Saudi Dance

gypsy8522 · 10-29-2007, 09:15 PM

I came across a clip on youtube, labeled "Saudi Dance"....I must say it is the most ridiculous portrayal of Saudi dancing I have seen. The owner of these videos (I'm assuming it's one of the ladies dancing) is so convinced this is Saudi dancing that when Saudis leave comments telling her it isn't, she'll post a reply such as "So please, be serious and provide a clip with real Saudi dance for females using a similar music." Similar music? This is an Egyptian Shaabi song!!! How on earth could it be mistaken for khaleegi, I don't know! The lyrics "ka3b el ghazal" are pure balady/shaabi and Mohamed Roshdi has a very distinct Shaabi voice. And if you are so musically challenged you can't distinguish between the different arabic tunes, you shouldn't be calling yourself a teacher. Also, the dancing is completely off. Saudi girls don't bounce all over the place or spread their legs like that when they dance. The sadest part is this is a workshop! I can't believe that anyone could throw on a thobe, perform something that looks more like western fitness excercises than dancing, and pass it on to students as an authentic cultural dance.

Or, does this also fit under the category of 'artistic creativity'?

Aziyade · 10-29-2007, 09:24 PM

This is basically what I learned Saudi dance was at early workshop. A lot of hair flinging and playing with the thobe.

Eventually I got to study with someone who knew better and sort of explained it, but I still don't get it. Our group has a dance choreographed by Cassandra that is really similar, and it makes me nervous every time we perform it because I'm afraid it's wrong somehow.

Aisha Azar · 10-29-2007, 09:46 PM

Dear Gypsy and Aziyade,
That clip was horrific!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Saudi and Gulf friends would die!!! I feel, however, that this is no worse than many versions of raqs sharghi that we seen here in the States. I teach three versions of Gulf and Saudi dance: Modern Nejdi style, and traditional Samri and modern gulf. I have been fortunate enough to learn with natives.
And Aziyade, the dance is not generally choreographed in its native environment.
they look like they learned from watching Nagwa Fouad's dance company, who are the source of great amusement to Khaliji and Saudi folk when they try to dance Gulf.
Regards,
A'isha

Ranya · 10-29-2007, 10:16 PM

Oh dear, I am not an expert on Khaliji but even I could see it is all wrong...and honestly the music, it is SO obvious it is not khaliji/saudi!

I am preparing a little oriental show with a few of my Middle Eastern friends and fellow students and we are doing a bit of Khaliji - it is the first time I am learning it and I am SO SO SO lucky to have a Saudi girl teaching me. Ok, she may not dance in an artistic "stage" way, if you get me, but at least it is "real" and when I see her dance Khaliji I just go like "wow"...for some reason I feel it is the real thing! I cannot wait to start!
And of course I hope that it will not be a disaster like this one, oh dear oh dear....

Aisha Azar · 10-29-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranya

Oh dear, I am not an expert on Khaliji but even I could see it is all wrong...and honestly the music, it is SO obvious it is not khaliji/saudi!

I am preparing a little oriental show with a few of my Middle Eastern friends and fellow students and we are doing a bit of Khaliji - it is the first time I am learning it and I am SO SO SO lucky to have a Saudi girl teaching me. Ok, she may not dance in an artistic "stage" way, if you get me, but at least it is "real" and when I see her dance Khaliji I just go like "wow"...for some reason I feel it is the real thing! I cannot wait to start!
And of course I hope that it will not be a disaster like this one, oh dear oh dear....

Dear Ranya,
There is no better way to learn than from natives!!
Best wishes with your show.
Regards,
A'isha

Moon · 10-29-2007, 11:42 PM

I know almost nothing about Saudi dance but even I could not take this seriously. It looked like people just goofing around. She probably watched one khaleegy clip on youtube and took some movements from it.

janaki · 10-30-2007, 01:06 AM

OMG!!! I just danced to this piece last week. How can anyone think it is Saudi music. Posting it on the youtube?? There are so many people use the materials on youtube for reference and learning. As Moon said it, it didn't look serious to me anyways!

A'isha don't tell your gulf friends abt this clip. I know how they feel..

Hi Gypsy,

If this artistic interpretation......

don't know what else to say.

Aniseteph · 10-30-2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy8522

The owner of these videos (I'm assuming it's one of the ladies dancing) ......

It seems to be the dark-haired lady nearest the camera - there's a solo one posted too.

Mark_Balahadia · 10-30-2007, 03:22 PM

That was painful.

Moon · 10-30-2007, 03:47 PM

I think this is wrong too?

10-29-2007, 09:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
gypsy8522 Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 558	Saudi Dance I came across a clip on youtube, labeled "Saudi Dance"....I must say it is the most ridiculous portrayal of Saudi dancing I have seen. The owner of these videos (I'm assuming it's one of the ladies dancing) is so convinced this is Saudi dancing that when Saudis leave comments telling her it isn't, she'll post a reply such as "So please, be serious and provide a clip with real Saudi dance for females using a similar music." Similar music? This is an Egyptian Shaabi song!!! How on earth could it be mistaken for khaleegi, I don't know! The lyrics "ka3b el ghazal" are pure balady/shaabi and Mohamed Roshdi has a very distinct Shaabi voice. And if you are so musically challenged you can't distinguish between the different arabic tunes, you shouldn't be calling yourself a teacher. Also, the dancing is completely off. Saudi girls don't bounce all over the place or spread their legs like that when they dance. The sadest part is this is a workshop! I can't believe that anyone could throw on a thobe, perform something that looks more like western fitness excercises than dancing, and pass it on to students as an authentic cultural dance. Or, does this also fit under the category of 'artistic creativity'?

10-29-2007, 09:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,460	Samri, Khaiji, Raqs Neshat, Nejdi Hadith, etc. Dear Gypsy and Aziyade, That clip was horrific!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Saudi and Gulf friends would die!!! I feel, however, that this is no worse than many versions of raqs sharghi that we seen here in the States. I teach three versions of Gulf and Saudi dance: Modern Nejdi style, and traditional Samri and modern gulf. I have been fortunate enough to learn with natives. And Aziyade, the dance is not generally choreographed in its native environment. they look like they learned from watching Nagwa Fouad's dance company, who are the source of great amusement to Khaliji and Saudi folk when they try to dance Gulf. Regards, A'isha Last edited by Aisha Azar; 10-29-2007 at 09:49 PM.

10-30-2007, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mark_Balahadia Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: balad ra'eesa Posts: 204	That was painful. __________________ badde 3eish!!! www.markbalahadia.com

10-29-2007, 09:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aziyade V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornfields of Evansville Indiana. Posts: 1,050	This is basically what I learned Saudi dance was at early workshop. A lot of hair flinging and playing with the thobe. Eventually I got to study with someone who knew better and sort of explained it, but I still don't get it. Our group has a dance choreographed by Cassandra that is really similar, and it makes me nervous every time we perform it because I'm afraid it's wrong somehow.

10-29-2007, 10:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ranya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cairo, EGYPT Posts: 535	Oh dear, I am not an expert on Khaliji but even I could see it is all wrong...and honestly the music, it is SO obvious it is not khaliji/saudi! I am preparing a little oriental show with a few of my Middle Eastern friends and fellow students and we are doing a bit of Khaliji - it is the first time I am learning it and I am SO SO SO lucky to have a Saudi girl teaching me. Ok, she may not dance in an artistic "stage" way, if you get me, but at least it is "real" and when I see her dance Khaliji I just go like "wow"...for some reason I feel it is the real thing! I cannot wait to start! And of course I hope that it will not be a disaster like this one, oh dear oh dear....

10-29-2007, 11:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Moon V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 3,627	I know almost nothing about Saudi dance but even I could not take this seriously. It looked like people just goofing around. She probably watched one khaleegy clip on youtube and took some movements from it.

10-30-2007, 01:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
janaki V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hong kong Posts: 1,211	OMG!!! I just danced to this piece last week. How can anyone think it is Saudi music. Posting it on the youtube?? There are so many people use the materials on youtube for reference and learning. As Moon said it, it didn't look serious to me anyways! A'isha don't tell your gulf friends abt this clip. I know how they feel.. Hi Gypsy, If this artistic interpretation...... don't know what else to say.

10-30-2007, 03:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
Moon V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 3,627	I think this is wrong too?