Viva Vamps!
Greta of Memsaab Story returns to Masala Zindabad for a discussion of vamps in Hindi films. Far more than one-number dancers or silent eye candy, the Amazons of Bollywood are sexy, bad, in charge, and out of control. Often they pay the ultimate price for behaving outside the bounds of filmified society, but in our conversation we discover interesting twists and exceptions to the moralizing cliché that sex = death.Also for discussion: What's the difference between an item girl and a vamp? How do vamps relate to heroes? Must a vamp be defined in contrast to the heroic? Is there any kind of bond between them other than sacrifice and reform? What kind of personality would a performer need to be a true vamp? Have changing real-life conditions for women throughout the decades shaped the need or desire for vamps in contemporary films? Some of the links we mention: the evocatively worded profile on Faryal by "The Lip" (the source of the hilarious line about Faryal that Memsaab signs off with at the end of the episode) Amrita's discussion of 70s vamps Here are some clips of Faryal, Memsaab's current favorite vamp. "Dekh To Kya Hai Aaj Ki Mehfil" (Puraskar, 1970) Jewel Thief, 1967 "Chilman Ka Girjaana Allah Allah" (Shararat, 1972) "Yeh Duniya To Hai Bas Paise Ki" (Do Thug, 1975)The infamous not-really-a-bad-girl Padma Khanna number. "Husn Ke Lakhon Rang" (Johny Mera Naam 1970) And a turn from a modern-day vamp, Mumaith Khan. "Bongaru Kodipetta" (Magadheera, 2009) You can listen to Masala Zindabad - Viva Vamps! by clicking the player above, subscribing to our feed, on iTunes or downloading here.
