Festival spot for Skye’s Bollywood dancers
A troupe of Gaelic-speaking Bollywood dancers from Staffin on Skye are to perform at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
Six years ago, Davinder and Sonia Gill moved from London to run Mackenzie Stores, a filling station and grocery shop in the remote community of Staffin. Since then, the Gills have introduced takeaway food to the store and their two youngest children, Heaven, 8, and Prayr, 7, have started at Staffin Primary School.
Before moving north, Sonia was a dancer in Bhangra and Bollywood groups, performing across the UK in many shows, including at the Dome in Birmingham for the Bhangra Awards.
In Skye, the troupe she coaches, Staffin Bollywood, started as a fundraiser for the Skye Dance Festival whose organisers were so impressed they asked the dancers to take part in the festival showcase. Now they have been invited to perform at one of Scotland’s premier music festivals.
Up to 15 of the 20 children in the school participate, their ages ranging between P1 and P7. All dressed in different Bollywood outfits.
Rehearsing weekly at the school, Sonia says they are now looking into fusing Gaelic songs with Bollywood music, with the first performances in this genre possibly at Belladrum this year.
‘I go through the different styles of dance when teaching, not only Bollywood as it is important for them to have versatility,’ said Sonia.
‘The youngsters learn about Indian culture, food, clothes, music, traditions and, of course, dance as there are so many variations of dance – giving a different visual result. I learn from them as well – everyday is a lesson.’
Promoter Jon Gibbs said Sonia’s troupe is the ‘perfect answer to a prayer’ for organisers, given that this year’s theme for the family-friendly festival is Bollywood, and he is looking forward to welcoming them.
Together with their other two children, Angel, 18, and Dream, 17, the Gill family are thrilled with their life in Skye.
‘Skye is an amazing place, a great place to raise children and to be a part of the community,’ added Sonia.
‘People are so nice. We live the dream as it is such a beautiful place.’
Staffin Bollywood will be hitting the main stage at Bella at 1.35pm on Saturday August 4.