that Dancing-Queen legendary Helen ( "Monica") is also an award-winning amazing actress who has romanced Superstars on-screen ?

by Chaitanya Padukone

Although she is such a legendary versatile dancer, dignified Helen ( who celebrated her 86th birthday on Nov 21st) ) seems immensely popular mostly for her iconic cabaret filmy dances. Yes, it’s absolutely true that agile Helen has captivated the theatre audiences in evergreen chartbuster seductive-vibes cabaret film songs like Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu ( Howrah Bridge—Geeta Dutt),  ‘Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja—Monica (Caravan-Asha Bhosle-R D Burman), Aao Na Gale Lagao Na ( Mere Jeevan Saathi-Asha Bhosle), ‘Aaj Ki Raat Koi Aaney’ (Anamika-Asha Bhosle)  Karle Pyaar ( Talaash-Asha Bhosle), Aa Jaan-e-Jaan ( Intaqam-Lata Mangeshkar) and so many more cabaret songs..       

But it must also be noted that versatile graceful Helen has an amazing variety of songs picturised on her which also required her to perform a classical kathak dance-based 'mujra’ song ‘Hum Tumhare Hain; Zaraa Ghar Sey Nikalkar ( along with eminent iconic dancer Cuckoo)  in this romantic comedy cult-musical movie Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi’ ( 1958). Then there is this Maharashtrian (‘laavani’) folk flavour as in O Mungdaa (Inkaar) sung by Usha Mangeshkar and of course Bollywood  tense-situation relief-song carefree dancing  Gham Chhod Ke Manao Rang (‘Gumnaam) sung by Lata Mangeshkar   

The super-talented Helen in the past, has also acted as the lead or parallel lead in numerous movies as an amazing actress. Like for instance in ‘Mere Jeevan Saathi’(1972)  in a grey-shades seductive role, Helen was seen romancing superstar Rajesh Khanna. While in Imaan Dharam (1977)  Helen was co-starring opposite Amitabh Bachchan which also has Rekha and Aparna Sen.   Cut to 22 years later, in the year 1999, where Helen in a cameo appearance played superstar Salman Khan’s screen-mother.  It may also be recalled that spontaneous performer Helen won the Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Award for her riveting role opposite Vinod Khanna in ‘Lahu Ke Do Rang’ (1979 ) directed by Mahesh Bhatt.

When I sent honorable Helen-jee my personal whatsapp Bday msg yesterday, wishing her a Super-Happy B’day,-- with a healthy, cheerful active life ahead ---within Six minutes I received her personal Whatsapp response “thanking me"|.. That’s what iconic legends ( like Helen-jee) are made up of ---modesty and humility. Incidentally evergreen Helen shares a friendly warm bonding with veteran legendary actresses Waheeda Rehman and Asha Parekh and the three of them often travel together on adventure trips in various cities and scenic locations.

 In real life, dignified Helen is quite reserved and rather shy and opens up to converse freely only when she gets to know you very well. When I had mentioned the current popular term ‘item-girl Helen did not seem to be happy to hear it.  “ One needs to always blend and adjust with the changing times, At the same time, there always has to be a respectful dignity attached to both dancers and dances, In our ‘golden era’ times the respected terms commonly used were song situation-classical dancers, dance-masters, romantic song dancers, folk-dancers, chorus-group-dancer-artistes and lead cabaret-dancers on whom the different category songs were picturised,” said the charming Golden Girl of Indian filmy dancing..  It is also known that  Helen always added dignity to her dancing, and avoided vulgar movements. In all her dances she would be gracefully dressed. Wherever exposure of  skin was required she would generally cover it with light skin-colored dress-material and skin-colored legs-stockings

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