APSARA ARTS

Building A Bridge Between Diverse Cultures Through Creative Arts

APSARA ARTS fosters cultural accessibility, celebrating diverse arts to enrich community life.

With dedicated volunteers and artists, we create participatory projects promoting heritage and arts in community and educational settings.

Connecting Communities Through the Magic of South Asian Arts

Unleashing the Magic of Culture and Creativity

Apsara Arts’ Education and Community programme connects with life in the UK through South Asian dance and arts, promoting learning, creativity and well being
within diverse communities.

We offer tailor-made workshops and residencies for all ages and abilities in various settings. Led by professionals, our projects create performance opportunities
inspiring wider interest in South Asian arts.

Our Workshops

We offer regular classes in Bollywood & Kathak dances.

Bollywood style

Our unique style of Bollywood dancing has an emphasis on elegance and interpreting the dance theme in a theatrical way.

The teaching combines moves from Indian classical, Arabic, folk and Western styles to the latest Bollywood tracks. Opportunities are offered to take part in high profile stage shows, home productions and events.

Kathak Style

This is an age-old dance that has grace, beauty and elegance. The classical dance has precise, strong footwork combining with delicate hand gestures and mesmerising spins.

The training provides a strong base for serious dancers who may wish to take a career in dance.

Class times

Every Saturday

Children

1PM TO 1.45PM – KATHAK
1.45PM TO 2.30PM – BOLLYWOOD

Teen

12.30PM TO 3.30PM – KATHAK & BOLLYWOOD

Women

3.30PM TO 4.30PM – BHANGRA/BOLLYWOOD

56A MITCHAM ROAD, CROYDON, CR0 3RG

upcoming events

WALK ‘N TALK

Join us for a FREE and FUN walking sessions at Coombe Woods, Coombe Road, Croydon, CR0 5RQ
Session Dates – May to September 2023

Every FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of the month

Time – 12pm-1pm finishing at Coach House Café

WEAR COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES & CLOTHING
info@apsaraarts.co.uk

Wedding stories

Whether you had a Big Fat Bollywood Wedding or a simple traditional ceremony, we want to
here your story of your special day.

Your story will be part of our exhibition at the Croydon Library later in the year.

For more information –info@apsaraarts.co.uk

Something Old, Something New, Something Bollywood...... Exhibition

Croydon Central Library

Exploring Indian wedding traditions and influence of the Bollywood films through personal
stories and a community celebration event.
Watch this space for more details

For enquiry: info@apsaraarts.co.uk

OUR PROGRAMMES

heritage Workshops

STORY TELLING workshops about Indian festival like DIWALI and ONAM. We explain the significance of rituals & Hindu Gods. FESTIVAL related ARTS like HENNA PAINTING & RANGOLI (floor arts using coloured power, petals & pulses). We can also tailor programme to fit in with your required theme.

Indian Dances

BOLLYWOOD dancing is a form of dancing that is used in Indian (Hindi) films. The dance itself combines India’s many classical and folk dances, fused with elements of world dance forms.Bollywood is all about fantasy and glamour and there really are no limits to the creativity. It is a fantastic workout. It’s upbeat, energetic and so much fun. Anyone can do Bollywood dance.

BHANGRA has its’ roots in Punjab and is a popular style for dancing at weddings and parties. These workshops are great way to keep fit, improve dance skills and are suitable for mixed group.

KATHAK is a classical dance style of northern India. Kathak derives its name from the word Katha, which means the art of story-telling. Kathak is characterised by fast spins, by finely detailed movements and by intricate footwork, which is enhanced by the sound of ankle bells. Our Kathak workshops takes a modern approach to classical Indian dance, combining storytelling withclassical Indian dance, structure and fun. Traditional ankle bells enhance rhythmic play and expressiveness. Storytelling fires your child’s imagination in this supportive and enjoyable learning environment.

DANDIA RAAS , a stick dance from Gujarat danced by men and women, using circular movements and accentuated by rhythmic beatings of the sticks. The workshop teaches the dance moves popular at the festival of ‘Navratri’. The workshop can also be designed for a performance piece.

GARBA is a very famous Gujarati dance, present at all auspicious occasion. The dancers move in circular movements clapping their hands and expressing their ecstacy in several graceful movements. The workshops teaches the popular moves practiced at the festival of ‘Navratri. The workshop can also be designed for a performance piece.

COMMUNITY CINEMA: We can programme and screen films from South East Asia; create debates and discussion around themed films like gender issues.

RESIDENCY in Indian Dance, Healthy life styles & Mindfulness: We can work on a longer term projects on raising awareness of healthy life styles through dance, exercise, healthy eating & mindfulness.