A Tribute to MEENA KUMARI-The Greatest Actress
Today on 45th death Anniversary we remember Meena Kumari.She is regarded as one of the greatest actresses to have appeared on the screens of Hindi cinema,Meena Kumari (1 August 1932 � 31 March 1972)-The Tragedy Queen of Bollywood.
Meena Kumari was born with the birth name Mahjabeen into the family of Ali Bux and Iqbal Begum on 1 August 1932/33.Little mehjabeen embarked on her acting career at the age of six, she was immersed in work over next four years, as child artist mostly in Vijay Bhatt productions Leatherface (1939), Pooja (1940), Nai Roshni (1941), Bahen (1941), Kasauti (1941) and Garib (1942).Vijay Bhatt became her mentor and, on the sets of Ek Hi Bhool (1940), rechristened Mahjabeen as Baby Meena
She became heroine at the age of 14,Bachhon Ka Khel(1946) was his first film as heroine.Same year her another film Duniya Ek Sarai (1946), Piya Ghar Aaja (1947) and Bichchade Balam (1948) performing with credit and winning recognition from all in the industry.
On 14 February 1952 Meena Kumari age 19 and Kamal Amrohi age 34 secretly married in a simple 'Nikah' Cermoney, in the presence of a Qadi and Kumari's younger sister Mahaleka(madhu). The marriage was kept secret from family and media.Though Kamal Amrohi was already married and had three childrens.
1952 was a milestone in the life of meena Kumari,she not only married that year but also she got stardom with the release of Baiju Bawra. Meena Kumari won the first ever Filmfare Best Actress Award for Baiju Bawra on 21 March 1954 at the Metro Theatre in Bombay.The film celebrated diamond jubilee. The film was a musical, set up in Mughal India of 16th Century, with classical Hindustani melodies set by Naushad Ali.
Some of her best known films were Parineeta, Baadbaan,Sharada ,Sahara ,Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan ,Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam, Aarti, Main Chup Rahungi.,Dil Ek Mandir,Kaajal and Pakeezah
Meena Kumari became addicted to alcohol. Her life and prosperous career were marred by heavy drinking, troubled relationships, an ensuing deteriorating health, and her death from liver cirrhosis in 1972.
She got burried at Shia Cemetry Mazgaon Mumbai.Her real name is carved in Urdu on the marble, her assumed name in English and Hindi is written in black paint.
Some of the Hit Songs of Meena Kumari
Mohe Bhool Gaye from Baiju Bawra
Kitna Haseen Mausam from Azad
do sitaron ka milan hai aaj ki raat from kohinoor
Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh
jyoti kalash chhalke
Na Jao Saiyan from Saheb Biwi Aur Gulam
Ruk Ja Raat from Dil Ek Mandir
Hum Intezaar Karenge Tera Qayamat Tak from Bahu Begum
Duniya Kare Sawal To Hum from Bahu Begum
Mausam Hai Aashikana from Pakeezah