May 1, 2011

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!


April 27, 2011

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

April 22, 2011

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!

April 19, 2011

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!

March 27, 2011

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.

March 19, 2011

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.

February 7, 2011

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!





February 3, 2011

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.

January 21, 2011

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.
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