Many of our Bollywood heroines have waltzed into our hearts and minds based not only on their acting prowess but also owing to their knowledge of classical dance forms. The latter skill has enabled them to present some unique dances on the silver screen, with due support from their directors, music composers and choreographers. If some have been accompanied in their performances in the past by such stalwarts as Gopi Krishna, others have had the backing of legendary figures like Pandit Birju Maharaj.
Allow me to share with you some dances which I would label as being unique. Either because these are based on classical or semi classical forms of Indian dances, or simply because the presentation as well as the sheer attention to detail leaves one awestruck. Quite a few are solo performances, backed only by instrumental music. Collectively, these present a vibrant rainbow of various human emotions, ranging from love and passion to a gutsy fury.
The Drum Dance (Nagada dance) here is the grand celebration of a royal marriage. It was well choreographed and presented in an era which did not have access to the kind of technology available these days. The story was about a feud between two brothers over their right to rule their father’s kingdom. Each of the huge drums acted like a Trojan horse, hiding soldiers from the rival’s camp. Apparently, it took six months’ practice to get this dance ready for the silver screen.
Chandralekha (1948)
Lead Dancer: T R Rajakumari
Music: S Rajeshwar Rao
Uday Shankar and Amala Shankar entertained us with quite a few classical dances in another movie released in the same year. It was the first film to present an Indian classical dancer in the leading role and was entirely shot as a dance ballet and a fantasy. Here is one gem of a dance which depicts Lord Shiva and Parvati gyrating to their heart’s content.
Kalpana (1948)
Lead Dancers: Uday Shankar, Amala Shankar
Music: Vishnudas Shirali
V. Shantaram’s offerings were invariably based on classical forms of music. Even the design of the titles was highly innovative, often summarizing the key message of the movie in a poignant manner.
When Lord Shiva flies into a rage, he is believed to break into a special dance form: tandav. Part of this dance depicts the same. Eventually, a timely intervention by the feminine force of the universe – shakti – saves the day.
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955)
Dancers: Gopi Krishna, Sandhya
Music: Vasant Desai
These are two unique dances. One speaks of the extent of imperfection in our lives. Another captures the playful spirit of Holi – the festival of colours – and even features an elephant trying to match the dancing steps of the heroine.
Navrang (1959)
Dancer: Sandhya
Music: C. Ramchandra
Based on the classic play Abhigyan Shakuntalam from Kalidasa, this dance captures the feelings of a woman spurned in love.
Stree (1961)
Dancer: Rajshri
Music: C. Ramchandra
Here is yet another enchanting dance performance.
Chhaya (1961)
Dancers: Baby Farida, Asha Parekh
Music: Salil Chowdhury
Many movies have depicted the folklore of love between Radha and Krishna. Songs like Hamen gop gwala kehte hain…(Navrang, 1955) and Mohe panghat pe…(Mughal-E-Azam, 1960) readily pop up in our minds. Here is another such performance.
Phoolon Ki Sej (1964)
Dancers: Gopi Krishna, Vyjayanthimala
Music: Adi Narayana Rao
What we have here is a classic snake dance. A unique presentation, indeed, superbly crafted and rendered.
Guide (1965)
Dance: Waheeda Rehman
Music: S. D. Burman
Arthashastra of Kautilya mentions the grooming of visha kanyas (Poison Damsels) whose blood and body fluids had poisonous properties. They were used as assassins to eliminate powerful enemies of the state. This dance performance depicts one such case.
Sagaai (1966)
Dance: Rajshri
Music: Ravi
When a proficient dancer gets challenged in a royal court, she leaves us spellbound by her dancing skills.
Amrapali (1966)
Lead Dancer: Vyjayanthimala
Indian actress
Music: Shankar–Jaikishan
Yet another solo dance which leaves one mesmerized.
Chhoti Si Mulaqat (1967)
Dance: Vyjayanthimala
Music: Shankar–Jaikishan
A captivating dance performance by a multi-skilled actress who went on the become a member of the Indian Parliament.
Kinara (1977)
Dance: Hema Malini
Music: R. D. Burman.
Versatile directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee had a knack of presenting character artists who are otherwise famous for their negative roles in a positive light on the silver screen. In this dance sequence, we find Shashikala joining hands with Rekha.
Khubsoorat (1980)
Dancers: Shashikala, Rekha
Music: R. D. Burman
What happens when an introvert and shy person gets prodded by her well-wishers to showcase her dancing skills at a social gathering?
Chaal Baaz (1989)
Dancer: Sridevi
Music: Laxmikant–Pyarelal
This one is a temple dance by late Sridevi. Unfortunately, I am yet to trace the name of the movie.
Dancer: Sridevi
Yash Chopra, known as the King of Romance, had a unique way of presenting his heroines at their sensuous best. His name always reminds us of the colour white and of gorgeous heroines draped in plain colour chiffon saris and sleeveless blouses, swaying to rhythmic beats composed by eminent classical musicians.
Chandni (1989)
Dancer: Sridevi
Music: Shiv-Hari
Lamhe (1991)
Dancer: Sridevi
Music: Shiv-Hari
A sophisticated way of telling the ruler to behave himself when it comes to visiting the ‘other woman’.
Lekin (1991)
Dancer: Hema Malini
Music: Hridaynath Mangeshkar
This one captures the inner anguish felt by a woman who is part of a highly patriarchal family which tries to protect the name of a male member who, along with his friends, had gang-raped the maid servant.
Damini (1993)
Dancer: Meenakshi Seshadri
Music: Nadeem-Shravan
Two more captivating dances from the stable of Yash Raj Films.
Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
Dancer: Madhuri Dixit
Music: Uttam Singh
Dil To Pagal Hai: The Dance of Envy
Dancers: Madhuri Dixit, Karishma Kapoor
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is yet another director whose movies are lavishly produced and mounted on a larger-than-life canvas. Consider this song and dance sequence.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Lead Dancer: Aishwarya Rai
Music: Ismail Darbar
Here is yet another offering from Bollywood based on the Radha-Krishna folklore. This version brings in the dancing skills of Madhuri Dixit, duly backed by Birju Maharaj’s choreography, music, and lyrics.
Devdas (2002)
Singers: Birju Maharaj, Madhuri Dixit, Kavita Krishnamurthy
Composer/Lyricist: Birju Maharaj
The memories of a distant past come flooding back when the passion for dance resurfaces after the dancer runs into an old love interest.
Dedh Ishqia (2014)
Lead Dancer: Madhuri Dixit
Music: Vishal Bhardwaj
A solo dance, sans lyrics, surely leaves the entire burden of a sparkling performance on the shoulders of the heroine. Our multi-talented divas have never failed us on this count.
It is not that our heroes do not possess outstanding dancing skills. However, these are very few. The names of Kamal Hasan, Hritik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, late Sushant Singh Rajput and Tiger Shroff can be mentioned in this context.
Here are two video clips which some of you may relish.
Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)
Dancer: Kamal Hasan
Music: Laxmikant–Pyarelal
(Courtesy Aman and Swasti Sharma)
Lakshya (2004)
Dancer: Hritik Roshan
Music: Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy
These days, most male actors can also shake a leg or two, though the trend is towards disco, break-dance, and such newer forms of dances as hip hop, lyrical, freestyle, and fusion.
Gaining proficiency in any form of art needs talent, passion, mentoring, and years of continuous practice. What we get to see for a few minutes on our screens is the culmination of a long-drawn-out effort towards conceptualization, synchronization, persistence, and hard work by all the crew members. One is filled with a feeling of reverence towards all the directors, choreographers, artistes, and technicians who bring such unique offerings to us.
Recently, at a private party, some youngsters had to work assiduously for about two hours to eventually come up with a dance sequence which ran into merely 53 seconds!
One can well imagine the magnitude of effort artists, choreographers and directors put in to come up with unique dance sequences which keep us enchanted. Imagine creating something as elaborate as, say, Pyar kiya to darna kya… (Mughal-E-Azam, 1960), Hothon mein aisi baat… (Jewel Thief, 1967) and Dola re… (Devdas, 2004). The mind boggles!
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