Take Five: Mela Dance Performances

The Boishakhi Mela in London kicked off the start of the mela season in the UK. Melas are great and along with seeing all the famous artist I like seeing the members of the local community show off their talent. There are always dance groups performing, but one thing I have noticed is that they all dance to the same songs! Often these are Bollywood super hits and the dance moves are easy to copy from the film choreograph. They are usually performed well, but it is boring for the audience to see the same routine to the same song over and over again. Today's Take Five is made up of five songs that I would love never to see performed at a mela again.

Devdas - Dola Re

Dola Re Dola is an older song, so performances to this are getting rarer. The year that the film was released it seemed that everyone had a routine to it. I remember one mela where I saw it performed at least five times by different groups. Often performed in pairs, with one dancer playing Paro and the other Chandramukhi.

Aaja Nachle - Aaja Nachle

Madhuri Dixit is a stunning dancer, perhaps one of Bollywood's best. Aaja Nachle was Madhuri's return to the industry and the title song was her big dance number. Vaibhavi Merchant choreographed the steps and I wonder if she thought they would be attempted by anyone wanting to dance like Madhuri.

Slumdog Millionaire - Jai Ho

With its British director, British lead actor and English language, Slumdog Millionaire was not really a Bollywood film. But that has not stopped dance groups trying to recreate the last scene of the film with Jai Ho. It is sometimes performed by beginners, which is a mistake as the song is quite fast. The Pussycat Doll's version is a crime against music and should never be performed by anyone. Ever.

Bunty Aur Babli - Kajra Re

Kajra Re was Aishwarya Rai's respectable item number from Bunty Aur Babli, which also starred her (at the time) future husband. The song is over eight minutes long and is usually cut for performances. Usually danced by all girl groups in white skirts.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi - Dance Pe Chance

Steps for this dance are easy to think up, as the lyrics of the song actually suggest them! When the song was released, Shah Rukh Khan ran a competition on youtube where fans could upload their routine for a chance to win a signed copy of the soundtrack. Entries ranged from clog dancing to a mini film on a Swiss mountain. Usually performed by groups of all ages and abilities.

Any other songs that should never be performed again?