December

Consulate General of India, HK 2023

Beyond Bollywood was invited by the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong to organize a two-day workshop. On December 7, the Consulate celebrated International Women's Day in partnership with Beyond Bollywood co-organized a free Indian dance workshop . Following this, on December 8, another workshop on Indian classical dance, specifically Bharatnatyam, was presented.
Additionally, the Consulate General celebrated the inscription of "Garba of Gujarat" in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This was marked by a Garba workshop conducted by the highly talented Ms. Krystal Saraswati Chow from Beyond Bollywood, in collaboration with the Gujarat Samaj Hong Kong.

November

Hong Kong Food Carnival 2023

Beyond Bollywood was honored to be one of the performers at the 10th Hong Kong Food Carnival on November 4, which featured the theme "多元印「蹈」" (Diverse Indian Dance). By performing Indian dance, we showcased vibrant performances that highlighted the beauty of Indian culture.

October

AWAKE Indian Dance Festival 2023

After a two-year hiatus since 2021, Beyond Bollywood organized the AWAKE Indian Dance Festival once again. The festival ran from October to December 2023, with the theme "Together Under ONE Roof" .
Flowing from all directions, streams do not plan but naturally converge as they follow the contour of the hills. Imagine people from different cultural backgrounds are also meeting each other across bends and turns, across lands. In the cultural river of Hong Kong, Indian culture has always been swirling, intertwining with local history, contributing to the beautiful stream.
This festival served as a platform for artistic and cross-cultural exchange, showcasing the richness of Indian culture both locally and internationally. It featured a variety of activities, including performances, seminars, and dance workshops such as Kathak Dance and Tabla workshops. Attendees also enjoyed an Indian Bazaar in October, offering Indian-style handmade products like accessories and bags.
Additionally, the festival included the "Dance. Trance" exhibition at JCCAC in October, which explored the unique language of Indian dance through Mudra (hand gestures) and traced the historical and cultural footprints of the eight classical Indian dances, folk dances, and Bollywood dance. The exhibition featured the intricate and stunning works of Indian artist Kashmiro DOSHI, with four time slots for guided tours that included live performances by Indian dancers. Visitors also had the opportunity to collaboratively create a Rangoli in the Diwali section, a blessing pattern made from fruits and vegetables. Accompanied by Indian music, incense, and candles, this exhibition provided a full sensory experience.

July

My Life on the fringe (Solo play)

Beyond Bollywood was honored to present My Life on the Fringe, a solo play by Uday Sathala, our co-founder and artistic director. Following six successful performances that received widespread appreciation, the play was reprised on July 7, 2023, at JCCAC, highly recommended by previous audiences.
This unique production explores the complex history of Hong Kong through classical and contemporary Indian dance, including Bollywood, Bhangra, and Kathak. It is the first solo performance in Hong Kong to utilize Indian dance as its primary medium.
Uday shares his memories of Hyderabad intertwined with his life in Hong Kong, addressing themes of belonging and identity. Through rich gestural language, the performance touches on minority experiences, colonial history, and environmental conservation, inviting the audience to view the city from the perspective of someone on the fringe.

July

The 1st HK International Inclusive Dance Festival 2023, co-organized with CCCD

The First Hong Kong International Inclusive Dance Festival, organized by the Centre for Community Cultural Development and co-hosted by Beyond Bollywood, featured a series of dynamic activities, including performances and workshops aimed at showcasing inclusive dance from Hong Kong and around the world. This groundbreaking event sought to break down barriers between individuals with and without disabilities through dance, fostering artistic exploration and community building.
The festival included diverse workshops conducted by 11 independent artists and organizations, reflecting on the history and achievements of inclusive dance while exploring future possibilities.
From July 1, the festival showcased three consecutive days of performances at the JCCAC, highlighting the talents of inclusive artists. Celebrating the creative dance movement that began in Hong Kong in the 1990s, these performances demonstrated that dance is for everyone.
Additionally, from July 8 to 10, the festival featured screenings and seminars with guest speakers discussing topics such as dance for health, enriching the overall experience.

January

Forum of Indian Professionals, HK 2023

Beyond Bollywood was honored to be invited by the Forum of Indian Professionals to perform on January 14 at the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, celebrating the 21st anniversary of FIPHK. The performance energized the atmosphere with vibrant Indian dance styles, including Bhangra, Bharatanatyam, and Bollywood dance.