on this day

Cinemaazi expresses heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Jayanthi who passed away today in Bengaluru. One of the top actresses of Kannada cinema, she did over 500 films in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi cinemas. Known for her roles in hits like Chandavalliya Thota (1964) and Miss Leelavathi (1965), she was an icon of her times. May she rest in peace. 

 

 

Singer Kumari Kanchan Dinkarrao Mali, better known simply as Kanchan, passed away this day, 26 July in 2004. Born in 1950, she rendered playback for films in the 70s and 80s. Some of her popular songs include Tumko mere dil ne from Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Kya khoob lagti ho from Dharmatma (1975), and Laila main laila from Qurbani (1980). She also won the Filmfare Best Playback Singer (Female) for Laila main laila. Part of the popular musician duo Babla & Kanchan with her husband Laxmichand Virji Shah better known as Babla, they were known for their work in the desi folk and chutney music genres. She is best known for her stage performances along with Babla, who was the younger brother of famous music duo Kalyanji-Anandji. She performed alongside Babla for 40 years until her demise.

Giving music in films like Ondanondu Kaladalli (1978), Khandhar (1983), Paroma (1984), Thoda Sa Roomani Ho Jayen (1990), Bhaskar Chandavarkar was mostly associated with the Indian New Wave. He passed away on 26 July, 2009.

G.S. Kohli was one of those composers who in spite of having tremendous talent remained unnoticed and largely forgotten by the audiences. An expert tabla and dholak played Kohli worked as an assistant for music composer O P Nayyar for the largest part of his career. By 1960, he had contributed immensely to many of Nayyar’s hit films like CID, Mr and Mrs 55, Hum Sab Chor Hain, Naya Daur, Mujrim and Kashmir ki Kali to name a few. He started his career as an independent composer with the film Lambe Haath (1960). The song Pyaar ki raah dikha duniya ko sung by Mohd Rafi, became the biggest hit of the film. Some of his other famous songs include Kahan chali cham se from the film Miss India (1961), O matware saajna, O anjaane yun na dekho and Yaad teri aayi to mai cham cham royi from Faulad (1963). The influence of O P Nayyar’s style of music was quite evident in his independent compositions as he also frequently took Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle to sing his songs; both of who were known to be Nayyar’s favorite. Kohli got the biggest success of his filmography in the form of Shikari (1963), of which almost every song was a hit. The Lata and Usha Mangeshkar duet Tumko piya dil diya kitne naaz se is still remembered as a wonderful composition of changing rhythms and melodious tunes. Though, Kohli could not really shine as an independent composer and was stuck to doing stunt films like Naujawan (1966), Do Matwale (1966), Jang aur Aman (1968), Gunda (1969) and Jaalsaaz (1969). Kohli continued assisting Nayyar till the end of his career in 1969. He passed away on 25 July, 1996. Cinemaazi remembers the veteran composer on his death anniversary.

A brilliant character actor, famous for his roles in cult European horror and sci-fi films, John Saxon passed away on July 25, 2020. Other than acclaimed performances in films like The Appaloosa (1966), he appeared in several classic horror and action titles, working with directors like Dario Argento and Wes Craven. His martial arts prowess also led to him working in the classic Enter The Dragon (1973). His one Indian connection comes in the form of his appearance as Colonel Columbus in Krishna Shah's big budget bomb Shalimar (1978). The film aimed to score big in both domestic and international markets, taking it's cue from many exoticized adventures centered around Eastern countries produced by Hollywood. A hugely expensive production for its time, and completed in just three months, it was shot in both English and Hindi. Unfortunately the film turned out to be an unmitigated disaster. 

In image: John Saxon, Zeenat Aman, Rex Harrison, Dharmendra, O P Ralhan and Shammi Kapoor on the sets of Shalimar (1978). Courtesy: India Today. 

 

 

Cinemaazi remembers art director Deen Dayal Vyas also known as D Vyas. He was born on 25 July, 1921. He worked on films like Kasturi(1954), Vanjara (1954), Hasina (1955), Mr Chakram (1955) among others. 

Cinemaazi remembers choreographer Krishnan Kutty Nair on his birth anniversary. He was born on this day in 1920 in Travancore. Nair was known for his work in films like Leela (1947), Pyar Ki Jeet (1948), Bari Behen (1949), Kali Ghata (1951), Mayurpankh(1954) and Patit Pawan (1955).

Cinemaazi remembers the legendary Marathi music composer and singer, Sudhir Phadke on his birth anniversary. Phadke, who composed the popular "Khush hai zamana aaj pehli tarikh hai", was born on 25 July 1919. 

 Cinemaazi celebrates writer-filmmaker B R Ishara on his death anniversary. He was born as Roshan Lal Sharma and popularly are known as Babu in Himachal Pradesh's Una district. He ran away from home as a teenager to Bombay and started doing odd jobs in film studios. He started his film career as a tea boy and gradually climbed the later to a writer and eventually a director with Insaaf ka Mandir (1969). He assisted Basu Bhattacharya in Teesri Kasam (1966), wrote the dialogues of Dulal Guha's hinterland hit Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke (1969) but became a much-discussed and debated figure after writing and directing Chetna (1970), the story of a young man falling in love and marrying a sex worker. Milap (1972) was another bold movie by him. The writer-director gave breaks to a long list of newcomers: Anil Dhawan (Chetna, 1970), Parveen Babi (Charitra, 1973), Reena Roy (Zaroorat, 1972), Raj Kiran (Kaagaz Ki Nao, 1975) and several others. 
In Ek Nazar (1972), he also directed Amitabh Bachchan before the actor found big success. Cricket lovers would also recall Test all-rounder Salim Durrani working for him in Charitra.
He got married in 1984 to Rehana Sultan. Ishara died from tuberculosis on 24 July 2012 in Mumbai.

Remembering the great Chandra Mohan, one of the most memorable villains of Indian cinema on his birth anniversary. He was born on 24 July, 1906. He is seen here with Sheikh Mukhtar in one of his career best roles in Mehboob Khan's Roti (1942).

Remembered for his performances in Apanjan (1968), Parineeta (1969), Aranyer Din Ratri (1969), Guddi (1971), Harmonium (1976) and Ganadevata (1979), Samit Bhanja passed away on 24 July, 2003.

Birthday wishes to National Award winning cinematographer and director Goutam Ghose. Maker of acclaimed films like Dakhal (1982), Paar (1984), Antarjali Yatra (1987), Padma Nadir Majhi (1992), Patang (1993), Gudia (1997), Abar Aranye (2003), Kaalbela (2009) and Moner Manush (2010), he has also occasionally acted in films. His films bear strong influences from New Wave realism with a focus on the society's marginalised peoples. With no formal training in filmmaking, he had started making documentaries with a borrowed 35 mm camera. It was his documentary Hungry Autumn (for which Mrinal Sen had acted as his bank guarantor), based on the famine of 1974, which brought him widespread attention. 

In image: Scenes from his 1984 Paar.

Cinemaazi remembers famed danseuse and actress Amala Shankar on her death anniversary. Wife of world-renowned dancer and choreographer Uday Shankar, and sister-in-law of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, Amala Shankar also acted in the film Kalpana directed by her husband. Born Amala Nandy in 1919, she and her jeweller father first met Uday Shankar and his family in Paris in 1930. She was just 11. Later she went on to train at the Uday Shankar Centre for Dance in Almora. She and Uday married in 1942. She went on to feature in Uday Shankar’s Kalpana (1948), a fantasy film and dance drama which he also produced. The film explored the flaws existing in society and suggested how a creative education system and the arts in a good environment could prove beneficial. Incidentally, the film was lost for many years till it was restored by Martin Scorsese and screened at Cannes in 2012. A then 93-year-old Amala had walked the red carpet to watch the film. Separating from Uday a few years before his death in 1977, Amala continued to keep his style of dance alive. She passed away on 24 July, 2020.

The multi-faceted talent Subir Sen was born this day, 24 July in 1934. Rendering playback for Bengali and Hindi films, he also composed music and acted in films. Known for his deep, dreamy and romantic voice, his renditions of Rabindra Sangeet, Hindi film songs, and Bangla modern songs are regarded as representative of a genre of their own. Fond of Western music, particularly of Jim Reeves and Nat King Cole, he is also considered as having created a unique international style. He also sang for Hindi films such as Chhoti Bahen (1959), Boy Friend (1961) and Passport (1961). Debuting as music director in 1967, he composed for the Bengali film Miss Priyambada, and the Hindi film Midnight (1972). Sen also acted in Bengali and Hindi films. He was an actor-singer in Momer Alo (1964) with Uttam Kumar, and Anubhav (1971) with Sanjeev Kumar. His literary talent can be experienced in a chapter of a book titled Shyamal Mitra – A Compilation of Essays. Among the awards he won are the Sangeet Maha Samman, and Banga Bibhushan, both by the Government of West Bengal. Sen passed away in 2015.

Amladevi Shankar, the well known densuese and the actress of the famous film Kalpana (1948), the widow of Uday Shankar, passed away today at the age of 101.

Cinemaazi remembers Chandra Mohan on his birth anniversary. Born as Chandra Mohan Wattal, the actor with ‘regal looks’ gave many successful films in the 30s and 40s. He was the highest paid actor at that time with a remuneration of Rs 3750 per month. He belonged to a Kashmiri Pandit lineage. He was introduced by V. Shantaram in Amrit Manthan (1934) and rose to great fame after Pukar (1939) was released. In a career spanning less than 15 years, he worked in films like Dharmatma (1935), Amar Jyoti(1936), Wahan (1937), Jwala (1938), Pukar (1939), Geeta (1940), Roti (1942), Taqdeer (1943), Shakuntala (1943), Naukar(1943), Raunaq(1944 ), Panna Dai (1945), Humaayun (1945), Mumtaz Mahal(1945), Shalimar(1946) and Shaheed (1948).
He died young, on 2 April 1949. Baburao Patel devoted large space in an issue of Film India to this star.

Cinemaazi remembers singer-actress Sushila Rani Patel on her 6th death anniversary. She starred in and sang for films like Draupadi (1944) and Gwalan(1946).

Cinemaazi wishes Manoj ‘Bharat’ Kumar on his 83rd birthday! May he have a long life.

Born as Arun Kumar Chatterjee the ‘mahanayak’ Uttam Kumar dominated the Bengali film industry for three decades. He was known for his versatility and naturalistic acting, realistic performances, and charming demeanour. Cinemaazi remembers him on his 40th death anniversary.

His first release was Nitin Bose’s Drishtidaan (Bengali, 1948) as his debut film Mayador(Hindi, 1947) remained unreleased. Kamana (1949) was his first film in the lead role. None of these and his other films that followed till Basu Parivar(1952) made any impact. The comedy-drama Sharey Chuattar (1953) co-starring Suchitra Sen started a new chapter in the history of Bengali cinema. Not only was the film successful it also marked the introduction of the most celebrated on-screen couple in Bengali cinema. They went on to appear together in films like Agnipariksha (1954), Shap Mochan (1955), Sagarika (1956), Harano Sur (1957), Indrani (1958), Chaowa-Paowa (1959), Saptapadi(1961), Bipasha (1962) and Grihadaha (1967). His other popular films include Nayak (1966), Antony Firingee (1967), Chowringhee (1968), Chhadmabeshi(1971), Stree (1972), Sanyasi Raja (1975) and Agnishwar (1975). He produced many Bengali films. His first Hindi film as producer was Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967). The film proved to be a disaster at the box-office leaving him in debt.

In Hindi films, Uttam Kumar is remembered for his memorable performances in Amanush(1975), Anand Ashram(1977),Kitaab (1979) and Dooriyaan (1979). He did more than 15 Hindi films. When the Indian Government instituted the National Awards for Best Actor and Actress in 1967, Uttam Kumar was the first ever recipient of the Best Actor Award for his performances in Chidiakhana and Antony Firingee (1967), while Nargis won the Best Actress Award for Raat Aur Din(1967).

Few would know that he worked as a clerk at the Port Commissioner’s office in Calcutta before joining films. 
Uttam Kumar appeared in over 217 films in his three-decade long career. 

Cinemaazi remembers CV Sridhar, an immensely successful director in both Tamil & Hindi cinema, on his 87th birth anniversary. He was lauded for understanding the pulse of the audience and creating movies catering to the common man in career spanned over four decades.  ‬
‪His debut film as a director was Kalyana Parisu (1959). His other films include Pelli Kanuka (1960), Then Nilavu (1961), Seeta Geeta Datithe (1977), Ilamai Unchaladugirathu (1978), Azhage Unnai Aarathikkirean (1979), Prema Sangamam (1984) and Yaro Ezhuthia Kavithai(1986)‬
His Hindi cinema include Nazrana (1961), Dil Ek Mandir (1963) and Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966), Dharti (1970) and Gehri Chaal (1973). He directed films in Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu as well. Sridhar was also a prolific writer. He launched stars like Devika, Jayalalithaa and Ravichandran. He passed away on 20 October, 2008. 
 

v, fondly called as Edu, an Anglo-Indian dancer who shimmied across the screen between the 1950s and the early 70s, on her 79th birthday. She was part of a wave of Anglo-Indian dancer and musicians working in the movies in the mid-‘50s. In a career that spanned almost two decades, she appeared in more than 150 dance sequences, mostly club dances and in several small roles. She was a gifted dancer and got noticed even though she was mostly dancing in the background. Sadly, she remains unsung. She was also famous for her varied hairstyles. She moved to the UK with her husband leaving her film career behind. In this song, we see her grooving to the song Dil Ki Manzil in Vijay Anand’s  Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963). The song is composed by S D Burman, the lyrics are penned down by Hasrat Jaipuri and voiced by Asha Bhosle. She holds the audience attention each time she is on the screen.