Rhythms of Oriental Dance (DVD + CD)

Nesma & Khamis Henkesh

Directed by Gustavo Salmerón

A creative, entertaining way for dancers and musicians to learn the basic rhythms of Egyptian music.

An exchange of ideas and insights between musician and dancer with lively demonstrations of percussion rhythms and choreography throughout, Rhythms of Oriental Dance demonstrates nine fundamental Egyptian rhythms in an interactive, entertaining way: first in a light, instructive interview and then in a traditional Egyptian dance piece with tabla solo in which the percussionist and dancer show us their mutual understanding and sense of humour in a refreshing performance.

Title: Rhythms of oriental dance
Dancer: Nesma
Percussion “Tabla”: Khamis Henkesh
Screenplay & Choreography: Nesma
Directed by: Gustavo Salmerón
Language: Arabic
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese.
Format: 4/3 PAL & NTSC
Sound: Stereo
Recorded in Madrid, Spain, in 2004.

Film

Part 1:
Rhythm and Dance Encounter with Demonstrations
An exchange of ideas and insights between musician and dancer on rhythms, percussion and dance. The artists illustrate points in their conversation with demonstrations of percussion beats and choreography for each of the nine essential rhythms featured here:

• INTRO
• WAHDA SOGAYARA
• WAHDA KIBIRA
• MASMOUDI SOGAYAR
• MASMOUDI KIBIR
• MAKSOUM
• FALLAHI
• SAIDI
• MALFOUF
• AYOUP
• ROLL
• TABLA SOLO

Part 2:

An Improvisation with Percussion and Dance
The staging of a traditional piece of Egyptian dance with tabla solo in which the dancer and the percussionist give proof of their mutual understanding and sense of humour in a refreshing performance.

Karaoke

An instructive karaoke including nine rhythmic patterns, designed to take information learned in the interview one step further in a straightforward educational exercise.
An original system of musical notation created specifically for this project marks the beats of the tabla in real time as Khamis plays the rhythms in different variations and patterns.

This karaoke includes the following themes:

Rhythms:
• WAHDA SOGAYARA
• WAHDA KIBIRA
• MASMOUDI SOGAYAR
• MASMOUDI KIBIR
• MAKSOUM
• FALLAHI
• SAIDI
• MALFOUF
• AYOUP

Percussion Beats:
• ROLL
• DOUM
• TAK
• TAK with right hand
• ZAK

CD

Compilation of nine rhythms to practice with or for teaching.

Booklet

Including extensive practical information on the rhythms and the karaoke portion.

About Khamis Henkesh

Raised in the heart of a family traditionally dedicated to music and dance, Khamis Henkesh was born in a street famous for its musicians and dancers: Mohamed Alí, in Cairo. His musical career began at a very young age as he played alongside his father and siblings. Years later he founded a school for children in the street where he was born.
A self-taught artist, Khamis composes, performs and directs his own pieces. He has recorded numerous percussion records as a solo artist and as a studio musician has participated in countless sessions with the most prestigious singers and performers of the Oriental music world. Regarding live performances, theatres and festivals around the world have enjoyed his art. “The tabla is my life, my love. Thanks to it I have travelled and seen the world; without it I would not have known anything.”
Considered one of the best percussionists of the Near East, Khamis has brought new life to Oriental percussion, in spite of belonging to the “old school.” By way of his personal adaptation of traditional themes, he has revolutionised Oriental percussion and opened doorways of possibilities to many musicians and artists.

“The art which comes forth from me is the Nile, the Nile is the soul that makes me feel the music and the percussion. What springs forth from me is the Nile.”.

— Khamis Henkesh

Khamis Henkesh left us on September 5, 2012.

Credits:

Dancer: Nesma
Egyptian Tabla Player: Khamis Henkesh
Screenplay and Choreography by Nesma
Directed by Gustavo Salmerón
Filmed 2004 in Madrid Spain

Picture format: 4/3 Colour
Sound format: Stereo
Feature running time approx. 125 min.
Extras running time approx. 10 min.
Region Code: 0
Disc Format: DVD5
PAL / NTSC

Rhythms of Oriental Dance [DVD + CD]