Steps in Time is a collection of eight films made through the Renaissance Partnership Initiative to create a contemporary filmed history of the story of dance in Leeds. Made in collaboration with Leeds Museums, Mojo Media, and the Yorkshire Film Archive, this project follows the inspiring, heart-felt, true story of dance through the eyes of the people who dance to live and live to dance. This film tells the story of Zoobin Surty and Indian Dance. Opening titles for Steps in Time - Zoobin...

Steps in Time is a collection of eight films made through the Renaissance Partnership Initiative to create a contemporary filmed history of the story of dance in Leeds. Made in collaboration with Leeds Museums, Mojo Media, and the Yorkshire Film Archive, this project follows the inspiring, heart-felt, true story of dance through the eyes of the people who dance to live and live to dance. This film tells the story of Zoobin Surty and Indian Dance. Opening titles for Steps in Time - Zoobin Surty 'Indian Dance' Zoobin explains how he first got into dancing. His father noticed that he had a natural rhythm and that's where it sparked off. He started copying dance from classic Indian films which he saw on television. Zoobin says that for a boy to copy these dances, people thought it was a bit odd. But his father saw the interest and put him in the right class with a good Guru. Zoobin trained mainly in Indian classical dance and specialises in kathak and bharatanatyam. Currently he is specialising in Bollywood because that is what is happening in the region. Zoobin comments he never thought he would end up in Leeds, but loves the city and loves to teach Indian dance and promote the Indian culture. Zoobin explains his process when dancing. Every class has a body conditioning warm up because it is very important to have your circulation going and the fire starting off. This is followed by travelling sequence because dancing in space is so important and to dance around people and in a small or large space so all the various people in the class know their limits. Finally they perform a set routine, but the class need to take ownership of their performance. Intercut with the interview is footage of Zoobin doing hand movements coinciding with images of Leeds sites (The Leeds Institute/Leeds City Museum, The Electric Press, Buildings, The Queens, The Corn Exchange Shops, Clock face, statues,) as well as Zoobin performing in studio mirror. Graphics - kathak, bharatanatyam, bollywood. There is footage of Leeds streets and a building, and Zoobin leads a dance class in the studio. Students in class go through steps to the music. Initially in Bollywood cinema, Indian classical dance and folk dance been blended. In the last 7/8 years, the westernization of the Bollywood industry has changed the movements, making them more contemporary. Zoobin explains this is why he classifies himself as a contemporary dance artist. Zoobin trained as an Indian classical dancer, and he wondered if he had done Bollywood films, where would his creation go? Looking for a change from the monotony, Zoobin went to the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Here he learned to fuse different styles of dance with his own, inspiring other dancers as well as gaining inspiration from them. Zoobin leads group through steps of routine slowly one move at a time. He also performs foot movements. Students go through a group routine. They perform wearing red tops in a dark studio. These images are intercut with Zoobin's hand movements and a countdown clock.