LUCKY students from a theatre school experienced the energy, enthusiasm and passion of Bollywood dance.

Youngsters who go to Stagecoach lessons in Carlisle and Cockermouth attended workshops lead by Pyria Sundar, an Indian dance practitioner.

Priya’s son, Sai, attends Stagecoach and is in the Early Stages sessions.

Principal Naomi Bewsher said: “The spirit of Bollywood came to our schools.

“The vibrant, uplifting and cheerful music, colours and energy of the Indian culture and music was delightful. “The students and team joined in three Bollywood style dances using Indian Dance Festival Music sticks, beautiful scarves and storytelling through gesture and facial expressions.

"It was great fun. One students said it made her feel joyful.

“It is so important to give a broad performing arts education to our students be it musical theatre, physical theatre, contemporary dance or three part harmony acapella singing; world culture and world theatre opens up even more avenues to explore.

“Priya was fantastic with the students, her passion and energy were infectious.

“The older students particularly enjoyed the question and answer session asking interesting and valuable question which Priya was only too happy to answer.”

Team member Helen Teasdale, who joined in the workshops, said: “Priya was fantastic. She connected with each age group perfectly, delivering a workshop suited to their abilities and making it fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable.

“I was really impressed with our students, how they listened intently, attempted every move, even incorporated props.

“Their discipline, teamwork and respect they gave to Priya was a credit to them.

“They were all buzzing when it finished wanting to know when they could do Bollywood again.”

The name Bollywood is a merging of Bombay, the old name of Mumbai, and Hollywood, the centre of the United States film industry.

The Indian movie industry produces over 1,000 films every year, nearly four to five times the output of Hollywood, making it the largest film industry in the world.