1990 - Songs, Costumes & Dreams: A Time of Fire and Friendship

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Apr 18
2 min read

Updated: Apr 24

The early 1990s were a time of upheaval for many—but for Natalya Podupeiko (Наталья Подупейко), it was also a season of creativity, passion, and transformation.

Now performing with a reimagined Group Lotus (группа Лотос)—composed entirely of the Kurbanov family and Natalya herself—she stepped into new roles as both a singer and teacher.

Nalini’s first bellydance performance with Group Lotus—featuring music improvised by Aleksei Kurbanov, with choreography and costume created collaboratively by the group.

Первое выступление Налини в стиле беллиданс с группой «Лотос» — музыка импровизирована Алексеем Курбановым, хореография и костюм созданы совместно всей группой.

Her mentor, Yevgeniya Kurbanova (Евгения Курбанова), offered quiet guidance and strength, while her husband, Aleksei Kurbanov (Алексей Курбанов), became a true artistic partner. As a music teacher and the group’s leader, he trained Natalya to sing, helping her bring to life the Indian movie songs she had loved since childhood.

17-year-old Nalini (Natalya Podupeiko) leading a Bollywood dance rehearsal with her students in Astrakhan, early 1990s. 17-летняя Налини (Наталья Подупейко) на репетиции с ученицами по болливудскому танцу в Астрахани, начало 1990-х.

These songs, played live by the band, transformed their shows into high-energy experiences. Crowds followed them from Ukraine to Moldova to Russia, eager to relive the blend of Indian dance, Romani fire, and Soviet rock again and again.

In Astrakhan, Natalya began offering her first dance classes, teaching both Indian cinema choreography and the emotional Romani style that had changed her as a performer.

Natalya Podupeiko performs iconic Bollywood songs from “Disco Dancer” and “Dance Dance,” including “Jimmy Jimmy Ajaa Ajaa”, “Zoobi Zoobi,” and “Aa Gaya Aa Gaya,” in a live stage show.
Наталья Подупейко исполняет хиты Болливуда: «Zoobi Zoobi», «Jimmy Jimmy Ajaa Ajaa» и «Aa Gaya Aa Gaya» из фильмов «Диско Танцор» и «Танец Танец». — Natalya performs the songs "Zoobi Zoobi" "Jimmy Jimmy", Agaya Agaya

None of this would have been possible without Zeena Kurbanova (Зина Курбанова). The youngest sister in the Kurbanov family, Zeena was not only a beautiful singer, but also the visionary costume designer behind Natalya’s stage looks—and the costumes worn by her very first students.

And all of this happened during Perestroika—a time of scarcity. There was no money, little food, and never enough fabric, resources, or tools. But there was fire. There was vision. There was a need to create.