Cabaret Queens of Bollywood
Cabaret songs were very popular and woven into the narrative of some Hindi films. Here’s a selection of the ladies who were well known for their songs, featuring the likes of Cuckoo Morey, Helen, Padma Khanna, Aruna Irani, Bindu and Faryal.
Song: Nineteen FiftySixShemaroo
Cabaret in Hindi Cinema
Cabaret is a form of entertainment distinguished by its performance venue. It was popular in Hindi films from the 50s, they were set pieces performed by a dancer. The dances were set in the villain’s den or at a pub. The cabaret was a mainstay in Hindi films until the 90s.
Cuckoo Morey made her onscreen debut with Arab ka Sitara (1946). Here she is seen in Patli Qamar Hai Tirchhi Nazar Hai from the 1949 movie Barsaat directed by Raj Kapoor. Cuckoo’s popularity in the 40s and 50s made a cabaret song an essential part of Hindi movies of the time.
‘Ek do teen aaja mausam hai rangeen’ is a song from the superhit film Awara directed by Raj Kapoor. Cuckoo was an integral part of most movies in the 40s and 50s. Before retiring in 1962 she passed the baton to the biggest dancing superstar to grace movie screens.
Song: Nigahone Pheka HaiShemaroo
Helen was launched as a lead dancer at 19yrs of age. In one of her early appearances she danced to the song Nigahon Ne Pehka in Jaali Note. This was before she cemented her place in Hindi films as the reigning dancing queen. Helen enjoyed popularity spanning decades after
Song: Aaja Aaja Aaja SanamShemaroo
A Helen song became an integral part in films and she also got bit roles either playing a vamp or the mole in the villain’s team. In the 1972 movie Rakhi aur Hathkadi, Helen played the role of Mrs. Reen, a club owner and was seen in the song ‘Aaja Aaja Sajan’.
Song: Der Na Karo Der Na Karo Piya Pyare PaasShemaroo
Author Jerry Pinto, wrote, “Her body was an instrument that came to each dance anew.” “Whether it was the complex footwork of kathak or a freeform re-invented disco, Helen danced them all.” Here seen in a more Indian avatar in the song Der Naa Karo from the movie Heera, 1978.
Song: Khilta Hua Shabab Hai Aise MeinShemaroo
“Helen wasn’t a trained dancer, she learned on the job and that worked for her. Helen had a charm that was unparalleled and came from her enjoying herself while dancing,” said Jerry Pinto. Seen here in the song Khilta Hua shabab from Aaj Ki Tazaa Khabar, 1973.
Song: Aapka Sarkar Kya Kuchh Kho Gaya HaiShemaroo
Padma Khanna was among the women who embraced cabaret after Helen. A trained Kathak dancer, she came to Bollywood via Bhojpuri films. Starring in her first film at 13yrs of age she went on to dance in many popular numbers, including ‘Aap Ka Sarkar Kya Kuch’ from Hera Pheri, 1976
Song: Yeh Hawas Kya HaiShemaroo
Unlike most leading ladies, Bindu started her career after marriage in a negative role. She later became known to play negative characters or trouble makers in movie. In the movie Hawas, 1974, she played the role of a nymphomaniac and starred in the song ‘Yeh Hawas Kya Hai’.
Song: Yeh Hawas Kya HaiShemaroo
It is hard to believe that an actress who was later known for her evil mother-in-law act and also featured as a comic feature in films was a dancing star in the 70s and 80s.
These women, including others who came after as well, made the song and the cabaret dancer a necessary part of Hindi movies. Even now decades later people may have forgotten the movies but the songs live on in collective memory and so do these dancing stars.
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