Bollywood dancers from around the region will be gathering at Little Germany theatre The Priestley next month to battle it out at a championships event.

The event is being organised by Bradford's British Asian Dance Academy which runs Bollywood and Bhangra-style dancing classes for people of all ages, from children upwards.

The academy held Yorkshire's first Bollywood championships last year, when awards were presented by actor Jimmi Harkishin who plays Dev Alahan in Coronation Street.

The event was such a success principal Salma Zaman decided to hold it annually.

"It was great for people who had been attending classes and learning such a new skill to be presented with awards marking their achievements," says Salma. "At this year's event there will be a number of Bollywood performances from students; group dances as well as solos and duets. They will be competing against each other.

"All the students taking part have been attending the academy but we've also had external interest and some performers will be from Rotherham and Nelson.

"They will be judged by a panel of professional dancers and artspeople and there will be three runners-up in each category. Everyone will be presented with medals but the winner will receive a trophy. There will also be certificates for special achievements.

"It will be a wonderful evening of Bollywood dance, with performances by tiny tots, the older children and more."

Salma's academy was the first Bollywood dance school in the North. A dance and fitness instructor, she has worked with top Bollywood stars. She danced with Gareth Gates and the cast of BBC comedy Goodness Gracious Me in Comic Relief video Spirit in the Sky and she has performed with members of the Coronation Street cast. She has worked in Pakistan, learning dance styles of Lollywood, the Pakistani version of Bollywood, and in Turkey where she learned Arabic dancing.

"The students learn about Bollywood and we put big dance pieces together to funky Bollywood soundtracks and Bhangra beats," she says. "I teach basic skills, with emphasis on facial expressions and classical hand gestures. It's all about telling stories though the art of body language and dance steps.

"Modern Bollywood is a masala mix of ethnic styles. I also teach Bolly-aerobics' and Bhangra-cise' which people of all ages, sizes and shapes can enjoy.

"Asian communities have high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and obesity because often they don't participate in physical activity. But Asian people have been coming along, the classes are not intimidating like going to a gym can be. People from all cultures come along."

Salma runs classes for women, men and children.

Salma recently took part in a new TV show called Identity - and got to meet one of her idols, Donny Osmond. The pop icon is hosting the show, described by the BBC as the ultimate mind-game.' Already a big hit in America, the game tests contestants' impulse, judgement, perception and instinct as they attempt to match 12 strangers with their secret identities.

"I think it starts in August," says Salma. "A panel had to guess the identity of a line-up of guests, including me. Someone from the show saw my website and asked if I'd be involved. I met Bonnie Langford, Ray Quinn and Kenny Baker who played R2D2 in Star Wars. Meeting Donny Osmond was like a dream, he was lovely."

  • The Bollywood Dance Championships will be held at The Priestley, Chapel Street, Little Germany, on Monday August 6 at 7.30pm. For tickets ring (01274) 820666. For more details about the British Asian Dance Academy ring Salma on 07979 067011 or visit www.salmasbollywoodacademy.com