Hi everyone!
Welcome newbies! The tops that Veena and Neena wear vary a bit depending on what video it is-in the fitness for beginners series of tapes they wear cropped athletic tops that you could find in a sporting goods store. In the beginning of the Discover Bellydance series-Basic Dance, Beyond Basic Dance, and Mystic Dance-where they introduce themselves-they are wearing a type of costume type bellydance vest. A "choli" is more of a sleeved half top-either with short, long, or 3/4 length sleeves that is either made of a stretchy material like a lycra blend or stretch velvet that you pullover your head, or of a non stretch material that either ties in the back or wraps. The best way to see what I mean is to visit soem bellydance costume or supply websites and see what they have listed as a choli.
As far as origins of the dance-I will tell you a little bit. Bellydance never started in the harems as a seductive dance for some sultan. It started out as a dance of celebration for women-usually at a wedding, engagement, birth of a baby, etc. Men and women traditoinally held their own celebrations for these events in same sex groups-so it was a dance the women did together. Some say it actually started as a dance for an expecting mother. It was supposed to help the women have an easy labor and delivery. In some places it has been considered sacred and men are not allowed to touch a woman dancing.
There are two main separations of bellydance-what is usually called "Cabaret" or the more traditional Middle Eastern style of oriental dance, or what developed in the 1960's called "American Tribal Style" bellydance. Veena and Neena do the traditional style of cabaret, which is usually done with a single performer-or in their case together-and they wear the traditional type of bellydance costumes. The American Tribal style incorporates bellydance moves with some dance moves from other countries and tribes, and while using the basic naval bearing costume, has incorporated costuming elements that are more tribal or earthy in the look. It was started in the SanFransico area in the 60's, but Carolena Nericcio-a student of the original starter of tribal style, made it more popular with her well know troupe "Fat Chance Belly Dance" in the 1980's-they are still very popular today. Tribal style is also more geared towards women dancing in a group together-and not a single performer.
My teacher teaches what is called "Tribal Fusion" which is a blend of both styles. Her troupe performs both traditional and tribal style routines. My teacher learned from an instructor who learned from the original starter of the tribal style in San Francisco.
You have seen the traditional costumes at the end of the Veena and Neena Videos-if you are unfamiliar with tribal style and want to see their costumes, etc. go to
www.fcbd.com and take a look at Fat Chance's website.
As far as buying a choli or bellydance accessories-if you want low cost-try Aliah's closet at
www.aliahscloset.com, if you want more of a professional type gear, or some really nice zils, or even a unitard with a see through belly portion for practice or class you can shop at
www.dahlal.com-and finally, if you want a china silk veil rather than a basic chiffon, you can either send me a personal message or shop online at
www.naharisv.com.
If you want more detailed information on the origins of bellydance, you can go to
www.shira.net. She has a lot of great information there!
Have a great day everyone!
Aphil
I have moved up to the intermediate class (couldn't move up before the end of last year because of our performance) and it is even better now. Totally exhausting, but great!! I had my class on Tuesday and my abs are still sore. We did heaps of camels and belly rolls because our new dance involves a LOT of them. 
