Thread: movement reads while still covered

i came across this clip of nesrin topkapi, while on hold (yes youtube bellydance while on hold or boring calls is my dirty little secret ;) i was impressed by how much her clean, articulate hip movement read while still quite loosely covered. i've always worried that my hips dont read enough during a veiled am-cab/mid-century-modern entrance. but i'm rethinking it all.
what's your favorite covered, yet "readable" video? btw, i really dig her veil starting on her ponytail! gonna yoink that move for sure ;)
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vFGh83m4r0]YouTube - Nesrin Topkapı - (1981/82 Yılbaşı)[/ame]

Good question. No videos pop out at me, but I will be interested to see what others post.

Thanks for posting that clip. I LOVE Turkish Oryantal Tansi when it is performed with class. All of those wonderful arm movements remind me of the American belly dancers of the '70s, also the costuming. I wonder if that music was dubbed in - good dub job but seems like it should be Turkish music.

Is this any different from watching Tito or Fifi in a gallabeya? They can be quite loose fitting, but the sash around the hips makes it easy to see the articulations.

Originally Posted by dunyah

Thanks for posting that clip. I LOVE Turkish Oryantal Tansi when it is performed with class. All of those wonderful arm movements remind me of the American belly dancers of the '70s, also the costuming. I wonder if that music was dubbed in - good dub job but seems like it should be Turkish music.

From what I understand, Nesrin Topakpi danced a lot to Egyptian music, rather than Turkish. Not sure why, but my guess is that it was a conscious attempt to distance her art from the reputation of stripping for tourists and dancing in pasties. I saw a clip of her, from one of her early TV appearances, where she danced with a cane, to saidi music. It was actually really enjoyable.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Is this any different from watching Tito or Fifi in a gallabeya? They can be quite loose fitting, but the sash around the hips makes it easy to see the articulations.

i think it is because the gallabeya is a folkloric costuming choice, while some other dancers make a cabaret style costuming choice but also have loose coverings

Originally Posted by steffib

From what I understand, Nesrin Topakpi danced a lot to Egyptian music, rather than Turkish. Not sure why, but my guess is that it was a conscious attempt to distance her art from the reputation of stripping for tourists and dancing in pasties. I saw a clip of her, from one of her early TV appearances, where she danced with a cane, to saidi music. It was actually really enjoyable.

Fusion!..l;, I like it. At least the two cultures being fused are related by history, proximity and religion.

Originally Posted by steffib

From what I understand, Nesrin Topakpi danced a lot to Egyptian music, rather than Turkish. Not sure why, but my guess is that it was a conscious attempt to distance her art from the reputation of stripping for tourists and dancing in pasties. I saw a clip of her, from one of her early TV appearances, where she danced with a cane, to saidi music. It was actually really enjoyable.

I think you are totally right,spot on!

When I was in Turkey I was eager to hear live music and try many different teachers(Sema,Nesrin,Hale Sultan,Ahmet Ögren and a few more)and went to Nesrin for lessons(many of the dancers performing now in Turkey is not quite floating my boat)
She was and is one classy lady

She taught steps she liked for arabic and turkish music(which she separates),and said many times to "have a proud and dignified face".
I saw her old photo albums and yes,she wore quite "covered" costumes when performing.

She stressed important of postume(she was a ballet dancer),playing the zills and showed different gestures to go along with turkish styles.

I love turkish dancing-
IMO the best teachers/performers that carry on the style is in the US.