on this day

Cinemaazi remembers director Chandrakant (Chandrakant Gur) on his death anniversary.

Remembering the comic brilliance of Mehmood on his death anniversary.

Cinemaazi wishes Dr Mohan Agashe on his birthday. He is a veteran actor and theatre personality who has been bestowed with the prestigious Padmashree award. 

Film and TV actor, producer, and director Mazhar Khan is known for films such as Gang (2000), Shaan (1980) and Bombay Fantasy (1983). He featured in more than 40 Hindi films essaying villain and supporting roles through the 1980s and early 1990s. He also appeared in the Hollywood science fiction film Terminal Entry (1987), playing a negative role. He was also noted for his role in the television serial Buniyaad, and also acted in the British mini-series Traffik. 
(active years 1980s-1990s)

The golden era of Hindi cinema from 50s to 70s is fondly remembered till date for many a reasons. The breathtaking visuals and amazing dance numbers happen to be a major part of it. Cinemaazi remembers the background dancer Edwina Violette on her birthday- she was born on 22 July, 1941. Edwina Violette (nee Lyons) appeared in almost every film from the late 50s to 60s as a background dancer working with all the big stars of that time, the likes of Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Shakeela, Madhubala and Shammi Kapoor to name a few. The opportunity to get into films came through her brother Ted Lyons, who had been a dancer in films for quite some time. Her other sisters Marie and Philomena were a part of the group as well. She began dancing with films like Lighthouse (1958) and overtime was a part of hit films like Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Love in Shimla (1960), Junglee (1961) and China Town (1962). A contemporary of dancing legends like Helen and Saroj Khan, Edwina didn’t have the big break and success as they did but was a constant appearance on screen. Some of her most successful films include Brahmachari (1968), Hong Kong (1962), Shriman Satyavadi (1960), Aamne Saamne (1967), and Aarzoo (1965). Edwina left the industry in 1967 to settle with her family in London and resides there till date.

Image courtesy:  cinestaan.com

Showing remarkable dexterity across genres, C V Sridhar was an immensely successful director in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinemas. Eschewing the more traditional dialogue style, he ensured that is films had breezy and accessible lines. He also favoured location shooting over the more conventional studio sites. Specialising in romances, he wanted to utilise the visual aspect of cinema more, rather than solely relying on dialogues. His directorial debut Kalyana Parisu (1959) went on to be regarded as one of the best Tamil films ever made. He was born on 22 July, 1933.

Image source: vikatan.in, hindutamil.in

Cinemaazi remembers one of the most famous singers that the Hindi film industry has ever produced, Mukesh on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Born on 22 July, 1923, he was dubbed the Man with the Golden Voice. He carved a distinct place for himself with songs that express multiple shades of melancholy. His vast cache of well-loved songs include Jeena yahan marna yahan, Hothon pe sacchai rehti hai, Dost dost na raha, Sawan ka mahina, Bas yehi apradh, Jane kahan gaye woh din, Kahin door jab din dhal jaye, Ek pyar ka nagma hain, Main na bhoolonga, Ek din bik jayega, Main pal do pal ka sahayar hoon, Suhani chandni raatein, and Chanchal shital nirmal komal. Regarded as the voice of Raj Kapoor, he won multiple Filmfare awards for best singer for Sab kuch seekha humne from Anari (1959), Sabse bada naadan from Pehchan (1970), Jai bolo beimaan ki from Be-Imaan (1972), and Kabhi kabhie mere dil mein from Kabhi Kabhie (1976). His song Kai baar yuhi dekha hai from Rajnigandha (1973) won him the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. 

Born in a wealthy family in Shiuri on 22 July, 1923, Sumitra Devi went against her family's wishes to pursue acting. Possessing a spirited personality from her childhood, she took part in plays during her studies in Deshbandhu Girls' School and again when her family was staying in Bankura during the Second World War. After an impressive audition at New Theatres, she was chosen to be the lead opposite K L Saigal in Meri Bahen (1944). But ultimately her debut film ended up being Apurba Mitra's Sandhi (1944). The film was a success and even won her the BFJA Best Actress Award. Similar acclaim followed her role in Vasiayatnama (1945). She delivered several other hits, usually paired with Debi Mukherjee whom she would later marry. After a brief hiatus from films, she came back with Swami (1949). Some of her noteable roles in bengali films came in Pather Dabi (1947), Pratibad (1948), Debi Choudhurani (1949), Samar (1949) and Saheb Bibi Golam (1956). She appeared in Hindi films like Mashaal (1950), Mamta (1952), Ghungroo (1952), Mayurpankh (1954), Jagte Raho (1956) among others.

Cinemaazi remembers Arun Pradeep Kaul, known as Pandit Arun Kaul (12 August 1933 - 21 July 2007) the genius newscaster, filmmaker, T.V. producer and scriptwriter, on his 13th death anniversary.
In his illustrious career of 40 years in the film world, he scripted and produced nearly 50 documentaries many of which earned him National and International Awards.
He produced three path-breaking movies, Ek Adhuri Kahani(1972) and Bhuvan Shome (1969) directed by Mrinal Sen and Andhi Gali (1984) directed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta.
He co-scripted Dharma Keshtra, with Umesh Kalbag, which won him Best Original Script Award of NFDC; Diksha (1991) a Hindi film based on Kannada Short Story by Dr U. R. Annanta Murty; Mirgya (1976) by Mrinal Sen; Ashwamedhar Ghora(1980) with Shankar Bhattacharya, Sampark (1979).

Gulzar Sahab felt proximate to his own self; he invited him to co-script his two films Ijazat(1987) and Lekin(1990) which were critically appreciated by the film world.

Cinemaazi remembers Sivaji Ganesan (1 October 1928 - 21 July 2001) on his death anniversary. Born as Villupuram Chinnaiah Ganesan, he was one of the greatest actors in the history of Tamil cinema. Sivaji made his film debut playing the lead role in Parasakthi (1952).  The film was a huge success and made Sivaji a star. He ruled the Tamil cinema as a leading man right through the 1950s and 1960s, along with MGR and Gemini Ganesan. He pioneered the style of grandstanding dialogues and expressions in the early age of Tamil cinema. In the 70s he started to perform elderly but central roles. Sivaji was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1982-88.
Sivaji passed away in Chennai on July 21, 2001.

Hindi film music composer Sajjad Hussain passed away this day, 21 July in 1995. He also ranked as a top grade mandolin player in the industry for more than five decades. Born in 1917 in Sitamau, he learnt the sitar from his father, followed by the veena, violin, flute, piano, and mandolin on which he could play Indian classical music . Moving to Bombay in 1937, he worked as assistant music composer, as well as contract instrument player. Composing two songs for the film Gaali (1944), he made his debut as an independent music director with Dost (1944). He created one of his best scores in Rustam Sohrab (1963), as well as Sangdil (1952). The songs he composed for Sri Lankan Sinhala film Daiwa Yogaya (1959) are also considered a landmark in his career. Known for his complex scores, Hussain was regarded highly by his contemporaries, and was even named by Lata Mangeshkar as a favourite. However, in the course of his 34-year-long music career, he composed music for fewer than 20 films. This was largely owing to his insistence on perfection, and his outspoken nature.

Specialising in murder mysteries, Ravindra Dave made several successful films in the 50s and 60s. He also enjoyed a great deal of success in Gujarati cinema. He passed away on 21 July, 1992.

On Anand Bakshi's birth anniversary, look back on some of his most thought-provoking songs.

 

A legend of Gujarati music, Avinash Vyas was born on 21 July, 1912. Trained by the great Ustad Allauddin Khan and initially working with Ustad Alla Rakha Qureshi, 1948's Gunsundari proved to be his major breakthrough. He also composed extensively in Hindi cinema, though his work is considered more influential on Gujarati sugam music. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1970.