Kersi Lord started his career in 1948. There was only one mic used then. The singer would be on one side and the musicians on the other.
In Pyaasa (1957), he played Chinese temple blocks, without mic. He was put in the middle of all the other mics. The sound from temple blocks went into different mics, giving a good effect nevertheless.
When one remembers the actor Nazir Hussain, an affectionate, emotional avuncular man doing his best for his family comes to mind immediately. Known for his legendary ability to cry on command, Nazir Hussain was even called “aansuon ka kanastar” (a canister of tears) in the industry.
The ‘Dream Girl’ of the Hindi film screen, Hema Malini is one of the best known and most prolific actresses of Hindi cinema. A professionally trained dancer, film producer and director, she has starred in close to 155 movies, and also enjoys a successful career in politics, currently being MP for Mathura.
Madhumati worked in many films, including Hindi and regional cinema across Marathi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati and South Indian languages. She is best known for her performances in films such as Tower House (1962), Shikari (1963), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), and Ankhen (1968).
Pankaj Dheer was known for his great role of Karna in the television series Mahabharat and roles in Chandrakanta, The Great Maratha, Yug and Badho Bahu. He appeared in several Hindi films in small roles, including Sadak, Soldier, Baadshah and Taarzan: The Wonder Car.
Credits: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0223532/mediaviewer/rm2522482688/?ref_=nm_ov_ph
One of the most prolific costume designers in Indian cinematic history, Bhanu Athaiya is renowned as the first Indian to win an Academy Award for her work in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi (1982).
Lekh Tandon was a hugely successful director from the 60s and 70s, primarily known for films likeProfessor(1962), Amrapali (1966) and Prince(1969). Cinemaazi remembers him on his death anniversary.
Cinemaazi remembers the eminent singer and lyricist Meera Dev Burman, wife of music director-singer S D Burman on her death anniversary. Born in Comilla, Bangladesh in March 1923, she settled in Calcutta and trained in music at Rabindranath Tagore’s Vishwa Bharti in Shantiniketan. Her meeting with S D Burman at the All India Music Conference in Allahabad and marrying him shortly after marked her professional association with music. A s...
An almost ubiquitous name in cinema from the 50s to the 80s, Mangesh Desaiwas one of those whose behind-the-scenes labour are an indispensable part of the filmmaking process. For years he was Hindi cinema's go to guy for sound mixing and re-recording. Cinemaazi celebrates his work on his death anniversary.
Jayanta Hazarika, also known as Rana da with love, is an Assamese cultural icon. He was the younger brother of DrBhupen Hazarika who started his musical journey by assisting his older brother. He is attributed to the fusion of western classical, rock and roll, jazz sound with Assamese traditional music that gave a new sound to the music from the region. In his short span of life, he had also been involved in several Assamese films in the role of...
Cinemaazi wishes filmmaker Mira Nair a happy birthday. Known for her acclaimed films like Salaam Bombay! (1988), Mississippi Masala (1991), Monsoon Wedding (2001) and The Namesake (2006), she was actually more interested in theatre in her younger years. She began her filmmaking journey by producing a black and white documentary called Jama Masjid Street Journal. She set up the Salaam Balak Trust with profits from Salaam Bombay! and also founded a...
Not many get to share a birthday with their father. But such is the case for Imtiaz Khan who was born on the same day as his father Jayant. He worked as an actor and director in Hindi cinema. Cinemaazi remembers his contributions on his birth anniversary
One half of the Shankar-Jaikishan duo, Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi was a supremely talented musician in his own right. He learnt the tabla from Baba Nasir Khansahib and later trained under Khawaja Khurshid Anwar. He worked with Prithvi Theatres before striking up his immortal partnership with Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal. He worked primarily with Shailendra and was behind the duo's more soulful compositions. He composed solo for some time af...
Cinemaazi remembers the multifaceted musician Dilip Dholakia on his birth anniversary. Born in Junagadh, he was exposed to music since the young age of seven, when he accompanied his father and grandfather who sang Bhajans in temples and played the Pakhwaj. He was trained in Hindustani classical music. Often credited as D. Dilip or Diliprai in Hindi films, Dilip Dholakia remained all of a singer, music director, music arranger and at times a lyri...
One of the most beloved and familiar figures of Indian cinema, Jayant was known for his powerful performances. Cinemaazi remembers the legendary actor on his birth anniversary.
Wazir Mohammed Khan was a stage actor who performed in several silent films in minor roles. His voice has made history in Indian cinema as he sang the famous song Dil De Khuda Ke Naam Par Pyare in our first talkie Alam Ara (1931) where he played the role of a fakir. He later rendered the same song in the consequent remakes of the films in 1955 and 1973. He worked with some of the most renowned filmmakers of Hindi cinema such as Mehboob Khan, Dins...
Cinemaazi remembers music composer Daan Singh on his birth anniversary. A student of Khemchand Prakash, he is known for films like Bhool Na Jana (1965), Toofan (1969) and My Love (1970). Some of his popular songs were Gham-e-dil kisse kahoon and Woh tere pyar ka gham. He is one of the many artists who never received their proper dues.
Raja Nawathe, producer-director of the 50s and 60s, was born on this day in 1924 in Bombay Presidency in British India. He started his career as an assistant director to Raj Kapoor in a few projects such as Aag(1948), Barsaat(1949) and Awaara(1951). In 1953, he made his directorial debut under R K Films banner with Aah starring the showman, Raj Kapoor, alongside Nargis. His second feature Basant Bahar (1956)’s music was very well received b...
A significant figure in the history of Marathi cinema, Vishnupant Govind Damle was one of the founding members of both Maharashtra Film Company and Prabhat Studios. With S Fattelal, he made the landmark Sant Tukaram (1936). Cinemaazi salutes him on his birth anniversary.
Image credit: https://x.com/cinemaazi/status/1713106503706800350
This section is for paid subscribers only. Our subscription is only $3700/- for one full year. You get unlimited access to all paid section and features on the website with this subscription.