Asha Bhosle: One Two Cha Cha Cha...

The time has come to put this humble little blog into hibernation.

I leave you all with my favorite singer doing one of my favorite songs. Enjoy!

Btw, Mrs. Naidu and I will be attending her concert:
Asha Bhosle: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow at the legendary Carnegie Hall (Practice...Practice...Practice* :D) on February 17, 2012.
Is there any chance that Helen will be one of the celebrity guests? :D



Finally, to anyone who stumbles upon this blog: all the Mediafire links should work as long they don't expire due to inactivity. The Bwtorrents links will also be good as long as someone is left to seed them to you.

It's been fun :D

All things must pass, all things must pass away - George Harrison

*How do you get to Carnegie Hall? :)

Merry Crimble and a Happy Goo Year - John Lennon

She was just 17 ♫

Helen dances in Hatim Tai (1956) to "Hum Azaad Hoon Jahan." It's her 2nd color film. Mayur Pankh (1954) was the first.

Enjoy the magic of Helen!

Helen Dhamaka 3 (Screenshots)

Here are some screenshots from my Helen Dhamaka 3 DVD. Above is Helen in a heretofore uncredited appearance in a film from the early 50's. You won't find any mention of this in any filmography or book :)

This DVD is a work in progress and isn't yet ready for public consumption. Volume 3 features lots of rare videos and upgrades that are very hard, if not impossible, to find on DVD, VCD or Youtube. Many audio synching problems have been properly adjusted on these videos so that the choreography matches the music exactly. And various video enhancements have been applied as well to some of the videos. I think most Helen fans will be very pleased after viewing the finished DVD :)

The Inner Light

In 2002, a group of George Harrison's friends put together a wonderful concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on the first anniversary of his death. Here's a lovely rendition of George's "The Inner Light" performed by Anoushkar Shankar and Jeff Lynne.

Helen appears as a judge on the "Boogie Woogie" TV show

In a rare television appearance, Helen judges the dancers on Boogie Woogie's "Cabaret Special" in 2006. Enjoy!

Albela (1951) - Remastered by Tom Daniel

Here's another DVD by Tom Daniel: Albela (1951). And, once again, he's done amazing work on this remastered DVD. It features restored video and audio with subtitles for the first time on all the songs (thanks to his translator Ava).

Albela stars Geeta Bali, Master Bhagwan and Badri Prasad. The memorable music is by C. Ramchandra with lyrics by Rajendra Krishan. Get the DVD for free Here.

Helen of Pollywood

During her long and storied career, Helen danced in a number of songs for the Punjabi (Pollywood) film industry. Here's one that I think my friend Asli Jat should enjoy. It's a catchy little ditty called "Lak Patla Te Rang Mastana" from the film Yamla Jatt. Mohammed Rafi shares the vocals in his native language with Suman Kalyanpur. And Helen, as usual, shows why no one is her equal. Be it Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood or now Pollywood, Helen continues to amaze us all with her talent and versatility. Long live Helen! :D

Helen: The Next Lux Girl?

Oh, wait a minute. She was one 50 years ago!

And 50 years later she appeared on the LUX Dance India Dance TV show and was given an award for her long and illustrious career. Yea! :)



Happy Birthday Helen!!!



Coming up:

Helen Dhamaka 3 DVD

Hot & Spicy Masala

Here's a collection of hot and sexy videos of the 70's and 80's from the Bollywood, Tollywood & Kollywood film industries.

Starring:
Jyothi Lakshmi
Bindu
Jaya Malini
Zeenat Aman
Faryal
Jayshree T
Mumtaz
Padma Khanna
Saira Banu
Silk Smitha

AND
Helen

Containing songs by:

Zeenat Aman in Abdullah and the Great Gambler
Jyothi Laxmi, Helen and Jayshree T. in Pilla Piduga
Bindu in Kati Patang and Zanjeer
Mumtaz in Mere Sanam and Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi
Jaya Malini in Matte Vasanta and Onde Guri
and many, many more!!

Get the DVD at Desi Torrents Here.
Registration is required.

Feedback and comments are always appreciated :)

Movie Mahal: Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Here's a fascinating glimpse into the career of Laxmikant-Pyarelal told in their own words. A very special thanks goes to my good friend Asli Jat for making this very rare video available for this blog. After watching this, I think you'll agree that these legendary composers of Bollywood music were dedicated, humble and, most of all, very talented.

In the last two years, I've been proud to make available so much rare and exclusive content on this blog. I think Movie Mahal: Laxmikant-Pyarelal may be one of the best things I've ever posted. Enjoy :)

Telugu Connection

Here's a cool (just in time for the summer) CD collection of my favorite songs from the wild and wacky, weird and wonderful world of Telugu action films from the late 60's and early 70's. Enjoy!

Click above to enlarge back cover

Track list:

Theesko Coca-Cola - Rowdeelaku Rowdeelu - 1971
Naa Pere Kismis - James Bond 777 - 1971
Aanandam Andistaanu To You - Panjaramlo Pasipapa - 1973
Alaantidaanni Kaanu - Rowdeelaku Rowdeelu - 1971
Chukkesukochchaa Tikkakudiristaa - Pilla Piduga - 1972
Vayasu Kurradi Takkari Donga - Chakkani Chukka - 1969
Pillaa Shokillaa Piliche Manchivada -  Manchivallaku Manchivadu - 1973
Kamudaa Kaamudaa - Pilla Piduga -1972
Yettukuntaavaa Nannettamantaava - Kattula Rattayya - 1972
Rubber Bommaa Muddula Gumma - James Bond 777 - 1971
Entho Manchi Roju Santoshinche - Kattula Rattayya - 1972
Kondamalle Kannepilloy Bulloda  - Monagaadostunnadu Jagratta - 1972

Listen to my favorite track:
Aanandam Andistaanu To You -



Get the CD Here.

Feedback and comments are always appreciated :)

Sharabi Aankhen Gulabi Chehra - Madhosh (1974)

Helen rehearses RD Burman's Sharabi Aankhen Gulabi Chehra with Rakesh Roshan. Imo, one of RD's best songs, featuring a classic duet by Asha Bhosle and RD Burman. Later on, she performs the complete song. Enjoy the 2 videos!





Special thanks to Tom Daniel for restoring the videos and making them look as good as they do.

Helen in Bengali Cinema

Here's Helen in 3 dances that she performed for the Bengali film industry.

First up, Ektu Bosho Chole Jeon from Troyee (1982).



Next is Shay Ki Elo from Rajkumari (1970).



Lastly, she dances to Tere Liye Aaya from Gali Theke Rajpath (1959) with vocal from Geeta Dutt. Thanks to Tom Daniel for improving the video.



Enjoy!

Helen of Tollywood

Here are 5 dances that Helen did for the Telugu (Tollywood) film industry. First up is a very rare Helen performance. She dances brilliantly in the latin-sounding song Rupaayi Kasulone Unnadi Tamaashaa from Santhosham (1955). It's one of the earliest videos available where she's the lead dancer. This dance features lots of closeups of a very young Helen to enjoy. Also, keep an eye out for her ballet footwork as she dances on her toes in parts of the song. :)

Special thanks to Tom Daniel for his restoration of the video.

So, sit back and enjoy the Magic of Helen :)



Next, Helen dances to Chukkesukochchaa Tikkakudiristaa Siggu Tera Teestaa from Pilla Piduga (1972). The vocal is by Telugu playback veteran L.R.Eeswari. Asha Bhosle sang the more familiar dubbed Hindi version Hoga So Hoga from Pistolwali. Thanks to Tom Daniel for restoring the video and for replacing the dubbed Hindi audio with the Telugu audio that I was able to acquire. So, now you can enjoy the video with it's original audio.



Helen dances to Sawaal Hai Kaisa in this dubbed Hindi version of Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha (1972). The original Telugu audio is unavailable. Thanks, once again, to Tom Daniel for restoration of the video.



Here's the video of Sundaranga Andukora (1958) from the devotional Telugu classic - Bhookailas. Enjoy as Helen dances as Maneka and attempts to break Vishwamitra's penance.



Finally, here's another rare find. In what may be their only dance together, here's Helen and Jyothi Lakshmi in Allibilli Andamanta from Bhogi Mantalu (1981). Enjoy!

Across the Universe (Jai Guru Deva, Om)

John Lennon composed this song in India while studying Transcendental Mediation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He always considered it to be one of his best and most poetic songs.

The mantra Jai Guru Deva Om is a Sanskrit expression and it became a link to the chorus "Nothing's gonna change my world." According to Wikipedia, it literally means "Glory to the shining remover of darkness," and can be paraphrased as "Victory to God divine", "Hail to the divine guru", or the phrase commonly invoked by the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in referring to his spiritual teacher "All Glory to Guru Dev."



Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me.

Jai guru deva, om
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe

Jai guru deva, om
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my opened ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying Love which shines around me like a
million suns, and calls me on and on
Across the universe

Jai guru deva, om
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva

Helen of Kollywood

What follows are 3 videos featuring Helen that she made for Tamil (Kollywood) cinema. The first one is a real rarity. It won't be found in any filmography of Helen. And there's no mention of it in Jerry Pinto's bioagraphy of Helen either. The name of the song is Ninaithale Innikum Sugame and It comes from Billa (1980) which is the Tamil remake of Don. Billa became a huge hit and made Rajnikanth a superstar of Tamil cinema. When it came to film the seduction scene and song (Yeh Mera Dil) made famous by Helen and Amitabh Bachchan, Helen was called upon to reprise her role. In Billa, the song is different and Rajnikanth may have replaced Amitabh, but Helen is still Helen and she employs many of the same dance steps and gyrations that made the Hindi version a classic. A special thanks to Tom Daniel for restoration of the video.

So, sit back and enjoy the Magic of Helen :)



Alavudinum Arbhutha Vilakkum (1979) (Allauddin And Wonderful Lamp) is another Tamil film that Helen dances in that not too many have ever seen. It also stars Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan.



Lastly, here's another rare Helen video from 1958's classic Tamil film Uthama Puthiranan. I supplied the raw video to Tom Daniel. He restored it and it now looks and sounds great. The song is called Yaradi Nee Mohini and Helen doesn't appear until 3:12. But it's well worth the wait as she dances marvelously, especially in the boogie-woogie finale. Enjoy!

Pagla Kahin Ka (Tom Daniel) - First time on DVD

Here's the latest DVD by Tom Daniel: Pagla Kahin Ka (1970). And, once again, he's done amazing work on his latest DVD release. It features restored video and audio with subtitles (thanks to his translator Raja). Pagla Kahin Ka reunites the cast of Teesri Manzil: Shammi Kapoor, Asha Bholsle, Helen and Prem Chopra. Shankar Jaikishan composed the memorable soundtrack. Get the DVD and the original soundtrack album ripped from vinyl at Mediafire for free.




Get the DVD for free Here.

Get the original soundtrack album for free Here.

Read my review of the original soundtrack album Here.

Read the review of the movie and DVD at memsaabstory Here.

Enjoy!

Padmini & Vyjayanthimala's Classic Tamil Dance-off

Finally, here's a high quality video of Kannum Kannum Kalandu from the Tamil film Vanjikkootai Vaaliban which was taken from a Tamil TV. broadcast. Enjoy Padmini and Vyjayanthimala as they square off in the greatest dance-off in Indian cinematic history. The Hindi version is Aaja To Aaja from Raj Tilak and it's the centerpiece of Tom Daniel's excellent Padmini - The Hindi Years DVD. You can get the DVD for free - Here.

Padmini - The Hindi Years (Tom Daniel)

Here's the latest DVD by Tom Daniel and it just may be his best yet! It features restored video and audio with subtitles on all the songs (many for the first time!). It's an excellent collection of Padmini's best Hindi dances and is available at Mediafire for free.

Highlights:

Aaja To Aaja.The unforgettable dance-off between Padmini and Vyjayanthimala from Raj Tilak.

Na Dir Dim from the India/Russia production of Pardesi and which is presented here in beautiful widescreen color!

And Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta from Kalpana in which Padmini and sister Ragini dance spectacularly for the god Mahadev.

Highest recommendation!

I don't think you'll find a more enjoyable DVD at any price. So, get it for free Here.

Get the complete song list and read all about the making of the DVD in the PDF file. Get it Here.

For more stuff about this DVD please visit Richard's "Dances on the Footpath." More posts about Padmini can be found on his blog.

Videos of the week

Here's Helen in 3 dancing duets. We begin with Helen and her mentor Cuckoo in the 1958 film Heera Moti. This is followed by her dance with the effervescent Laxmi Chhaya in Dulhan Ek Raat Ki from 1967. Lastly, she dances mostly freestyle with an unknown male partner in Piya Milan (1958). Enjoy!

Helen Dhamaka 2

Here's my latest collection of rare Helen videos. As far as I know, none are available on DVD and many aren't even available on VCD.

Lots of time and effort were spent assembling and producing this DVD. Many videos were remastered or fixed to the best of my ability for optimal viewing pleasure.

So, enjoy the magic of Helen!

01. Tu Milale Aaj Nigahen - Hum Tum Aur Woh - 1971 - Helen tries to entice a reluctant Vinod Khanna to drink in this highly enjoyable start to Helen Dhamaka 2
02. Kabhi Kabhi Sainyaan Sharaab Pee Ke Aaye - Rakhi Aur Rifle - 1976 - Non-stop Helen at her best!
03. Mujhko Deewaana Kar Gaye - Thief of Baghdad - 1969
04. Dil na Kahin Lagana - Gunghat - 1960 - Magnificent dancing by Helen with Gopi Krishna as Ashaji sings in four languages. Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and Punjabi
05. Mohabbat Ho Gayi Jinse - Kahin Din Kahin Raat - 1968
06. Pyar Bechati Hoon - Chhalia* - 1973
07. I Love You - Raat Andheri Thi* - 1967 - Beautiful vocal by Ashaji
08. Gulabi Chehra Sharaabi Ankhein - Madhosh* - 1974 - Helen dances up a storm to one of RD Burman's best songs
09. Maine Pee Lee Mera Dil Kiya - Maharaja* - 1970 - Charming sharabi song
10. Mere Sulagte Hue Dil - Tasveer - 1966 - Helen pursues Feroz Khan
11. Mere Gesuon Se Chhankar - Ek Raat - 1968
12. Nainon ki gadi chali - Mome Ki Gudiya - 1975
13. Mera Qatil Deewana Dil Hain - Faraar - 1965 - Wonderful vocal by composer Hement Kumar's daughter Ranu Mukherji
14. Husn Aur Sharab Ka Jo - Andhera - 1975 - From a Ramsay Bros. horror film
15. Hum To Hain Sabke Yaar - Daulat ke Dushman - 1981
16. Raat Chhoti Hai Magar - Kaala Aadmi - 1978
17. Kitni Haseen Hai Mere Pyar Ki Nazar - Maharaja* - 1970 - Song uses main guitar riff from the 60's American surf music classic "Pipeline" by the Chantays
18. Honth Bhale Inkaar Karen - Bandhi - 1978
19. Kamar Patli Nazar Bijli - Kahin Din Kahin Raat - 1968 - Big production number of song by O.P. Nayyar
20. Mehfil Ka Naam Meri - Jalan - 1976 - Other dancer is Ambika Joha. Vocals by Ashaji & Minoo Purushottam
21. Dil Ka Lagaana Iss Duniya Mein - Smuggler - 1966
22. Baat Hai Zara Hai Apas Ki - Jahan Pyar Miley - 1969
23. Chale Aana Sanam Uthaaye Qadam - Dekha Pyaar Tumhara - 1963
24. Janab-E-Man Salam Hai - Elaan - 1971
25. Ham Pe Ilzam Kyon - Kahin Din Kahin Raat - 1968 - Lovely sad love song by Ashaji
26. Hamre Duniya Karela Badnam - Bidesiya - 1963 - From a Bhojpuri film
27. Yun Na Tan Ke Chalo - Dil Ne Pukara - 1967 - Mehmood pursues Helen without success
28. Aa Bahon Mein Aa - Chhuppa Chhuppi - 1981 - Helen at the disco!
29. Mujhe Dekhiye Main Koi Daastaan Hoon - Lootera - 1965
30. Tu Dar Mat Dar Mat Yaara - Mehman - 1974 - Very similar to Meri Jawani from Upaasna!
31. Pyaasaa mera dil - Ehsan - 1970 - Lovely sharabi song
32. Ek Meri Gali Ka Ladka - Milan - 1958
33. Lavleena Aa Gaya Main - Agent Vinod - 1977
34. Ajnabi Tere Liye Houn Mein - Spy in Goa* - 1966
35. Nazar Badli Zamane Ki - Tasveer - 1966 - Superb ballroom dancing by Helen with Feroz Khan
36. Khubsoorat Tu Sanam - Jurm Aur Sazaa - 1977
37. Aaj Pee Li Hai - Anjan Hai Koi - 1969 - Another fun sharabi song
38. Tuze chand Kahu Ya Phool Kahu - Suneheri Nagin - 1963
39. Tilla Langdi Koyle Haaye - Piya Milan - 1958
40. Patharon Se Dastane Dil - Aaya Toofan - 1964 - Color version!

*A very special thanks to Bwt's shafi_ms82 for uploading some of the rare rips from his VHS collection that I used for this DVD! Thank you.

Comments and feedback are always appreciated!

Get the DVD here at Desitorrents.com. Registration is required.

Video of the week

Here's a fantastically groovy and rare (unavailable on DVD or VCD) video from Tasveer (1966). It features Feroz Khan with Ted Lyons & His Cubs dancing and twisting along with a cast of thousands (not really) on one of the greatest bollywood rock songs of the 60's: Denewala Dil To Do. Imo, this song ranks right up there with Jaan Pehchaan Ho from Gumnaam, Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera from Teesri Manzil, and Aankhe Teri Hain Teri Katil from Golden Eyes: Secret Agent 077. The great Mahendra Kapoor sings with gusto this song written by the underrated C. Ramchandra. The tune incorporates tasty solos on guitar, sax, and piano backed by a steady percussive beat. One of my all time faves! I especially recommend it to all Feroz Khan and Ted Lyons & His Cubs fans. Definitely worth a replay or 2. :) Enjoy!


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Please visit Feel the love! Ted Lyons & His Cubs from memsaabstory for much more Ted Lyons!

My last Ted Lyons video discovery from Golden Eyes: Secret Agent 077 can be seen Here.