I was actually planning a film review of one of Helen’s films. But I couldn’t. And I’m preparing for a post which will be published in a couple of days.
But a post dedicated to Helen on my blog was my wish. So here I’m to celebrate her 83rd birthday today.
I’m adding one of my favourite songs, a dance number.
Starting her career in the early 50s as a group dancer in Hindi films, she was soon noticed and featured in solo dance performances in Hindi films. Ultimately she was chosen for small roles, supporting roles and as a main lead as well. Mostly featuring as a club dancer, a number of her songs portraying her talent in western dance forms. Nevertheless she was at home with Indian classical dance forms as well. Most of her songs were sung by Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt. She also received Lata Mangeshkar’s playback for a number of songs.
The chosen song is sung by Lata Mangeshkar and displays her in Indian classical dance form. Helen acts as a Apsara who distracts Harishchandra. It’s a part of a षड्यंत्र to test him. Helen does a wonderful dance, which is a part of dream sequence, or so I think. A beautiful semi classical song, sung very wonderfully by Lata Mangeshkar. Helen’s dance is mesmerising. It was one of the earlier films by Laxmikant Pyarelal. All the songs are very melodious. L P in their early days were really very impressive, no doubt.
Meghwa Gagan Beech Jhanke – Harishchandra Taramati (1963) Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Kavi Pradeep
I wish a very Happy Birthday to Helen.
Pleas add your favourite song picturised on Helen.
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
Mehfil Mein Meri 
Lata has unwilling sung few cabaret songs.
This is my favorite picturized on Helen.
Composer Laxmikant Pyarelal
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Yes
One of the very few cabaret songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
Thank you for sharing the song. It’s one of my favourites too.
🙂
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Dear Anup ji,
This must be her first solo number, from MAYUR PANKH (1954)
With warm regards
PARTHA CHANDA
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This could be her first solo song. I think the same.
But I must confess, when I watched the song for the first time, some 8 years back, I couldn’t recognize Helen at all. May be I didn’t pay much attention to the singing character, a street singer. And most of the song is focused on the main lead. The opening and ending is on Helen. But I like the song. Thank for adding the song to the list.
🙂
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Dear Anup ji,
Allow me to post another of Helen Songs from “JEWEL THIEF”.
I may have asked this question earlier, but who is the Lady in White dancing along with Helen?
Warm regards
PARTHA CHANDA
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Parthaji,
thank you for the song. I like it too.
“I may have asked this question earlier, but who is the Lady in White dancing along with Helen? “
yes, this question was raised on two occasions on my blog. But we couldn’t come to a conclusion.
Most of the readers say she is Fariyal.
But I couldn’t confirm it.
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Dear Anup ji,
She is certainly NOT Fariyal, who has a much bigger role in the Film, as has Anju Mahendru, who is also mentioned, as a shot in the dark by some. I suppose we will never know, like the the Dancer in the Song “है कलि कलि के लब पर ”
from the Film “LALA RUKH”.
With warm regards
PARTHA CHANDA
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Oh yes!
I love the Rafi song from Laka Rukh. And yes, I agree we may never get to know who these two actresses were!
Sad thing!
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What a beautiful song and picturization! Even though I know on an intellectual how early her career started, it is amazing to realize that someone who danced in that scene with Prithviraj Kapoor is still with us. A good birthday to Helen ji.
It is impossible to pick a single favorite Helen song, but I know which one gets stuck in my head most often! That would be the silly, cheerful “Hello, Hello Everybody” from “Ek Shrimaan Ek Shrimaati”–sung, like so many of her songs, by Asha. Unfortunately, I cannot find it with the picturization on YouTube, but the audio begins at 1:12 in this recording:
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Oh!
I haven’t seen the video of the song ever. So never knew it was Helen.
Thank you for the song.
🙂
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I recall it being in a cafe/nightclub setting with multiple levels (maybe a balcony or sunken-room-type situation?) and screens dividing it; she teasingly addresses many of the verses to the diners by singing across the screens at them.
Helen actually had a speaking role in “Shrimaan Shrimaati,” as Prem Chopra’s long-suffering girlfriend. Unfortunately, I think she hardly appeared again after interval.
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Oh!
yes, the video has been added by popka superstar
🙂
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this is the video:
worth watching!
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Popka Superstar
Welcome to Mehfil!
And,
Oh!
thank you so much for adding the video. I hadn’t watched it ever.
🙂
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Thank you! Got linked to you from Shelomit, who also refound that song for me, what a star.
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I just now visited your blog. Very interesting. I haven’t watched much of non Hindi films. So it’s going to be a lot of new information for me.
🙂
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Haha, most of the hindi stuff I review (I watch a lot of it but usually don’t have much to say about it) is Govinda movies, so it’s unlikely to be very interesting to you but you might like some of it!
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No no!
I said the English and other movie reviews will be interesting.
🙂
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Thanks! Hope you get something out of them.
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🙂👍
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Nice! I hadn’t heard this song before, so thank you for that, Anupji. Happy birthday, Helen!
(BTW, I have a large, 2 feet tall copy of the photo of Helen that you’ve put in the beginning of the post. It’s my most prized possession). 🙂
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“I have a large, 2 feet tall copy of the photo”
Oh my god!
I envy you.
😀
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