of belly dancing all over the world.
TO WATCH THE SINGLE WHEREVER WHENEVER IF I GOT U NOSTALGIC...
HERES THE LINK AS WELL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weRHyjj34ZE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weRHyjj34ZE
FOR MORE INFO ON BELLY DANCE INSTITUTE MUMBAI & RITAMBHARA SAHNI CLICK HERE: centers at Colaba, Bandra West , Khar West and Andheri West.
Ritambhara Sahni and her articles
Ritambhara Sahni - Her battle to change the viewpoint of Belly Dance in India and all over the world
Reviews by Ritambhara Sahni's students
Testimonial by Ritambhara Sahni's students
About Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni - student information
Belly Dance Institute Mumbai - centers at Colaba, Bandra West, Khar West and Andheri West
AND SO....
Ritambhara Sahni shared her childhood dream story with her students and the response was overwhelming and Ritambhara Sahni was full with love and gratitude for all her students.
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| RITAMBHARA SAHNI'S FUN FILLED CLASS |
We have A blog on our website - BELLY DANCE A CHILDHOOD DREAM.
OUR WEBSITE
The blog is all about the students of Belly dance institute mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni and Ritambhara Sahni herself expressing how they made their childhood dream a reality and everything that they felt in that journey as well and feel in their journey to come.
So we posted Ritambhara Sahni's journey to make her childhood dream to belly dance into a reality.
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| RITAMBHARA SAHNI |
EXCITED
Well of course she will and why not ???? Thats what this blog is really all about. So students do write me your dream and journey you took to make belly dance your reality says Ritambhara Sahni once again to all her students.
Ritambhara Sahni says
As soon as my students read the story....my students started to relate my story with their story and so many of them called me shared their stories with me over the phone. Have asked them to email me their stories and shall post them on my website soon in my belly dance - childhood dream blog section.
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| RITAMBHARA SAHNI AND THE MAGIC OF BELLY DANCE |
OVERWHELMING
Posted in all excitement and received an overwhelming response. Always love the positivity I receive from all my students.
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| RITAMBHARA SAHNI'S BELLY DANCE INSTITUTE MUMBAI |
FEELING LOVED
DANCE IS POSITIVE AND TEACHING ALL MY STUDENTS BELLY DANCE HAS FORMED THIS MAGICAL POSITIVITY BETWEEN THEM AND ME . AN AWESOME FEEL.
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| RITAMBHARA SAHNI'S BELLY DANCE INSTITUTE MUMBAI |
GRATITUTE
I THANK ALL MY STUDENTS TO GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH THEM AND RECEIVE THEIR POSITIVITY.
one of the best best belly dance class in mumbai
ReplyDeleteRitambhara Sahni you are a genius
Thank you sir. Means a lot coming from you. You have taught me so much in so many dance forms all my teenage life. Cherish those years. Thank you once again.
ReplyDeleteBefore I join the belly dance institute of Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni, I use to dance and was very proud to able to move like Shakira. However after I joined the class I saw Ritambhara Sahni performing while she was teaching us and I realised I didn't know anything. She is a Beautiful dance instructor and a lovely person. Looking at her I realise there is always more to learn no matter how good u get. Ritambhara Sahni inspires me and I am proud to be part of belly dance institute of Mumbai .
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Bhakti. You also inspire me in many ways and u r a beautiful dancer and I want us to work, teach n perform together till the rest of our lives. Love you
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteBefore I join the belly dance institute of Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni, I use to dance and was very proud to able to move like Shakira. However after I joined the class I saw Ritambhara Sahni performing while she was teaching us and I realised I didn't know anything. She is a Beautiful dance instructor and a lovely person. Looking at her I realise there is always more to learn no matter how good u get. Ritambhara Sahni inspires me and I am proud to be part of belly dance institute of Mumbai .
ReplyDeleteWow mam..so nice to read this . you have truly worked hard to make our dreams come true. Thank u mam for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWow mam..so nice to read this . you have truly worked hard to make our dreams come true. Thank u mam for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear. You are a beautiful belly dance artist and I would also want to know from you about when did u start dreaming about learning belly dancing. ..tell me at class��☺
ReplyDeleteRitambhara mam, reading your story is so so inspiring. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeletegood going Ritambhara mam
ReplyDeleteYes I so agree Ritambhara mam. Belly Dance has been a dream for me ever since I witnessed it for the first time. Thank you for making my dream come true and how. I am so excited to perform in your show. Belly Dance institute has made a Hugh and positive difference in my life. I agree with you that u r still dreaming as so am I. I am in a dream and I keep dreaming to Belly Dance n perform n learn more n more. I totally love u and ur institute and love ur story as I relate to it too.
ReplyDeleteritambhara Sahni is a wonderful teacher and a great motivator. learning from such an experienced and valuable teacher is bliss. it was really nice to read your story mam. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteritambhara Sahni is a wonderful teacher and a great motivator. learning from such an experienced and valuable teacher is bliss. it was really nice to read your story mam. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThan you so much Jay Trivedi and after so long...u were awesome at Hip Hop and those days were a lot of fun at class. Thanks for reading this and for all the lovly compliments. Thank u and it means a lot .
Deletelearning belly dance under your guidance is truly an experience. so good to read your story and so good to learn that you bought belly dance to Mumbai. being on level 10 and learning under u is my greatest accomplishment..it's truly my honor to be ur student. read about your struggle with the changing view point of belly dance n I can truly relate. Thank you for sharing both the stories I am your student for life ....so much to learn and gain from an experienced n knowledgeable teacher like you. . Thank you for everything
ReplyDeletelearning belly dance under your guidance is truly an experience. so good to read your story and so good to learn that you bought belly dance to Mumbai. being on level 10 and learning under u is my greatest accomplishment..it's truly my honor to be ur student. read about your struggle with the changing view point of belly dance n I can truly relate. Thank you for sharing both the stories I am your student for life ....so much to learn and gain from an experienced n knowledgeable teacher like you. . Thank you for everything
ReplyDeleteHey Srishtti, Thank you so so much for reading my story and writing this to me. I always receive immense love and respect from you and the feeling is mutual always. You are nw a part of my belly dance team and i have seen the passion with which you learn and practice and with the exact same passion you assist me teach others. I am so glad that you are a part of my belly team now. I have seen you experience that positive change of energy between the teacher and student as you feel so happy when u teach and someone learns. to talk about the magical positive exchange of energy between us ---is because we both want the same things that is to teach and make sure people learn and also we really want each other to progress. Our goals being the same and us working together and being there for each other is so much of positivity. I love each and every member in my team and we are for sure a family. Love you team and love you sristti. Thank you for writing this. Means a lot.
DeleteRitambhara mam. This is such an amazing story of yours. Watched the whole video of james bond and yes did get nostalgic and also watched shakira's video. its so amazing that you studied so much of belly dancing and you taught us so much. yet so much to learn and gain from such a knowledgeable teacher like you. I still remember a year and a half back when i spoke to you for the 1st time at your studio. your energy was so positive. the way you looked at me and spoke to me , i knew i was going to go really far in belly dancing and do a lot and achieve a lot under your guidance. i was proved right as today i am performing with you and the feeling is so good. i feel accomplished and still a magical energy to learn more and more. sorry im writing this really long but i always remember you telling me this again and again that its all in the mind. if you think you can you will. i have applied this to everything else in my life and been successful. lots of people said that my mind should be strong but i guess its the way u put it across. you have a magical way of motivation and you can make everyone so positive and amazing. i am so glad i met you. mam i want u as my teacher for life. thank you for everything.
ReplyDeleteWOW...Thank u so so much Samiksha. Im so glad u saw the James Bond video . I remember this video like so many times. Coz it was really this one clip that made me dream more and more and has got me here. To dream is to hope and then the burning desire to make it happen. ' The Secret' is also all about that which we have discussed about so many times. You have given me a lot of credit to get you to where you at today and i really appreciate it but its always 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. You have it in you to work hard and accomplish and i have always admired that about you. You would never give up on any technique. We caught you practicing outside waiting for the lift too ...hehehe. you are amazing my dear. oh yes i always say that so many times in the day that its 'really all in the mind '. i always teach with my heart to make your mind strong to adapt coz its really really all there in your mind and yes it does work like magic. Thanks a lot Samiksha , after reading this i am a very very happy woman. i feel so awesome. thank you my dear :)
ReplyDeleteRitambhara mam this is a truly amazing story and it was really nice to read it. Really nice to know how belly dance has been your childhood dream and how you perceviered and made belly dance your dream into such a beautiful reality. I have seen how you have trained almost over 10000 students and taught them in this beautiful art of belly dancing.its also lovly to know how you brought belly dancing into mumbai. I remember my 1st day learning with you and i was so nervous but yiu made me feel so comfortable. The feeling was truly amazing and motivarional so much so that it truely got me addicted to this dance art and i just cant seen to belly dance ever. Mam your classes are very positive and you really make them a lot of fun. Im glad and proud to be a part of belly dance institute mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni
ReplyDeleteRitambhara mam this is a truly amazing story and it was really nice to read it. Really nice to know how belly dance has been your childhood dream and how you perceviered and made belly dance your dream into such a beautiful reality. I have seen how you have trained almost over 10000 students and taught them in this beautiful art of belly dancing.its also lovly to know how you brought belly dancing into mumbai. I remember my 1st day learning with you and i was so nervous but yiu made me feel so comfortable. The feeling was truly amazing and motivarional so much so that it truely got me addicted to this dance art and i just cant seen to belly dance ever. Mam your classes are very positive and you really make them a lot of fun. Im glad and proud to be a part of belly dance institute mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni
ReplyDeletewow . read your story again today and i had to just say this to you. so the best way is to write out here. Ritambhara mam you are a true inspiration and a great motivator. i totally believe the struggle you had into bringing belly dance to Mumbai. you did it at a time when you were already established professionally with Ritambhara Sahni's institute for the performing arts. i was your student even then and i totally know how you struggled to keep your institute going and also learn be;lly dancing. i remember seeing all your write ups then in the hindustan times , in indian express and you came on the 1st page of bombay times. you are really hardworking and have made belly dance institute Mumbai by ritambhara sahni such a beautiful place. i have done you hip hop and krump class ans well as the belly dance class and you are so amazing always. a great great dancer. you create magic when you dance. i cannot take my eyes off you. thank you for bringing belly dance to Mumbai and fulling all our dreams to dance like Shakira.
ReplyDeletewow . read your story again today and i had to just say this to you. so the best way is to write out here. Ritambhara mam you are a true inspiration and a great motivator. i totally believe the struggle you had into bringing belly dance to Mumbai. you did it at a time when you were already established professionally with Ritambhara Sahni's institute for the performing arts. i was your student even then and i totally know how you struggled to keep your institute going and also learn be;lly dancing. i remember seeing all your write ups then in the hindustan times , in indian express and you came on the 1st page of bombay times. you are really hardworking and have made belly dance institute Mumbai by ritambhara sahni such a beautiful place. i have done you hip hop and krump class ans well as the belly dance class and you are so amazing always. a great great dancer. you create magic when you dance. i cannot take my eyes off you. thank you for bringing belly dance to Mumbai and fulling all our dreams to dance like Shakira.
ReplyDeleteSo many of my friends and myself would dream to dance like Shakira in our childhood days. We would really look forward to watch her video each time to just watch her dance and again and again and again. It was always so nice to watch her. We would even have endless discussions and we even tried to put up a dance in our school event trying to dance like her but was impossible. So yes belly dance a childhood dream is really a great concept to write on and it’s great to read your story mam. It’s really nice that you brought belly dance to Mumbai. I remember when I joint you I would dance so Bollywood and you really took your time to correct me and show me the difference between Bollywood and the art and technique of belly dancing. Though they both involve hip movements, the movements are still so different as belly dance techniques as you taught me are based on completely different principles. Yes I finally finally learnt and captured the difference and learnt this beautiful belly dance form with your guidance, learning, inspiration and above all motivation. Your institute – Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni has been a very important part of my life since a long long time and will continue to remain. The whole experience is so enriching and so worthwhile. Love your positive and happy energy. Loved reading this article. You really have worked hard and made a lot happen in terms of belly dance in our city and your show was a hugh success. Was really proud and glad to be a part of that as well. Looking forward as always to read more and more about you and your stories with belly dance as well as learn from you always and always and always.
ReplyDeleteBelly Dance Institute mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni are just the most wonderful, talented, kindest and awesome team of instructors. Ritambhara Sahni is a great friend and belly dance teacher ever. We all love and admire and very much appreciate her. I did Ritambhara Sahni's belly dance event this year and to me, this was our best show ever as far as crowd participation is concerned,also everything was right on schedule as always - no delays whatsoever in terms of practice or performance schedule which i have faced at other places. Also fantastic costumes and outstanding performances. Everyone was so complimentary and said they never enjoyed a show so much. So many came up to me, young and old, and said you were awesome. I was overwhelmed, really. And then when it was all over there was my friend sitting with my mom in the audience . She even came up with me to belly dance in the last song, but then it ended and we didn’t get to do but a few steps. Ritambhara Sahni's show was definitely a wonderful evening and all those super memories I will have forever. Thanks for taking so much time with all of us to teach us your beautiful dances Belly dance Institute Mumbai team and Ritambhara Sahni. I can say I am ready for our next next belly dance show and new choreographies to learn. Let’s get started early this year all over again. Im glad and proud to be Ritambhara Sahni's student - a great teacher, motivator, friend and guide to me always. Belly dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni is also a great place to meet like minded people and beautiful storng women. I have made so many wonderful friends here and have made so many positive connections , the kind i have experienced for the 1st time. Come and try the classes here. Its the best belly dance class in Mumbai and the most positive place on earth for me.
ReplyDelete