India and Indonesia share strong cultural ties since ancient times. Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata have influenced traditional culture and performing arts in the archipelago, and many Indonesians still have a passion for India’s rich culture.

Romy Raja Hindustani, for example, can’t get enough of Bollywood. When Romy was a little kid, he used to watch Bollywood movies at the cinema with his family. Now 43, Romy still finds Indian movies special, and he tries to spare time to go to the cinema to watch them with his friends, members of the Jakarta-based Bollywood Mania Club Indonesia (BMCI). The BMCI regularly holds live screenings of Bollywood movies at the cinema.

In December last year, the BMCI held a live-screening of the 2018 romantic drama Zero. The movie features Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is often dubbed the King of Bollywood.

“There are songs and dances that give Bollywood movies a dreamlike quality,” Romy said. “The storyline is unreal and that’s what makes the movies entertaining.”

Captivated with India’s culture, many BMCI members taught themselves Hindi and Indian dances. The club also likes to hunt down Indian food by going to events held by the Indian community in Jakarta. “There will be a lot of Indian food stalls at those events,” Romy said.

Romy, one of the managers of the BMCI, said that even though the club members had their own busy schedules, they would always try to find a way to spend time together. “Our passion for Bollywood will never fade away,” he said.

“Through this community, we can indulge our passion together.”

Sanjna Mukherjee, 27, another BMCI member, said she liked to join the activities of the club, including watching movies together. “We can mingle with others who share the same passion,” Sanjna said.

Sanjna, who works as a professional Bollywood dancer in Jakarta, added that she had developed an interest in Indian culture since the first time she listened to a CD of Indian songs that her mother bought when she was a little girl. She then taught herself to dance to Indian songs until finally she joined Indian dancing classes, which saw her take part in various competitions and festivals.

With more than 7,300 members following its Facebook page, the BMCI has six branches across Indonesia: BMCI Cirebon in West Java, BMCI Majalengka in West Java, BMCI Indramayu in West Java, BMCI East Java, BMCI Central Java, and BMCI Palembang in South Sumatra. 

The BMCI also holds annual meetings in Jakarta to celebrate its anniversary, which generally draw 400 to 500 participants from across the country. “The Central Java club always brings the most members,” Romy said, adding that there were at least two buses from Central Java last year, bringing together loyal Bollywood fans from a number of cities across the province for the BMCI party.

Many of the participants wear traditional Indian clothes to attend the anniversary event, where they can expect to enjoy Indian cuisine. The party features a range of activities, such as fashion shows, singing and dancing competitions.

“We always sing at the anniversary party,” Romy said. “And each year we sing different Indian songs, because we’re always updated on the latest hits of Indian music.”

Yoga

Not only India’s pop culture and cuisine have charmed Indonesians, yoga has also become part of the lifestyle of many Indonesians. The fact that most gyms and fitness centers offer yoga classes reveals how yoga is a trend among urbanites.

Yoga has become increasingly popular worldwide, especially after the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014.

The Jakarta-based Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre (JNICC) has held yoga classes for 40 years since its establishment in 1979. The JNICC teaches yoga to more than 100 students five days a week, exploring meditation and pranayama, or breathing exercise.

Teachers at the JNICC are Indian yoga experts who hold a certificate from the government. Highly skilled and trained, these yoga gurus are sent to cultural centers across the globe to teach.

“In today’s fast-paced life, we’re progressing in every aspect, but our stress is increasing as well,” said JNICC director Makrand Shukla. He added that too much stress might cause a decrease in work performance.

“Yoga can be the best health therapy,” Makrand said, adding that yoga could have benefits for the body, mind and soul.

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