The Incomparable Helen

There seems to be a renewed intrest in Sholay and the Mehbooba Mehbooba song thanks to Ram Gopal Varma's remake and Mallika Sherawat's cavorting to the tune in Himesh Reshamiya's remix. Don't really know what these guys were thinking when they decided to get inspired by the classic Sholay. The movie had achieved cult classic status. Forget my generation, this generation is also familiar with the movie. They spout lines from the movie like "Kitne aadmi the?" and "tera kya hoga kaaliya?". I am sure that the popularity of this movie is not due to the remake (Aag) or Himesh Reshamiya's remix.

When Himesh Reshamiya decided to sing this song, I am sure he thought he would well suited for this song cos he sings in a nasal voice. I don't really know how people can be his fans. If you've heard one song, you've heard them all. The result is quite atrocious. And Mallika Sherawat cavorting around awkwardly in the video does not recommend it to viewers. Unless of course you really "admire" her.

And Ram Gopal Varma has cast his favourite "item" girl Urmila in his version of Sholay. Now, I am sure Urmila has a multitude of charms but this particular video hardly showcases them. The expression on her face is quite pained and her movements awkward(for lack of a better word). In fact, the first time I watched the video, it seemed as if Urmila was vulgarity personified.

Then I watch the original Mehbooba Mehbooba with Helen. Man, was it a refreshing change to watch Helen dance in this song. She was graceful and beautiful. Bollywood's first successful cabaret girl and belly dancer extraordinaire really sizzles the screen in this song. As she did in all her other songs. Who can forget her in Don, Caravan, Teesri Manzil and Howrah Bridge? At first openly reviled and secretely admired for her "vampy" roles, Helen proved to be the most successful seductress and Bollywoods original "eve". Research shows that her fan base hasn't dminished much over the last fifty years. Helen always was perfection and grace personified, in spite of her costumes or lack of them. In all her roles Helen was never vulgar, like some of our modern day "item" girls are.

Though Mallika Sherawat and Urmila Matondkar have attempted to charm the audience in the most recent versions of Mehbooba Mehbooba, it remains just that, an attempt. They are nowhere in Helen's class. Helen to this day reigns supreme as the Mehbooba Mehbooba girl.

Back in action

Am finally back in action after like about three months, maybe more. All this while I was on a glorious vacation in India. Well, most of the while anyways. Been back about two and a half weeks now. But I had a wonderful time at home; in spite of the fact that it was summer in India. I realised what the term "Indian Summer" means. It means unrelenting, brain frying heat. It was HOT HOT HOT! But I realised one thing. India with all its heat and dust is still more colourful and vibrant than any place I have ever seen in all my life. I was so glad to be back that I even embraced the horrible summer eagerly.

When I say that in spite of the heat, India ia still colourful and vibrant, I mean how alive it is. Imagine this, The heat lies like a heavy pall over the earth. The earth herself is parched, thirsty and dry; waiting for the first rain. Not the slightest breeze offers respite from the suns rays. The bushes are dry, and the trees, dusty. There is not a sound to heard anywhere, not even a birdsong to break the opressive silence. When suddenly you hear the softly tinkling bell that cattle wear around their necks. And see them, followed by a girl holding a stick to hurry them along. Suddenly, the whole place seems to come alive as the cattle make their way home kicking up dust in their wake. Just as the dust is settling, you see a flash of lightning and hear the distant rumble of thunder. You cast your gaze upwards, and in the horizon, you see rain clouds. And just like that the whole scene in front of you comes alive. Birds start chirping, there is a breeze with a hint of moisture that promises respite from the unrelenting heat. The plants and trees seem to stand at attention for the rain. The first few drops don't even reach the parched ground. They evaporate before that. And then comes the deluge, warm, life giving rain. The plants and trees seem to flutter and dance in the wind and the rain. That is when you realise, summer is over. The rains have come.

There is nothing like the first rain to make one aware of the power of nature over man. The monsoons in India are like nothing else on earth. The warm rain, the cold winds, the smell of rain drenched earth and the sight of growing greenery....makes me feel happy to be alive!