HEADLINE BIO (50 words)
BINDI BOSSES BINDI BOSSES is a progressive, matriarchal South Asian Fusion Arts company based in Warrang (Sydney) that seamlessly blends Traditional Indian Classical and Folk dances with influences from South Asian Cinema and Street dances from around the world. It provides a platform for diverse artists to collaborate and create through Dance, Costume Design, Henna Art, Styling, Photography, Videography and more.
SHORT BIO (150-200 words)
BINDI BOSSES is a progressive, matriarchal South Asian Fusion Arts company based in Warrang (Sydney) that seamlessly blends Traditional Indian Classical and Folk dances with influences from South Asian Cinema and Street dances from around the world.
BINDI BOSSES provides a platform for diverse artists to collaborate and create through Dance, Costume Design, Henna Art, Styling, Music Production, Photography, Videography and more.
Directed by Shyamla Eswaran, winner of the 2020 Multicultural NSW Premier’s Harmony Medal (Arts & Culture), BINDI BOSSES performances have featured at TEDxSydney 2020, ICC T20 World Cup 2020 at Sydney Opera House, sold out events at Oxford Art Factory and Enmore Theatre and Half-Time entertainment for Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Area with L-FRESH The LION (17,500+ crowd).
BINDI BOSSES concept videos have received public praise from Rowi Singh, Cartel Madras, Lilly Singh, Posdnous from De La Soul, Nooky, Sonam Kapoor, BARKAA, Milan Ring and, most recently, Baker Boy for the “Meditjin” concept video shot at Bankstown Arts Centre.
“We stand in solidarity with the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we practice, perform and stand and use our art to challenge traditional norms and preconceptions. We do not pander to what people outside (or inside) our cultures expect to see. Instead, we are redefining what that looks like on our own terms, beyond the stereotype of Bollywood.”
FULL BIO (300 words)
Established in April 2019, BINDI BOSSES is a progressive, contemporary South Asian performing arts company that seamlessly blends Traditional Indian Classical and Folk dances with influences from South Asian Cinema and Street dances from around the world. BINDI BOSSES performances reflect mixed cultural backgrounds and influences spanning Australia, South India, North India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Kenya and beyond.
Directed by Shyamla, winner of the 2020 Multicultural NSW Premier’s Harmony Medal (Arts & Culture), BINDI BOSSES provides a platform for culturally and linguistically diverse artists to collaborate and create live fusion dance performances featuring signature Henna-style Face & Body Art.
“We use dance and art to challenge traditional norms and preconceptions. We do not pander to what people outside (or inside) our cultures expect to see. Instead, we are redefining what that looks like on our own terms, beyond the stereotype of Bollywood.
We stand in solidarity with the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we practice and perform (known as ‘Australia’) and advocate for greater South Asian representation, cultural and linguistic diversity, female empowerment, racial equity and intersectional inclusion."
BINDI BOSSES have been commended by local and international South Asian artists/influencers (Lilly Singh, Cartel Madras, Rowi Singh, Sonam Kapoor) and have featured in media by SBS Australia, Huffington Post, SBS Hindi, SBS Tamil and South Asian Today (Australia's first multimedia outlet for South Asian women and non binary folks).
Recent performances include ICC T20 World Cup 2020, sold out events at Oxford Art Factory and Enmore Theatre and Half-Time entertainment for Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Area with L-FRESH The LION in front of 17,500+ people and a guest talk by BINDI BOSSES Director Shyamla and whole crew performance at TEDxSydney 2020.
QUOTES
“They always bring the crowd into the experience - everyone gets moving, everyone is smiling, everyone forgets about their lives for a while and is completely entranced by the movement and music” - Milan Ring
CORE ARTISTS: Shyamla Eswaran, Ragavi Ragavan, Jes Subba, Shankari Jeyaseelan, Smrithi Karmakonda, Divya Saxena, Sarangi Rupasinghe, Sakshi Brahmbhatt
FEATURED ARTISTS: JamarzOnMarz, Durga Shivaji, Shashi Senthan, Lihini Rose
COSTUME DESIGNER / STYLIST: Meera by Poornima Sharma
HENNA-STYLE FACE & BODY ARTISTS: Henna By Nubaisha, Mongkee Artistry
PHOTO CREDITS
Please ensure photo credits are included for all and any use of approved images below.
BRANDING GUIDELINES
BINDI BOSSES to appear capitalised and without "the". i.e. just BINDI BOSSES not The Bindi Bosses or Bindi Bosses.
WHY THE NAME BINDI BOSSES?
The name “BINDI BOSSES” is a way to reclaim and celebrate diverse South Asian heritage through the symbolism of the Bindi - a small mark worn on the centre of the forehead to represent the ajna chakra (also known as the third eye chakra). The Bindi is considered to be the point where creation begins: "the sacred symbol of the cosmos in its unmanifested state”. Being a BINDI BOSS means to be bold, proud, empowered and free in expressing and celebrating cultural identity.
WHY WE DANCE + WHAT WE DO
BINDI BOSSES believes in repping and supporting culture, values and aligned causes. We use dance and art to challenge traditional norms and preconceptions. We do not pander to what people outside (or inside) our cultures expect to see. Instead, we are redefining what that looks like on our own terms, beyond the stereotype of Bollywood.
Our vision is a future where South Asian Artists are valued and respected within their communities, the Arts are regarded as a viable career option and South Asian artists can feel comfortable expressing themselves in multifaceted ways free from stereotypes and expectations based on their appearance and/or cultural background.
We stand in solidarity with the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we practice and perform and advocate for greater South Asian representation, cultural and linguistic diversity, female empowerment, racial equity and intersectional inclusion.
BINDI BOSSES provides a safe space to experiment and express multifaceted identities, exploring where cultural boundaries lie and why. The company runs inclusive movement-based workshops to connect people from diverse backgrounds with a focus on self-empowerment, body positivity, cross-cultural exchange and education, especially aiming to connect, empower and create space spaces for those who identify as female/non-binary.
HOW WE OPERATE
Since its inception in 2019, BINDI BOSSES has proudly operated as a self-funded business without relying on any government/arts funding, crowdfunding or donations. BINDI BOSSES team is not only paid for their work as Performing Artists but for all the work they do to bring BINDI BOSSES to life through Social Media, Graphic Design, Photography, Videography, Editing, Costume Design, Music Production and more. This paid work is tied to BINDI BOSSES’ ability to draw revenue from performing, touring and teaching. As none of these activities are currently possible due to COVID-19 restrictions, BINDI BOSSES have launched the BE A BOSS MERCH range to provide a non-performance based revenue stream that not only provides work for its team but other local small businesses and artists.
