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When Feet Sing To The Rhythm – Part 2
Continuing on this rhythmic cruise, we will slowly move forward with the decades (though not in any chronological order). We can see that the kind of music that the newer composers have given is trending towards fusion music and so do the dances; although the Indian element in them is more prominent.
Another common thread that we see in the newer heroines is that they too are classically trained and that gives them the edge over the others who may not be well versed with the traditional dancing (not that those who are not classically trained are not good dancers).
Enjoy these rhythms and dance to them too!
1. Mahal (1969)
Asha Parekh : A trained classical dancer, Asha Parekh won many a hearts with her acting and dance as well. Her expressions and graceful footwork made her a favourite among all dance lovers. This dance sequence from the film Mahal is a semi classical performance. The music is composed by Kalyanji-Anandji.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ush_6n9oAjQ
2. Nache Mayuri (1986)
Sudha Chandran : This dancer has set an example for many others who have faced different types of shortcomings while pursuing their dreams. Sudha Chandran lost her leg in an accident and was told that she would never walk, leave alone dancing. Taking this as a challenge, she overcame all odds and started dancing, thanks to the prosthetic leg and the sheer determination of hers.
This dance sequence comes at the very end where she is shown dancing her heart out and showing her fiancé (who had left her because of her accident) and the entire world that nothing can stop her. The dances of this film were choreographed by Gopi Krishna.
3. Lamhe (1991)
Sri Devi : Venting out anger through dance, Sri Devi performed this western number to the tunes of Shiv-Hari. Her eyes say it all and we don’t even need any kind of explanation as to what the dance is all about. A trained Bharatnatyam dancer; Sri Devi’s effortless dancing, both Indian and western, won her many fans.
The sequence is choreographed by Saroj Khan.
4. Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997)
Madhuri Dixit : Grace, elegance and expressions bundled into one gives us Madhuri Dixit. Her smile has won and broken many hearts young and old. Her moves have made many hearts skip a beat.
This sequence is a Kathak dance performance on fusion music composed by Uttam Singh.
5. Prem (1995)
Tabu : Although not a dancer, she has managed to shake a leg in quite a few films. This particular dance sequence is to the rhythm created by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The change of her demeanour when she starts recollecting some moments of her past life through the beats of the drum is depicted perfectly by Tabu.
6. Damini (1993)
Meenaxi Sheshadri : Once again we have a trained classical dancer presenting a scintillating performance that of a “Tandav” in front of us. The rage, the sorrow, the sheer helplessness of a woman is displayed in this dance sequence. Her eyes speak volumes of the emotional turmoil that she is going through. The music is composed by Nadeem-Shravan and the choreographer is Pappu Khanna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dPt2WPtlNg
7. Rangeela (1995)
Urmila Matondkar : She entered the industry as a child artist and went on to become a beautiful performer. Urmila has shown her prowess in films as an actor and a dancer (both Indian and western). This sequence is composed by A.R. Rahman.
