Helen: cures what ails ya
The inimitable Celi, co-founder of the (Somewhat Un)official Shashi Kapoor Fan Club on Facebook, sent me this link, and it has totally lifted my spirits as I languish on the sofa, home from work with allergies/sinus unhappiness.
I am by no means a Helen connoisseur, but this one is just so incredibly fun - and judging by the context at the beginning, she's not being overly objectified by the male gaze, gyrating while trapped in a bottle, etc., so this one feels a lot more joyful and free and less "overtly sexual women=bad or dangerous" than some of her other songs. I like anything from mod or go-go Bollywood, and this one is extra great because of the three wildly different and unrelated settings/costumes (even if one of them is objectionably fake-pretend Polynesian), the groovy moves, and the West Side Story-ish backup dancers. And surely only Helen could sell the line "demonstrate your talents to the world" while writhing on her back in a mini-skirt cowgirl outfit across a petal-strewn floor at the toes of a marching band.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKMLbCNEZ5pWPETgyjdke8M_TExhslnjN0Y2JWZbNruOyJNT6YcVRUuYeVSetMDfqlFDOx4wFWyObWtynrHttpwE7ZoE6qaQPZOtAVun2qY3G6qY6BtLB2ZXuYYwIbb-P-OWh/s320/screenshot_02.jpg)
If I had a green velvet hat and red spangled sweater, I would go put them on right now and practice my twisting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy14g5d4XoIJ6cDYPz-fc_Q-cDrZW4KDe1hvPF5dCtRcwKLbtVW2Hh8gBMe_Dp3cpoMzcanqqY30tWc2Za_E4gVPNoa-SLAHf_llySmEkkCnZqSTI59agLjU31HAQTRagrl3Um/s320/:tmp:SnapNDrag4711:screenshot_01.jpg)
Best advice ever, right Kaddele?
D0 consult Memsaab's enormously popular list of her favorite Helen songs for further inspiration.
I am by no means a Helen connoisseur, but this one is just so incredibly fun - and judging by the context at the beginning, she's not being overly objectified by the male gaze, gyrating while trapped in a bottle, etc., so this one feels a lot more joyful and free and less "overtly sexual women=bad or dangerous" than some of her other songs. I like anything from mod or go-go Bollywood, and this one is extra great because of the three wildly different and unrelated settings/costumes (even if one of them is objectionably fake-pretend Polynesian), the groovy moves, and the West Side Story-ish backup dancers. And surely only Helen could sell the line "demonstrate your talents to the world" while writhing on her back in a mini-skirt cowgirl outfit across a petal-strewn floor at the toes of a marching band.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKMLbCNEZ5pWPETgyjdke8M_TExhslnjN0Y2JWZbNruOyJNT6YcVRUuYeVSetMDfqlFDOx4wFWyObWtynrHttpwE7ZoE6qaQPZOtAVun2qY3G6qY6BtLB2ZXuYYwIbb-P-OWh/s320/screenshot_02.jpg)
If I had a green velvet hat and red spangled sweater, I would go put them on right now and practice my twisting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy14g5d4XoIJ6cDYPz-fc_Q-cDrZW4KDe1hvPF5dCtRcwKLbtVW2Hh8gBMe_Dp3cpoMzcanqqY30tWc2Za_E4gVPNoa-SLAHf_llySmEkkCnZqSTI59agLjU31HAQTRagrl3Um/s320/:tmp:SnapNDrag4711:screenshot_01.jpg)
Best advice ever, right Kaddele?
D0 consult Memsaab's enormously popular list of her favorite Helen songs for further inspiration.
Comments
And thanks for the plug ;-)
I so agree that Helen is a great cure! I've been stuck at home on crutches afte a Bollywood dance related injury at the weekend - who knew it was so dangerous?! To keep me company I have been watching lots of Helen and Shammi, and feel so much better already! I hadn't seen this one before - so thanks for helping me smile!
memsaab - It looked fantastic, but I was surprised to see what year it was made. I must watch!
That post of yours really needed no plugging, based on the humongous volume of comments :)
red 42- Bollywood related dance injury? Noooo! I hope at least you got paid for your troubles! It's only a matter of time before I injure myself dancing in my living room, though. I think Shammi and Helen are the perfect dance-related injury healers - who better to inspire sound physical abilities!
The Bolly List - Funny!
Hope you're feeling much more chipper !
ttfn :)
And happily much more chipper! :)