Shows in Auckland and Tauranga with exotic costumes and dances
Venkat Raman
Indian Cinema has been a source of inspiration and awe for millions of people all over the world and for almost 120 years, it has witnessed the emergence and rise of hundreds of thousands of actors, producers, directors, cinematographers, musicians and other artistes.
Bollywood is a name given to the Hindi film industry to denote the largest segment of the country’s cinema, although ‘Tollywood,’ and ‘Kollywood,’ representing Telugu and Tamil Cinema are also significant, accounting for more box-office hits.
Nonetheless, glamour and gossip hold Bollywood in an exalted status and over the years, this industry has adapted to changes and absorbed technological advances. Bollywood film stars and technicians are today in demand in Hollywood and other cinematic centres around the world. It has a place of honour among its western counterparts.
Delving into the history of one of the most important aspects of India’s performing arts is ‘The Merchants of Bollywood,’ a music and dance spectacle that has enchanted millions of people all over the world.
The theatrical dance spectacular will be staged in Auckland and Tauranga later this month.
Following is the Schedule:
The Merchants of Bollywood in Auckland
Venue: The Civic Theatre, Corner of Queen Street & Wellesley Street West
Friday, October 19, 2018 at 730 pm
Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 2 pm
Saturday, October 20, 2018: 730 pm
Sunday, October 21, 2018: 3 pm
Tickets from Ticketmaster.co.nz
The Merchants of Bollywood in Tauranga:
Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 730 pm at Baypark Arena, Tauranga
Tickets from Ticketek.co.nz
“Indian Culture is at the heart of this extravaganza,” says Carol Furtado, who plays the central character in ‘The Merchants of Bollywood.’
Since her debut in 2006, Carol has been an integral part of this ‘story of conflict between generations,’ blending tradition with the modern and adapting modern trends, without sacrificing the values of the past.
“This musical journey, started by Vaibhavi Merchant (granddaughter of legendary musician and choreographer Hiralal Merchant) has had the world in rapt attention. The narrative style of a bygone age in dance form is apparently one of the most innovative aspects of the event,” she said.
Carol plays the role of Ayesha Merchant, an ambitious youngster who questions traditions and challenges the norms, and yet respects values.
“The Merchants of Bollywood is always evolving, but retains its base of the life of the Merchant family. It incorporates the music, dance and situations of the past, matching the trends of today. The show therefore retains its relevance all the time,” she said.
Carol has excelled as a dancer, actress, model and designer.
This India-born young woman of Portuguese descent is a graduate in Sociology, with an ever-increasing passion for dance.
Beginning her career at the MTV Launch in Bangalore in 1996 performing alongside Slash of ‘Guns & Roses’ fame, Carol got her big break when a budding choreographer spotted her dancing at a local club and offered her the opportunity to become a professional dancer.
During the same year, she performed with Shweta Shetty (India’s top female pop performer at that time) which led to her first international appearance in Nepal.
The following year Carol was featured in the music video ‘Bari Barsi’ with Baba Sehgal, the pioneer of rap music in India.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) took her to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong-Kong and Chengdu as a performer in the China Art Festival. By 1999, Carol had expanded her global experiences by touring Holland, USA and Canada with singer Kumar Sanu and Sri Lanka with Bavana.
The Merchants of Bollywood ushered in a major change in her life and career.
The show transcends time and is a touching tribute to the Bollywood greats of yesterday and the box-office hits of today complimented by the outstanding music arrangements by Salim-Sulaiman.
A fictional story, yet based on real life, “The Merchants of Bollywood” will reveal to the Western audience the workings of cinema and the part it plays in the heart and soul of Indian society in an extraordinary evening of music and dance at the heart of which lies a heartfelt story of a young girl, her grandfather and their love of dance.
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Photo Caption:
- A tale of glamour and sombreness through the ages
- Costumes, Colour and Calibre
The dancing couple has captivated world audiences
