Having originated in the Middle East, Belly dancing is now quite popular in various parts of the world including India. Belly dancing has been shown in Bollywood films when Helen was the dancing diva and still continues to be a part of Bollywood songs and dance sequences, and viewers definitely seem to be enjoying it to the fullest.
And its not just Helen who has attempted this style of dancing, several other divas have not only attempted it, but also managed to do a good job! Unfortunately, we have not been able to find one by our dancing queen Madhuri Dixit as most of her dances fall in the ‘Bollywood-style’ and not really the Arabic style.
In recent times, its been Katrina Kaif who’s had got the opportunity to do some amazing numbers and show of her middle-eastern dancing skills. She has also worked quite hard at it, as she really wanted to be the first Bollywood actress who could do the belly dancing moves correctly. Most choreographers feel that Katrina is very patient, hard-working, graceful and also has the perfect body required for this form of dancing.
Belly dance is actually a western-coined name for “solo, improvised dances (based on torso articulation). Because of its origins, its also referred to as Oriental dance, Egyptian dance, Arabic dance or Middle Eastern dance, in most English speaking countries. Depending on the country and region, it can take different forms, both in costume and dance style.
Here are the top 10 Bollywood songs where actresses have flaunted their belly for Arabic style dancing.
Mehbooba: Sholay
Any mention of dance in Bollywood would be incomplete without mentioning the name of Helen. She’s the dancing queen of Bollywood and she’s showing why she’s called so, here in Mehbooba O Mehbooba from Sholay. She gracefully combines belly dancing with cabaret. And the itself is as iconic as the dancer.
Meri Jaan Main Ne Kaha: The Train
She’s again in her elements in O Meri Jaan Main Ne Kaha from the movie “The Train”. Watch the quintessential dancing diva in her individualistic style, and why its so difficult for anyone to be like her.
Raqqasa Mera Naam: The Great Gambler
When its Zeenat Aman, nobody cares about the dance moves as long as she’s flaunting her hot body. Not a very popular song, but “Raqqasa Mera Naam” did have a few belly dancing moves.
Mayya: Guru
An amazing song and a good effort by Mallika Sherawat in Mayya from the film Guru. Though its more about flaunting the belly than any real belly dancing moves.
Sheila Ki Jawani: Tees Maar Khan
Katrina Kaif has improved a lot in the dancing area and that is on full display here. “Sheila Ki Jawani” went on to become a chartbuster and Kats became a sensation with her super dancing.
Dilbar Dilbar: Satyamev Jayate
Nora Fatehi is the dancer to watch out for right now in Bollywood. In this song, Nora gracefully blends belly dancing with few other Bollywood moves.
More and more people are learning this form of dancing, not just in India but around the world, though it may not be very popular at various social gatherings within the Indian community (where Bollywood style dancing is still a rage).
Like several other dance forms, even this one offers several health benefits (improve muscle tone, balance, flexibility, coordination, weight loss, stress relief). But most women enjoy bellydancing as it allows them to express their femininity and rediscover their body’s natural movement while having fun, and it makes them look more beautiful as well.
Do you guys think our Bollywood divas can match Shakira when it comes to this Arabic dance form? Check it out for yourself – after all ‘hips don’t lie’
