Celebrating Madhuri Dixits dancing talent
Madhuri Dixit and dance seem to fit together like a hand to a glove. It takes just a mention of her name and it is almost impossible not to find yourself plodding along down memory lane and thinking about the lady�۪s many dance performances in her movies. It can be argued that there is has been no dancer quite like her what with her grace, her facial expressions and her ��ada�۪. Today, on the lovely actress�۪s birthday, BizAsia is looking back at some of her most famous dance songs. Join us as we discover ��� in no particular order – why her moves are still just as iconic today as when they first appeared on our screens.
It�۪s impossible to forget the black, blue and silver suit which Dixit adorned in the title track of 2007�۪s ��Aaja Nachle�۪. It was the very last time she was seen on the big screen and although the movie itself failed to leave a mark of significance, it has to be said that this song in particular reminded audiences what they had been missing since ��Devdas�۪ (2002). It can be said that some dance movements are made for certain performers and Dixit has so many associated with her ��� the circular hand movement in this song being one of them.
Who can forget Dixit’s style and smile in 1997’s musical extravaganza that was ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’? The movie’s music is much celebrated but the one song that made it to this list is all about jugalbandi, ‘Dance of Envy’. Featuring Dixit with the beautiful Karisma Kapoor, the dance is cleverly choreographed by Shiamak Davar. The two actresses come together in such a way in this song that maximises their inner dancing personas. Dixit, in particular, portrays her talent and attitude in an unforgettable fashion.
The magnificence of Dixit’s dance is in��her ability��to dance to Indian techniques as well as western methods. What better example to showcase a contrast to ‘Dance of Envy’ than ‘Sanson ki mala’ from 1997’s ‘Koyla’. Adorning traditional dress, the actress’s performance in this song leaves you wanting more. If there was any song that had wow-factor for Dixit, it would be this one.
Winding back a few years, Dixit gave as always a fantastic performance in 1994’s ‘Anjaam’ which was her first film with Shah Rukh Khan. The soundtrack was popular but the song that made it to our list is ‘Chane Ke Khet Mein’ which is, of course, a wedding song. Dressed in brown and green, Dixit’s expressions get full coverage in this song and who can forget the signature move which people have always tried to perfect but unsuccessfully so.
Although the movie didn’t prove to be much of a hit, ‘Yaarana’ (1995) gave Dixit one of her most popular dance numbers. ‘Mera piya ghar aaya’ showcases everything that the audiences love about Dixit’s dance. She dances in various different forms in the song and her costumes only compliment the richness in her talent. Once again, Dixit’s expressions are unmatchable.
Dixit’s mischievous self is apparent in many of the ways she expresses herself through dance but no song quite captures that mood as much as ‘Maye ni maye’ from ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ (1994). The way the hidden love between Dixit and Salman Khan comes to life in this song simply makes you want to watch the song again and again.
Dixit’s X-factor came to the forefront in one of her earliest films in the song ‘Ek Do Teen’ from ‘Tezaab’ (1988). One will remember the multi-coloured outfit, the bouncy choreography and, once again, moves which can only ever be associated to the actress and the song. It is in this song that one realises the perfection in Dixit’s dance and it’s probably this same song that put her very firmly on the map as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated dancers.
The last (but by no means the least) on our list is��a song with a very royal feel. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’ (2002) is perhaps one of Bollywood’s most outstanding remakes. Dixit’s performance as Chandramukhi was��par excellence��and ‘Mardaala’ only adds to��her character’s pain. Dixit’s rendition of a pining one-sided love is evident in the song which, in recent times, will be remembered as one of her career’s best.
There are a couple of songs from Dixit’s career which deserve a special mention. Firstly, ‘Choli ke peeche’ from ‘Khalnayak’ (1993) was not only controversial but also well-liked. It featured the actress in a traditional Rajasthani outfit dancing her heart out in an intoxicated-by-love style. Secondly, ‘Humko aaj kal hai’ from ‘Sailaab’ (1990) portrays the actress’s beauty in waiting for her love. The two other songs which didn’t quite make our list but definitely deserve to be included are ‘Kay sera sera’ from ‘Pukar’ (2000) in which Dixit took to the dance floor with the renowned Prabhu Deva (in what can only be described as a spectacle no to be missed) and ‘O Ramji’ from Ram Lakhan (1989) which sees Dixit in a mujra-style song.
Our list represents the huge talent that Dixit is and also how much her dances and screen presence has been loved through the years and missed in the years she hasn’t been in the industry.��Audiences should be��ecstatic that she will be back on form very soon and could even give the actress’s of today a run for their money.
BizAsia would like to wish Dixit a very happy birthday and hope that her smile continues to make hearts melt.
