Mar 8, 2025
Vyjayanthimala, Shammi Kapoor and Helen were the most superior Bollywood dancers of the late 1950s and 1960s. They were all finally put together for this dance-off which uses different forms from all over India and across the globe. The freestyle song was playful, fabulous, eye-catching and one of her favorites.
A highlight of the remake of 1954 Bengali movie Agni Pariksha is Vyjayanthimala giving a classical Indian dance recital in an otherworldly location, during a theatrical performance. From the movements to the expressions and statuesque postures, it's all perfect.
This song showcased a classical Indian dance in its unadulterated form. It featured two dancers in dramatic costumes, including Vyjayanthimala in a classic old-fashioned danceoff, with classical Indian music playing in the background. It is simply lovely to watch.
Arguably the finest dance moment of Vyjayanthimala's sparkling career. One of the finest dance numbers ever conceived on film featured the Bharatanatyam siren imparting passion, power, and poise in what is perhaps best described as the ideal performance. The explosive choreography is supported by awe-inspiring camerawork, which drew the audience into the midst of the action.
The Vyjayanthimala legend began with this humble snake dance number. The young actress floats to a song that became a craze when it was released, with people showering coins on the screen. The enchanting moment launched an unstoppable ascent that would propel her to the pinnacle and redefine dance in commercial Hindi cinema.
Though the stunning actress executed every kind of style throughout the years, she performed best with Indian classical dance. She superbly blends classical steps to a mainstream Bollywood tune and made it poetically visual.
This pioneering musical number was the first in Bollywood in which a wife attempts to seduce her husband with sultry dance steps, revealing outfits and hints of striptease. The saucy lyrics and stunning screen presence of the actress made this one of the all-time movie moments.
'Naya Daur', directed and produced by B. R. Chopra, featured Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala in the lead roles. 'Ude Jab Jab Zulfen Teri' and 'Kunwariyon Ka Dil Machle' were popular songs, with Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle’s soulful renditions complementing Vyjayanthimala’s performance.
Character-wise, the best dancers in the history of Bollywood have been courtesans, and they have been acted by actresses of various generations. The best among them is Chandramukhi in 'Devdas' and Vyjayanthimala portrayed her in the definitive film. It featured this classical inspired dance number, which became the benchmark for others and was a critical trigger point in the plot of the film.
She might have performed a technically flawless Bharatanatyam dance in the film, but this musical scene is special because it was among the first in Bollywood to be influenced by bhangra folk.
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