But Indian classical dancer, choreographer and teacher Vivek Kinra said the ancient Indian dance form was just as colourful and energetic as Bollywood.
Dunedin residents had the opportunity to see Kinra perform the exotic dance at two concerts in the Mary Hopewell Theatre at the University of Otago College of Education last night and again tonight.
The 43-year-old is renowned for his expertise in Bharata-Natyam dance and has performed in some of the great theatres in India, Russia, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.
"It is very demanding physically. It's a combination of ballet, yoga and gymnastics - it's quite aerobic and fast moving."
Kinra said he began dancing as soon as he could walk, and had the good fortune of living next door to a family from the foothills of the Himalayas.
"I joined my neighbours who did folk and tribal dancing, and my interest in dancing kept growing."
Later, he began training with Guru Sridharan Nayar and studied with several outstanding exponents of Bharata-Natyam at the Kalakshetra Academy in Madras, India.
Kinra was awarded a Government of India scholarship for advanced studies at Kalakshetra and holds a post-graduate dance diploma.
Since moving to New Zealand in 1990, Kinra has established the New Zealand Academy of Bharata-Natyam and is its artistic director.
He is also the leader of the Mudra Dance Company based in Wellington.
Kinra said his visit to Dunedin was part of a nationwide tour celebrating two decades of residency and performance in New Zealand.
