Program in English | Åbolly Dance School

Åbolly Diwali Show – October 19, 2025

Good afternoon, and a very warm welcome to the Åbolly Dance School’s Diwali Show!
My name is Kirsi Pitkänen – I’m one of tonight’s dancers and will also serve as your host together with Teija Ahola. Teija will appear in the first performance and will join me on stage as co-host during the second half of the show.

Åbolly Dance School, founded by Teija Ahola, is a Bollywood dance school offering a wide range of Indian dance styles. This autumn, classes have been held in Turku (Itäharju and Martti) and Naantali – and they will continue after the show. If tonight’s performance inspires you to dance, visit www.abolly.com for more information about our classes.

The show consists of two parts, with a 20-minute intermission in between.
We kindly ask you to turn off or silence your mobile phones.
Photography and filming are welcome from your seat and without flash.

Tonight we celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Lights, one of the most important festivals in Indian culture. Diwali brings people together to share good food, beautiful lights, and joyful moments.
We hope our performance brings you happiness and offers a rich introduction to various Indian and oriental dance styles, as well as a few surprising journeys – even to Ireland and the magical world of burlesque.

PROGRAMME

Garba – Rang Bhini Radha
Åbolly Dancers open the show with a lively Garba dance where dandiya sticks and skirts spin in joyful rhythm! The piece playfully tells the story of Radha and Krishna, deities of Hindu mythology.
Choreography: Sanna Soni
Ghoomar
Three graceful dancers – Mari (Nach Baliye), Mikaela (Etnica), and Daria (Åbolly) – perform a traditional Rajasthani Ghoomar dance. The name comes from the word ghoomna, meaning “to spin.”
Choreography: Hemant Devara
Odissi – performed by Selsi Pattnaik
Selsi, originally from Odisha, presents a classical Odissi dance from India’s eastern coast. The piece honors the virtues and deeds of Lord Krishna. Odissi is one of India’s oldest and most refined classical dance forms, known for its expressive gestures (mudras) and graceful movements.
Wires in My Brain – Naja Duo
A debut performance! Naja is formed by friends Anni Vuorela and Amanda Mäkimurto. With their versatile backgrounds, they explore movement boldly and authentically.
Choreography: Naja Duo
Bharatanatyam – Gayathri Menon
This performance is a tribute to Goddess Durga, celebrating her beauty, compassion, and power. Gayathri is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer trained in several classical Indian dance styles. She is the founder of Fusia Performing Arts in Finland.
Piece: Keerthanam Charukeshi Sarasija Lochani – Ragam Charukesi, Adi Talam
Saiyaan Hatto Jao – Åbolly Dancers
A woman pleads with her lover to leave and stop his flirting before dawn reveals their secret love.
Choreography: Hemant Devara
Bhawai – Sanna Soni
Originating from Rajasthan, Bhawai is one of North India’s oldest theatrical forms. The dancer balances multiple pots on her head while telling a story through fluid movement and music – a beautiful metaphor for women’s strength and resilience.
Choreography and performance: Sanna Soni
Bellywood – O Saki Saki
The Helsinki-based group Etnica presents a vibrant fusion of Middle Eastern and Indian dance.
Choreography: Mikaela Jokinen
Shadow Work – Anu Toivonen
A Latin Show piece about embracing one’s inner shadow and personal growth. Dance styles include paso doble and rumba.
Choreography: Anu Toivonen & Valtteri Palin
Naach Medley – Åbolly Dancers & Apoorwa Hooda
Two contrasting choreographies come together in a joyful celebration of dance itself.
Choreography: Daria Anttila & Apoorwa Hooda
Frenemies – Åbolly Dancers
When two rival dance groups face off on stage – expect sparks! A mix of street style and Bollywood drama.
Choreography: Daria Anttila
Mujra – Kati Viitanen
A tribute to the elegance of classic Bollywood mujra, combining classical dance with cinematic charm.
Music: In Aankhon Ke Masti & Dil Cheez Kya Hai (from Umrao Jaan)
Show Burlesque – Flaming Firecrackers
Flama Dance Studio’s burlesque group brings sparkle, humor, and attitude to the stage.
Choreography: Mirka Saali
Bollywood – Barso Re
Apoorwa Hooda performs a dance inspired by the monsoon rains.
Inspired by: Anvi Shetty
Bollywood-Garba – Jhume Re Gori
From Åbolly’s open-level class in Turku: a joyful, high-energy Garba choreographed by Daria Anttila. Expect color, rhythm, and pure Diwali spirit.
Choreography: Daria Anttila
Chari Dance – Nach Baliye
The only group in Finland performing this Rajasthani art form! Dancers balance pots filled with fire, symbolizing good fortune and welcome.
Performance: Nach Baliye
Raqset Amar – Moon Dance Studio
A modern fusion belly dance inspired by the deep blue sea and the longing of the mythical hero Odysseus.
Choreography: Raqset Amar
Irish Dance – Dragún Irish Dancers
Celebrating their 15th anniversary, this Turku-based association presents a lively choreography by Irish dancer Mark Hennessey.
Music: Beoga – Mickey the Pipes
Rajvaadi Odhni – Åbolly Naantali Open Level Students
A story of a woman draping herself in a royal Rajasthani veil, expressing pride, grace, and love.
Choreography: Teija Ahola
Dance styles: Kathak, Ghoomar, Bollywood
Belly Riot – Turku
A mesmerizing fusion belly dance ensemble taking the audience on an imaginative journey through storytelling and movement.
Choreography: Amanda Mäkimurto
Bhangra Medley – Lotus Bhangra Crew (Helsinki)
Experience the energy of traditional Bhangra with live dhol drumming – for the first time in Finland!
Guest choreographer: Jasmeet Singh (workshops in Finland, Nov 21–23)
Mohiniyattam – Fusia Performing Arts
Karukare Karmukil celebrates rain, nature, and dancing peacocks in the monsoon. A graceful jugalbandi unites Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam traditions in harmony.
Choreography: Gayathri Menon
Ui Amma – Åbolly Dancers
Our grand finale! A joyful and expressive piece by Hemant Devara – a true Diwali firework on stage.
Premiered the day before at the Finland–India Society’s Diwali celebration in Espoo
.

THANK YOU

Our Festival of Lights has come to an end. Thank you for celebrating Diwali with us! Special thanks to the technical team and all our amazing performers:

Selsi Pattnaik
Naja & Belly Riot
Gayathri Menon & Fusia Performing Arts
Dragún Irish Dancers
Lotus Bhangra Crew
Nach Baliye
Etnica
MDS Raqset Amar & Anu Toivonen
Kati Viitanen
Flaming Firecrackers
Apoorwa Hooda
Åbolly Dance School Students & Åbolly Dancers

Have a safe journey home – and come dance with us again soon!