Helen - Dancing Diva. Review on Helen

Helen –  Dancing Diva & Cabaret Queen of Bollywood

I wish Happy Birthday to the splendid, graceful, sensuous dancer of Bollywood, popularly known as'Cabaret Queen', Helen.

I never get tired of watching at the Helen songs. She was the best and still the Queen of the Cabaret. I will not be wrong to say that if there's someone who immortalized  Bollywood Cabaret songs then it has to be Helen. No one can come even close to her. I believe that Helen made the songs, and the songs didn't make her. Helen is the undisputed item number queen of all time.

The original and most graceful cabaret dancer Bollywood was born on October 21, 1939 in Burma to an Anglo-Indian father and Burmese mother. She started her career as chorus dancer in the films Shabistan and Awaara. Since then Helen regularly featured in the films as item dancer. Her first film as solo dancer was Alif Laila. Helen gave her first hit film with her performance in the song "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" in O.P. Nayyar's hit film "Howrah Bridge". After this she was in great demand for cabaret dance and vamp roles in the films.

In those times when the word cabaret was like a taboo it was Helen who changed Bollywood’s notion by glamorizing cabaret through her fabulous and remarkable dance moves. She grabbed the attention of the movie buffs and pulled the audiences to the cinema halls. Helen’s performances in all ways can be an inspiration for all the new heroines & especially to the item girls in the Indian film industry.

The undisputed queen of the dance Helen who has done some splendid Cabaret dances on silver screen is best remembered for many chart-buster songs. The flamboyance and grace with which Helen carried these songs, is remarkable. Here is the list of some of my all time favorite Helen Songs.

Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu - Howrah Bridge(1958)

This song was sung by Geeta Dutt, written by Qamar Jalalabadi and composed by O.P. Nayyar. Howrah Bridge made Helen into an overnight sensation and this dance number  established her as a successful dancer beyond a doubt. She enlivened the screen and set it ablaze in this chart-buster track.

O Haseena Zulfowali - Teesri Manzil(1966)

Perfectly picturised on cabaret queen Helen and Bollywood’s original Rockstar star, Shammi Kapoor. This great dance track has energy and great music to keep it still popular for a new generation. Rockstar Shammi Kapoor & Helen’s effortless high-energy dance movements can make anyone stand up and take note of their dancing skills.

Aa Jaane Jaan - Intaquam(1969)

This evergreen Cabaret is from the movie Intaquem, directed by R K Nayyar. This song was sung by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, Music composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal, choreographed by P L Raj with lyrics by Rajender Krishnan. After the great success of this cabaret number, Helen added her styling, costume, hair and those long eyelashes, made Helen a perfect package.

Piya Tu Ab To Aaja - Caravan(1971)

This song is from the movie Carvan. Versatile singer Asha Bhosle sang “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja”, Legendary music composer R.D.Burman composed this everlasting song with equal amounts of sensuality and emotion. Lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Only one person could do justice to this song & it is Helen. She is amazing in this song. I was completely mesmerized by Helen and her dancing skills.

Jane Anjaane Yahan - Jane Anjaane(1971)

This movie was directed by Shakti Samanta & Music composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

Helen’s expressions and dancing skills are extra-ordinary and worth watching in this song.

Ae Nujawan Hai Sab - Apradh(1972)

This song "Ae Naujawan Hai Sab" is from the movie Apradh, Directed by Feroz Khan & sung by Asha Bhosle. With her oomph factor and energetic dance steps Helen made this song very popular. Helen's moves are sexy yet she manages to be graceful.

Aaj Ki Raat Koi Aane Ko Hai - Anamika(1973)

The sensuous moves and amazing expression of Helen makes it classic Cabaret songs of Bollywood. This suspense song was sung by Asha Bhosle. No one can ever match up to Helen's grace and sensuousness.

Mehbooba Mehbooba - Sholay(1975)

Helen proves her mettle once again in Mehbooba O Mehbooba from Sholay. This song went on to become a chartbuster and Helen with her belly dancing moves wooed all. This song showcases her unique graceful dancing style, something that nobody could emulate.

Mungda Main Gud Ki Dali - Inkaar(1978)

This popular song was from the flop movie Inkaar. I am sure many movie buffs do not remember the name of the movie but everyone remembers & like this song. This song was sung by Usha Mangeshkar, music composed by Rajesh Roshan & lyrics written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Helen the quintessential dancing diva in her individualistic style proves that there can be no one like her.

Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana - Don(1978)

Helen apart from being a great dancer she also had this amazing seductive quality to her movements. She never looked vulgar even while doing the most provocative of steps. It’s something that today’s heroines are struggling to match.

Helen’s sensuous dance moves filled the fantasy void that the pristine leading ladies of that era could have never attempted. Women love to hate & men even today wait for the chance to have a glimpse of her dances & she is Helen.

Graceful and incredibly talented, let’s wish this dancing diva a very Happy Birthday!