Meena Kumari

MEENA  KUMARI  ' THE  TRAGEDY  QUEEN '

( New Addition - Meena ji's  poetry in Hindi script )

 
'Chand tanha hai asman tanha
 dil mila hai kahan kahan tanha'

These lines, penned by Meena Kumari in a compilation of her poems titled, 'I Write I Recite', suggest the actress was a talented poetess.

Meena Kumari (1 August 1932 – 31 March 1972), born Mahjabeen Bano, was an Indian movie actress and poetess. She is regarded as one of the most prominent actresses to have appeared on the screens of Hindi Cinema. During a career spanning 30 years from her childhood to her death, she starred in more than ninety films, many of which have achieved classic and cult status today.

Personal Life --
-------------------

Birth ---------------- 1 August 1932,Bombay
Death--------------- 31 March 1972,Bombay
Real Name-------- Begum Mahjabeen Bano Baksh
Screen Name----- Meena Kumari
Nickname--------- Manju
Father-------------- Ali Baksh
Mother------------- Iqbal Begum (Prabhavati Tagore).
Sisters-------------- Khurshid and Madhu(both elder)
Brother-in-law--- Mehmood Married Meena Kumari's sister Madhu.


Early life--
-------------

Her father  Ali Baksh was a veteran of Parsi theater, taught music, and wrote Urdu poetry. He played small roles in films like Id Ka Chand and composed music for films like Shahi Lutere.
Her mother Iqbal Begum (real name Prabhavati) was the second wife of Ali Baksh. Before meeting and then marrying Ali Baksh, she was a stage actress and dancer, under the stage name, Kamini.

Mahjabeen wanted to study in school but at the age of 7, was compelled to act in Hindi movies as a child artist.

Career--
-----------

She first appeared in a 1939 movie Farzand-e-Watan or 'Leatherface' and was cast as Baby Meena.The film was directed for Prakash Studios by Vijay Bhatt.She became practically the sole breadwinner of her family during the 1940s.

Her early adult acting, under the name Meena Kumari, was mainly in mythological movies like Veer Ghatotkach (1949), Shri Ganesh Mahima (1950), and fantasy movies like Alladin and The Wonderful Lamp (1952).

Breakthrough --
--------------------

Meena Kumari gained fame with her role as a heroine in Vijay Bhatt's Baiju Bawra (1952). She became the first actress to win the Filmfare Best Actress Award in 1953 for this performance.

Meena Kumari highly successfully played the roles of a suffering woman in Parineeta (1953), Daera (1953), Ek Hi Raasta (1956), Sharda (1957), and Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi (1960). Though she cultivated the image of a tragedienne, she also performed commendably in a few light-hearted movies like Azaad (1955), Miss Mary (1957), Shararat (1959), and Kohinoor (1960).
One of her best-known roles was in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962).

Later work--
----------------

For four more years, Kumari performed successfully in Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Kaajal (1965), and Phool Aur Patthar (1966), all of which earned her Filmfare nominations, with Kaajal garnering her a fourth and last win of the Best Actress award.

However, after divorcing her husband in 1964, her addiction to alcohol became stronger. Her subsequent releases, including Chandan Ka Palna and Majhli Didi did not do well.

Because of her heavy drinking, she increasingly lost her good looks, and when she returned, she began playing character roles in movies like Jawab (1970) and Dushmun (1972).

She developed an attachment to writer-lyricist Gulzar and acted in his directorial debut Mere Apne (1971).

Pakeezah, starring Kumari and directed by her ex-husband Kamal Amrohi, took 16 years to reach the silver screen.


Style--
--------

Meena Kumari gained a reputation for playing grief-stricken and tragic roles, and her performances have been praised and reminisced throughout the years.

Meena Kumari is often cited by media and literary sources as "The Tragedy Queen", both for her frequent portrayal of sorrowful and dramatic roles in her films and her real-life story.

Relationship with Kamal Amrohi--
-----------------------------------------

In 1952 she got married to Kamal Amrohi,who was fifteen years elder than her and was already married.

* She wrote about Amrohi:

"Dil saa jab saathi paya

Bechaini bhi woh saath le aaya"

(When I found someone like my heart
He also brought sorrow with him)

Soon after marriage, Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari produced a film called Daera (1953), which was based on their love story. They also planned another film, Pakeezah. However, it took sixteen years (1956 to 1972) before Pakeezah reached the silver screen.

A few years after the marriage, Kamal and Meena started having differences, and started to drift apart, and finally divorced during 1964.

* At the time of the divorce, she wrote:

"Talaaq to day rahay ho Nazar-e-qehar ke saath

Jawani bhi meri lauta do Mehar ke saath"

(You are divorcing me with rage in your eyes
Return to me, also, my youth along with the alimony!)

Highly affected Meena Kumari, who, once a happy woman, became depressed and found solace in heavy drinking. They remarried, but Meena Kumari had become an alcoholic by then.

Meena Kumari,'The Poetess' --
---------------------------------------

Besides being a top-notch actress, she was a talented poetess, and recorded a disc of her Urdu poems, 'I write, I recite' with music by Khayyam.

She wrote poetry in Urdu under the penname of Meena Kumari 'Naaz'. Some of which has been published. Some of them are ----

(1) 'Agaz to hota hai anjam nahin hota' By Meena Kumari 'Naaz'

----------------------------------------------------

agaz to hota hai anjam nahin hota

jab meri kahani main wo nam nahin hota

jab zulf ki kalikh main ghul jaye koi rahi

badnam sahi lekin gumnam nahin hota

hans hans k jawan dil k ham kyon na chunen tukre

har shakhs ki qismat main inam nahin hota

bahte hue ansu ne ankhon se kaha tham kar

jo mai se pighal jaye wo jam nahin hota

din dube hain ya dubi barat liye kashti

sahil pe magar koi kohram nahin hota

=========================================

(2) 'chand tanha hai asman tanha' By Meena Kumari

----------------------------------------------

chand tanha hai asman tanha

dil mila hai kahan kahan tanha

bujh gai as chup gaya tara

thartharata raha dhuan tanha

zindagi kya isi ko kahte hain

jism tanha hai aur jan tanha

hamsafar koi gar mile bhi kahin

donon chalte rahe tanha tanha

jalti bujhti si raushani k pare

simta simta sa ek makan tanha

rah dekha karega sadiyon tak

chor jayenge ye jahan tanha

===================================

(3) 'Ye rat ye tanhai' By Meena Kumari

--------------------------------------

ye rat ye tanhai

ye dil k dharakne ki awaz

ye sannata

ye dubte taron ki

khamosh gazalkhwani

ye waqt ki palkon par

soti hui wirani

jazbat-e-muhabbat ki

ye akhri angrai

bajti hui har janib

ye maut ki shahnai

sab tum ko bulate hain

pal bhar ko tum a jao

band hoti meri ankhon main

muhabbat ka

ik Khwab saja jao

=========================================

(4) ' Ablapa koi is dasht main aya hoga ' By Meena Kumari

--------------------------------------------------------

ablapa koi is dasht main aya hoga

warna andhi main diya kis ne jalaya hoga

zarre zarre pe jare honge kunware sajde

ek ek but ko Khuda us ne banaya hoga

pyas jalte huye kanton ki bujhai hogi

riste pani ko hatheli pe sajaya hoga

mil gaya hoga agar koi sunahari patthar

apna tuta hua dil yad to aya hoga

khun k chinte kahin poch na len rehron se

kis ne wirane ko gulzar banaya hoga

=================================================

(5) ' Poochhte ho to suno kaise basar hoti hai' by Meena Kumari

-------------------------------------------------------------

poochhte ho to suno kaise basar hoti hai

rat khairat k sadqe ki sahar hoti hai

sans bharne ko to jina nahin kahte ya rab

dil hi dukhta hai na ab asteen tar hoti hai

jaise jagi hui ankhon main chubhen kanch ke khwab

rat is tarah diwanon ki basar hoti hai

gam hi dushman hai mera gam hi ko dil dhundta hai

ek lamhe ki judai bhi agar hoti hai

ek markaz ki talash ek bhatakti khushbu

kabhi manzil kabhi tamhid-e-safar hoti hai

==============================================

6. ' Yuun teri rahguzar se diwana waar guzre ' by Meena Kumari

-------------------------------------------------------

yuun teri rahguzar se diwana waar guzre
kandhe pe apne rakh k apna mazaar guzre

baithe rahe hain rasta main dil ka khandar saja kar
shayad isi taraf se ek din bahar guzre

bahti hui ye nadiya ghulte hue kinare
koi to paar utre koi to paar guzre

tuu ne bhi ham ko dekha hamne bhi tujhko dekha
tuu dil hi har guzra ham jaan har guzre

============================================================

Meena Kumari's Poetry in Hindi ( Devnagri Script)

मूल नाम महज़बीन बानो

  प्रसिद्ध नाम - मीना कुमारी

 उपनाम - ' नाज़ '

** (1)

' आगाज़ तॊ होता है अंजाम नहीं होता '

आगाज़ तॊ होता है अंजाम नहीं होता
जब मेरी कहानी में वॊ नाम नहीं होता

जब ज़ुल्फ़ की कालिख़ में घुल जाए कोई राही
बदनाम सही लेकिन गुमनाम नहीं हॊता

हँस- हँस के जवां दिल के हम क्यों न चुनें टुकडे़
हर शख्स़ की किस्मत में ईनाम नहीं होता

बहते हुए आँसू ने आँखॊं से कहा थम कर
जो मय से पिघल जाए वॊ जाम नहीं होता

दिन डूबे हैं या डूबे बारात लिये कश्ती
साहिल पे मगर कोई कोहराम नहीं होता

- मीना कुमारी

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** (2)

' चाँद तन्हा है आसमाँ तन्हा '

चाँद तन्हा है आसमाँ तन्हा,
दिल मिला है कहाँ-कहाँ तन्हा

बुझ गई आस, छुप गया तारा,
थरथराता रहा धुआँ तन्हा

ज़िन्दगी क्या इसी को कहते हैं,
जिस्म तन्हा है और जाँ तन्हा

हमसफ़र कोई गर मिले भी कभी,
दोनों चलते रहें कहाँ तन्हा

जलती-बुझती-सी रोशनी के परे,
सिमटा-सिमटा-सा एक मकाँ तन्हा

राह देखा करेगा सदियों तक
छोड़ जाएँगे ये जहाँ तन्हा

- मीना कुमारी

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** (3)

' ये रात ये तन्हाई '

ये रात ये तन्हाई
ये दिल के धड़कने की आवाज़

ये सन्नाटा
ये डूबते तारॊं की

खा़मॊश गज़ल खवानी
ये वक्त की पलकॊं पर

सॊती हुई वीरानी
जज्बा़त ऎ मुहब्बत की

ये आखिरी अंगड़ाई
बजाती हुई हर जानिब

ये मौत की शहनाई
सब तुम कॊ बुलाते हैं

पल भर को तुम आ जाओ
बंद होती मेरी आँखों में

मुहब्बत का
एक ख्वाब़ सजा जाओ

- मीना कुमारी

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** (4)

' आबलापा कोई इस दश्त में '

आबलापा कोई इस दश्त में आया होगा|
वर्ना आँधी में दिया किस ने जलाया होगा|

ज़र्रे-ज़र्रे पे जड़े होंगे कुँवारे सजदे,
एक-एक बुत को ख़ुदा उस ने बनाया होगा|

प्यास जलते हुए काँटों की बुझाई होगी,
रिसते पानी को हथेली पे सजाया होगा|

मिल गया होगा अगर कोई सुनहरी पत्थर,
अपना टूटा हुआ दिल याद तो आया होगा|

ख़ून के छींटे कहीं पोंछ न लें रेह्रों से,
किस ने वीराने को गुलज़ार बनाया होगा|

१. आबलापा = जिसके पैरों में छाले पड़े हों 
२. दश्त = जंगल।

- मीना कुमारी

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** (5)

' पूछते हो तो सुनो '

 
पूछते हो तो सुनो, कैसे बसर होती है
रात ख़ैरात की, सदक़े की सहर होती है

साँस भरने को तो जीना नहीं कहते या रब
दिल ही दुखता है, न अब आस्तीं तर होती है

जैसे जागी हुई आँखों में, चुभें काँच के ख़्वाब
रात इस तरह, दीवानों की बसर होती है

ग़म ही दुश्मन है मेरा, ग़म ही को दिल ढूँढता है
एक लम्हे की जुदाई भी अगर होती है

एक मर्कज़ की तलाश, एक भटकती ख़ुशबू
कभी मंज़िल, कभी तम्हीदे-सफ़र होती है

दिल से अनमोल नगीने को छुपायें तो कहाँ
बारिशे-संग यहाँ आठ पहर होती है

काम आते हैं न आ सकते हैं बे-जाँ अल्फ़ाज़
तर्जमा दर्द की ख़ामोश नज़र होती है.

- मीना कुमारी

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** (6)

' यूँ तेरी रहगुज़र से '

      यूँ तेरी रहगुज़र से दीवानावार गुज़रे

काँधे पे अपने रख के अपना मज़ार गुज़रे

बैठे हैं रास्ते में दिल का खंडहर सजा कर
शायद इसी तरफ़ से एक दिन बहार गुज़रे

बहती हुई ये नदिया घुलते हुए किनारे
कोई तो पार उतरे कोई तो पार गुज़रे

तू ने भी हम को देखा हमने भी तुझको देखा
तू दिल ही हार गुज़रा हम जान हार गुज़रे

- मीना कुमारी

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** (7)

' यह न सोचो '

 

यह न सोचो कल क्या हो
कौन कहे इस पल क्या हो

रोओ मत, न रोने दो
ऐसी भी जल-थल क्या हो

बहती नदी की बांधे बांध
चुल्लू में हलचल क्या हो

हर छन हो जब आस बना
हर छन फिर निर्बल क्या हो

रात ही गर चुपचाप मिले
सुबह फिर चंचल क्या हो

आज ही आज की कहें-सुने
क्यों सोचें कल, कल क्या हो. 

- मीना कुमारी

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** (8)

' मैं जो रास्ते पे चल पड़ी '

मैं जो रास्ते पे चल पड़ी
मुझे मंदिरों ने दी निदा
मुझे मस्जिदों ने दी सज़ा
मैं जो रास्ते पे चल पड़ी

मेरी साँस भी रुकती नहीं
मेरे पाँव भी थमते नहीं
मेरी आह भी गिरती नहीं
मेरे हाथ जो  बढ़ते नहीं
कि मैं रास्ते पे चल पड़ी

यह जो ज़ख़्म कि भरते नहीं
यही ग़म हैं जो मरते नहीं
इनसे मिली मुझको क़ज़ा
मुझे साहिलों ने दी सज़ा
कि मैं रास्ते पे चल पड़ी

सभी की आँखें सुर्ख़ हैं
सभी के चेहरे ज़र्द हैं
क्यों नक्शे पा आएं नज़र
यह तो रास्ते की ग़र्द हैं
मेरा दर्द कुछ ऐसे बहा

मेरा दम ही कुछ ऐसे रुका
मैं कि रास्ते पे चल पड़ी

-    मीना कुमारी

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** (9)

' मेरे महबूब '

मेरे महबूब
जब दोपहर को
समुन्दर की लहरें
मेरे दिल की धड़कनों से हमआहंग होकर उठती हैं तो
आफ़ताब की हयात आफ़री शुआओं से मुझे
तेरी जुदाई को बर्दाश्त करनें की क़ुव्वत  मिलती है

- मीना कुमारी

* क़ुव्वत  = ताक़त, बल, क़ुवत

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** (10)

' रात सुनसान है '

रात सुनसान है
तारीक है दिल का आंगन
आसमां पर कोइ तारा न जमीं पर जुगनू
टिमटिमाते हैं मेरी तरसी हुइ आँखों में
कुछ दिये
तुम जिन्हे देखोगे तो कहोगे : आंसू

दफ़अतन जाग उठी दिल में वही प्यास, जिसे
प्यार की प्यास कहूं मैं तो जल उठती है ज़बां
सर्द एहसास की भट्टी में सुलगता है बदन
प्यास - यह प्यास इसी तरह मिटेगी शायद
आए ऐसे में कोई ज़हर ही दे दे मुझको
 
- मीना कुमारी

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** (11)

 ' मेरा माज़ी '
 
मेरा माज़ी
मेरी तन्हाई का ये अंधा शिगाफ़
ये के सांसों की तरह मेरे साथ चलता रहा
जो मेरी नब्ज़ की मानिन्द मेरे साथ जिया
जिसको आते हुए जाते हुए बेशुमार लम्हे
अपनी संगलाख़ उंगलियों से गहरा करते रहे, करते गये
किसी की ओक पा लेने को लहू बहता रहा
किसी को हम-नफ़स कहने की जुस्तुजू में रहा
कोई तो हो जो बेसाख़्ता इसको पहचाने
तड़प के पलटे, अचानक इसे पुकार उठे
मेरे हम-शाख़
मेरे हम-शाख़ मेरी उदासियों के हिस्सेदार
मेरे अधूरेपन के दोस्त
तमाम ज़ख्म जो तेरे हैं
मेरे दर्द तमाम
तेरी कराह का रिश्ता है मेरी आहों से
तू एक मस्जिद-ए-वीरां है, मैं तेरी अज़ान
अज़ान जो अपनी ही वीरानगी से टकरा कर
थकी छुपी हुई बेवा ज़मीं के दामन पर
पढ़े नमाज़ ख़ुदा जाने किसको सिजदा करे

- मीना कुमारी

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** (12)

' सियाह नक़ाब में '

सियाह नक़ाब में उसका संदली चेहरा
जैसे रात की तारीकी में
किसी ख़ानक़ाह का
खुला और रौशन ताक़
जहां मोमबत्तियाँ जल रही हो
ख़ामोश
बेज़बान मोमबत्तियाँ
या
वह सुनहरी जिल्दवाली किताब जो
ग़मगीन मुहब्बत के मुक़द्दस अशआर से मुंतख़िब हो

एक पाकीज़ा मंज़र
सियाह नक़ाब में उसका संदली चेहरा

- मीना कुमारी

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** (13)

' मुहब्बत '

 
मुहब्बत
बहार की फूलों की तरह मुझे अपने जिस्म के रोएं रोएं से
फूटती मालूम हो रही है
मुझे अपने आप पर एक
ऐसे बजरे का गुमान हो रहा है जिसके रेशमी बादबान
तने हुए हों और जिसे
पुरअसरार हवाओं के झोंके आहिस्ता आहिस्ता दूर दूर
पुर सुकून झीलों
रौशन पहाड़ों और
फूलों से ढके हुए गुमनाम ज़ंजीरों की तरफ लिये जा रहे हों
वह और मैं
जब ख़ामोश हो जाते हैं तो हमें
अपने अनकहे, अनसुने अल्फ़ाज़ में
जुगनुओं की मानिंद रह रहकर चमकते दिखाई देते हैं
हमारी गुफ़्तगू की ज़बान
वही है जो
दरख़्तों, फूलों, सितारों और आबशारों की है
यह घने जंगल
और तारीक रात की गुफ़्तगू है जो दिन निकलने पर
अपने पीछे
रौशनी और शबनम के आँसु छोड़ जाती है, महबूब
आह
मुहब्बत !


- मीना कुमारी

************************************************ 

** (14)

 ' सुबह से शाम तलक '

 
सुबह से शाम तलक
दुसरों के लिए कुछ करना है
जिसमें ख़ुद अपना कुछ नक़्श नहीं
रंग उस पैकरे-तस्वीर ही में भरना है
ज़िन्दगी क्या है, कभी सोचने लगता है यह ज़हन
और फिर रूह पे छा जाते हैं
दर्द के साये, उदासी सा धुंआ, दुख की घटा
दिल में रह रहके ख़्याल आता है
ज़िन्दगी यह है तो फिर मौत किसे कहते हैं?
प्यार इक ख़्वाब था, इस ख़्वाब की ता'बीर न पूछ
क्या मिली जुर्म-ए-वफ़ा की ता'बीर न पूछ

- मीना कुमारी

*********************************************

 ** (15)

 ' मुहब्बत '

 
मुहब्बत 
क़ौस ए कुज़ह की तरह
क़ायनात के एक किनारे से
दूसरे किनारे तक तनी हुई है
और इसके दोनों सिरे
दर्द के अथह समुन्दर में डुबे हुए हैं

- मीना कुमारी

********************************************************

** (16)

' हर मसर्रत '

हर मसर्रत
एक बरबादशुदा ग़म है
हर ग़म
एक बरबादशुदा मसर्रत
और हर तारीक़ी
एक तबाहशुदा रौशनी है
और हर रौशनी
एक तबाहशुदा  तारीक़ी
इसी तरह
 हर हाल
एक फ़ना शुदा माज़ी
और हर माज़ी
एक फ़ना शुदा हाल


- मीना कुमारी

*****************************************************


**  (17)

' हाँ, कोई और होगा '

हाँ, कोई और होगा तूने जो देखा होगा
हम नहीं आग से बच-बचके गुज़रने वाले

न इन्तज़ार, न आहट, न तमन्ना, न उम्मीद
ज़िन्दगी है कि यूँ बेहिस हुई जाती है

इतना कह कर बीत गई हर ठंडी भीगी रात
सुखके लम्हे, दुख के साथी, तेरे ख़ाली हात

हाँ, बात कुछ और थी, कुछ और ही बात हो गई
और आँख ही आँख में तमाम रात हो गई

कई उलझे हुए ख़यालात का मजमा है यह मेरा वुजूद
कभी वफ़ा से शिकायत कभी वफ़ा मौजूद

जिन्दगी आँख से टपका हुआ बेरंग कतरा
तेरे दामन की पनाह पाता तो आँसू होता

- मीना कुमारी

**********************************************

**(18)

' टुकड़े-टुकड़े दिन बीता '

टुकड़े-टुकड़े दिन बीता, धज्जी-धज्जी रात मिली
जिसका जितना आँचल था, उतनी ही सौगात मिली

रिमझिम-रिमझिम बूँदों में, ज़हर भी है और अमृत भी
आँखें हँस दीं दिल रोया, यह अच्छी बरसात मिली

जब चाहा दिल को समझें, हँसने की आवाज़ सुनी
जैसे कोई कहता हो, ले फिर तुझको मात मिली

मातें कैसी घातें क्या, चलते रहना आठ पहर
दिल-सा साथी जब पाया, बेचैनी भी साथ मिली

होंठों तक आते आते, जाने कितने रूप भरे
जलती-बुझती आँखों में, सादा-सी जो बात मिली

- मीना कुमारी

******************************************


** (19)

' दिन गुज़रता नहीं '

दिन गुज़रता नहीं आता रात
काटे से भी नहीं कटती
रात और दिन के इस तसलसुल में
उम्र बांटे से भी नही बंटती

अकेलेपन के अन्धेरें में दूर दूर तलक
यह एक ख़ौफ़ जी पे धुँआ बनके छाया है
फिसल के आँख से यह छन पिघल न जाए कहीं
पलक पलक ने जिसे राह से उठाया है

शाम का उदास सन्नाटा
धुंधलका, देख, बड़ जाता है
नहीं मालूम यह धुंआ क्यों है
दिल तो ख़ुश है कि जलता जाता है

तेरी आवाज़ में तारे से क्यों चमकने लगे
किसकी आँखों की तरन्नुम को चुरा लाई है
किसकी आग़ोश की ठंडक पे है डाका डाला
किसकी बांहों से तू शबनम उठा लाई है

- मीना कुमारी

**************************************** 

** (20) 

' एक एहसास – मीनाकुमारी '

न हाथ थाम सके, न पकड़ सके दामन,

बड़े क़रीब से उठकर चला गया कोई

मीना जी चली गईं। कहती थीं :

राह देखा करेगा सदियों तक,

छोड़ जाएंगे यह जहां तन्हा

और जाते हुए सचमुच सारे जहान को तन्हा कर गईं; एक दौर का दौर अपने साथ लेकर चली गईं। लगता है, दुआ में थीं। दुआ खत्म हुई, आमीन कहा, उठीं, और चली गईं। जब तक ज़िन्दा थीं, सरापा दिल की तरह ज़िन्दा रहीं। दर्द चुनती रहीं, बटोरती रहीं और दिल में समोती रहीं। कहती रहीं :

टुकड़े-टुकड़े दिन बीता,

धज्जी-धज्जी रात मिली।

जिसका जितना आंचल था,

उतनी ही सौग़ात मिली।।

जब चाहा दिल को समझें,

हंसने की आवाज़ सुनी।

जैसे कोई कहता हो, लो

फिर तुमको अब मात मिली।।

बातें कैसी ? घातें क्या ?

चलते रहना आठ पहर।

दिल-सा साथी जब पाया,

बेचैनी भी साथ मिली।।

समन्दर की तरह गहरा था दिल। वह छलक गया, मर गया और बन्द हो गया, लगता यही कि दर्द लावारिस हो गए, यतीम हो गए, उन्हें अपनानेवाला कोई नहीं रहा। मैंने एक बार उनका पोर्ट्रेट नज़्म करके दिया था उन्हें। लिखा था :

शहतूत की शाख़ पे बैठी मीना

बुनती है रेशम के धागे

लम्हा-लम्हा खोल रही है

पत्ता-पत्ता बीन रही है

एक-एक सांस बजाकर सुनती है सौदायन

एक-एक सांस को खोल के, अपने तन

पर लिपटाती जाती है

अपने ही तांगों की क़ैदी

रेशम की यह शायर इक दिन

अपने ही तागों में घुटकर मर जाएगी।

पढ़कर हंस पड़ीं। कहने लगीं–‘जानते हो न, वे तागे क्या हैं ? उन्हें प्यार कहते हैं। मुझे तो प्यार से प्यार है। प्यार के एहसास से प्यार है, प्यार के नाम से प्यार है। इतना प्यार कोई अपने तन से लिपटाकर मर सके, तो और क्या चाहिए ?’

उन्हीं का एक पन्ना है मेरे सामने खुला हुआ। लिखा है :

प्यार सोचा था, प्यार ढूंढ़ा था

ठंडी-ठंडी-सी हसरतें ढूंढ़ी

सोंधी-सोंधी-सी, रूह की मिट्टी

तपते, नोकीले, नंगे रस्तों पर

नंगे पैरों ने दौड़कर, थमकर,

धूप में सेंकीं छांव की चोटें

छांव में देखे धूप के छाले

अपने अन्दर महक रहा था प्यार–

ख़ुद से बाहर तलाश करते थे

बाहर से अन्दर का यह सफ़र कितना लम्बा था कि उसे तय करने में उन्हें एक उम्र गुज़ारनी पड़ी। इस दौरान, रास्ते में जंगल भी आए और दश्त भी, वीराने भी और कोहसार  भी। इसलिए कहती थीं :

आबलापा1 कोई कोई दश्त2 में आया होगा

वर्ना आंधी में दीया किसने जलाया होगा

 1. जिसके पैरों में छाले पड़े हों 2. जंगल।

---   गुलज़ार

****************************************************************************

======================================================

Death--
-----------
Meen 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.

Three weeks after the release of Pakeezah, Meena Kumari became seriously ill, and died on 31 March 1972 of liver cirrhosis. At her death, she was in more or less the same financial circumstance as her parents at the time of her birth.She was buried at Rahematabad Qabristan located at Narialwadi, Mazgaon, Mumbai.

Filmography --
---------------------

**    Gomti Ke Kinare (1972) .... Ganga
**    Pakeezah (1972) .... Nargis/Sahibjaan
**    Dushmun (1971) .... Malti R. Din
**    Mere Apne (1971) .... Anandi Devi/Buaji (Aunt)
**    Jawab (1970) .... Vidya
**    Saat Phere (1970)
**    Abhilasha (1968) .... Mrs. Meena Singh
**    Baharon Ki Manzil (1968) .... Nanda S. Roy/Radha Shukla
**    Bahu Begum (1967) .... Zeenat Jahan Begum
**    Chandan Ka Palna (1967) .... Shobha Rai
**    Majhli Didi (1967) .... Hemangini 'Hema'
**    Noorjehan (1967)
**    Phool Aur Patthar (1966) .... Shanti Devi
**    Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966) .... Heena Sharma
**    Bheegi Raat (1965)
**    Jadui Angoothi (1965)
**    Kaajal (1965) .... Madhavi
**    Purnima (1965) .... Purnima V. Lal
**    Maain Bhi Ladki Hun (1964) .... Rajni
**    Benazir (1964) .... Benazir
**    Chitralekha (1964) .... Chitralekha
**    Gazal (1964) .... Naaz Ara Begum
**    Sanjh Aur Savera (1964) .... Gauri
**    Akeli Mat Jaiyo (1963) Seema
**    Dil Ek Mandir (1963) .... Sita
**    Kinare Kinare (1963)
**    Aarti (film) (1962) .... Aarti Gupta
**    Main Chup Rahungi (1962) .... Gayatri
**    Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) .... Chhoti Bahu
**    Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan (1961) .... Geeta, Shyam's wife
**    Pyaar Ka Saagar (1961) .... Radha/Rani B. Gupta
**    Zindagi Aur Khwab (1961) .... Shanti
**    Bahaana (1960)
**    Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960) .... Karuna
**    Kohinoor (1960)
**    Ardhangini (1959) .... Chhaya
**    Chand (1959)
**    Char Dil Char Raahein (1959) .... Chavli
**    Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959) .... Ratna
**    Jagir (1959)
**    Madhu (1959)
**    Satta Bazaar (1959) .... Jamuna
**    Shararat (1959)
**    Farishta (1958)
**    Sahara (1958) .... Leela
**    Savera (1958)
**    Yahudi (1958) .... Hannah
**    Miss Mary (1957) .... Miss Mary/Laxmi
**    Sharada (1957) .... Sharada Ram Sharan
**    Bandhan (1956)
**    Ek-Hi-Rasta (1956) .... Malti
**    Halaku (1956) .... Niloufer Nadir
**    Mem Sahib (1956) .... Meena
**    Naya Andaz (1956)
**    Shatranj (1956)
**    Adl-E-Jahangir (1955)
**    Azaad (1955) .... Shobha
**    Bandish (1955) .... Usha Sen
**    Rukhsana (1955)
**    Baadbaan (1954)
**    Chandni Chowk (1954) .... Zarina
**    Ilzam (1954)
**    Daera (1953) .... Sheetal
**    Dana Paani (1953)
**    Do Bigha Zamin (1953) .... Thakurain
**    Foot Path (1953) .... Mala
**    Naulakha Haar (1953) .... Bijma
**    Parineeta (1953) .... Lalita
**    Aladdin Aur Jadui Chirag (1952)
**    Baiju Bawra (1952) .... Gauri
**    Tamasha (1952) .... Kiran
**    Hanumaan Pataal Vijay (1951)
**    Lakshmi Narayan (1951)
**    Madhosh (1951) .... Soni
**    Sanam (1951)
**    Anmol Ratan (1950)
**    Hamara Ghar (1950)
**    Magroor (1950)
**    Shri Ganesh Mahima (1950)
**    Veer Ghatotkach (1949) .... Surekha
**    Bichchade Balam (1948)
**    Piya Ghar Aaja (1947)
**    Bachchon Ka Khel (1946)
**    Duniya Ek Sarai (1946)
**    Lal Haveli (1944)
**    Pratiggya (1943)
**    Garib (1942)
**    Bahen (1941) (as Baby Meena) .... Bina
**    Kasauti (1941)
**    Nai Roshni (1941)
**    Ek Hi Bhool (1940)
**    Pooja (1940)
**    Leatherface (1939)









Filmfare Awards
----------------

**    Filmfare Best Actress Award – Won
------------------------------------------

* 1954 Baiju Bawra – Gauri
* 1955 Parineeta – Lolita
* 1963 Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam – Chhoti Bahu
* 1966 Kaajal – Madhavi

**    Filmfare Best Actress Award – Nominated
------------------------------------------------

* 1956 Azaad – Shobha
* 1959 Sahara – Leela
* 1960 Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan – Ratna
* 1963 Aarti – Aarti Gupta
* 1963 Main Chup Rahungi – Gayetri
* 1964 Dil Ek Mandir – Sita
* 1967 Phool Aur Patthar – Shanti Devi
* 1973 Pakeezah – Nargis / Sahibjaan (posthumous nomination)


Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards(BFJA)--
-----------------------------------------------------------------

**    1963 Best Actress (Hindi): Aarti
**    1965 Best Actress (Hindi): Dil Ek Mandir
**    Special Award: Pakeezah

Biography
--------------
One of the first biographies of Meena Kumari was written just after her death by Vinod Mehta in the year 1972. It was simply titled 'Meena Kumari'.


*********************************************************************

Meena Kumari--Three Memorable Films
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(1) BAIJU BAWRA (1952)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baiju Bawra is an award-winning (1952) Hindi movie directed by Vijay Bhatt. It stars Bharat Bhushan and Meena Kumari.

The movie is based on the legend of Baiju Bawra from the days of Mughal Emperor Akbar in India.

Tansen is known to be the greatest classical vocalist ever to have existed in India, and was one of the nine jewels (Navaratnas) of Emperor Akbar’s court. Nobody could sing in the city unless he or she could sing better. If this was not the case, he or she was executed. Baiju Bawra is the story of an unknown singer, Baiju, who is on a mission to defeat Tansen in a musical duel to avenge the death of than Tansen his father.


Story
--------

When Baiju is still a child, Tansen's sentry tries to stop Baiju’s father from singing, and in the ensuing scuffle, his father dies. Before dying, he extracts a promise from his son to take revenge against Tansen. Baiju gets shelter from a village priest and while growing up, falls in love with Gauri, the daughter of a boatman. He continues his musical education on his own, but gets so enamoured by Gauri's love that he forgets the promise made to his father to exact revenge against Tansen.

Later, a group of dacoits raid Baiju's village. With his song, Baiju persuades them against looting the village, but the female leader of the dacoits falls in love with him and asks him to follow them to their fort as a condition for their sparing the village. Baiju leaves with her, leaving the crying Gauri behind. In the fort, the dacoit leader, who is actually a princess living in exile, tells Baiju how her father’s serfdom had been usurped by someone and she was seeking revenge because the village too previously belonged to her father. The word “revenge” brings all of Baiju's memories back; he leaves the fort greatly agitated, and the princess does not try to stop him.

Baiju sneaks into the Mughal palace, where Tansen is singing. He is dumbstruck by the way Tansen sings, and somehow, the sword that was supposed to cut the maestro’s throat fell on the vina, saddening Tansen. He said he could only be killed by music, and the pain that accompanies it. “Dip your notes in melancholy and I’ll die on my own,” he said. Baiju accordingly leaves the palace to learn “real” music.

Baiju remembers that when his father was killed, he was taking Baiju to Swami Haridas. He goes to see the Swami himself and asks for his guidance, informing him of his plan to take revenge against Tansen. Haridas tells Baiju that one must be in love to be a true musician, and thus Baiju must rid himself of all the hatred in his heart, but still gives him a vina and accepts him as his disciple. Baiju again starts his musical training, spending all his time in a Shiva temple, but his vengeful feelings never leave him. Nonetheless, he still reveres his guru, Haridas. After learning that his teacher had fallen seriously ill and was unable to walk, Baiju sings a song that so thrills Haridas that the master gets out of his bed and starts to walk.

Gauri, meanwhile, is so distraught over Baiju's departure that she is about to swallow poison. At that point, the princess who had taken Baiju from the village comes to her and tells her that she knows of Baiju's whereabouts. Gauri meets Baiju and tries to convince him to return to the village so they can be married; Baiju, however, refuses, as he feels he must take revenge against Tansen. At this point, Haridas arrives, and Baiju goes to receive him, once again leaving a crying Gauri behind. Haridas tells Baiju that in order to be a true singer, he has to feel real pain. Hearing this, Gauri decides to make a venomous snake bite her, thinking that her death would bring enough grief to Baiju that he would defeat Tansen. Baiju sees Gauri's lifeless body and goes mad, with the princess' attempts to get through to him being futile. Baiju instead goes to the Shiva temple and sings a heart-wrenching song condemning the God who had consigned him to his fate; the idol of Lord Shiva even begins to cry at Baiju's grief.

In his delirious state, Baiju reaches Tansen's city, singing the whole way. The residents fear for his life and call him bawra (insane), hence the title of the movie. Baiju is caught and imprisoned, but the princess raids the prison and releases him. However, both of them are caught by Mughal soldiers when they are escaping, leaving a musical duel with Tansen as the only way to save his life.

Emperor Akbar himself witnesses the competition. For a long time, both the singers proved to be equally good. Then Akbar suggests that whoever could melt a marble slab with his singing would win the duel. Baiju manages to do so and wins the competition, saving his own life and finally avenging his father's death. Tansen accepts his defeat graciously, and is in fact happy that there is someone better than him.

Gowri’s father was deeply upset when he couldn’t locate Baiju. The entire village was by now making fun of Gowri’s and Baiju’s love affair. Her father warned either Baiju be found, or Gowri should marry a village money-lender and in case she refused, he would commit suicide. Gowri couldn’t divulge Baiju’s whereabouts because she didn’t want him to know that she was alive. So she agreed to marry the money-lender.

Baiju came to meet her while she was getting married, but he was on the other side of Yamuna River and the river was in flood. The boatman refused him to take him to the other side. Despite not knowing how to swim, Baiju pushed the boat into the raging waters and started towing it. He started singing a scale and Gowri heard it. She started running towards the bank and everybody ran behind her. When she saw Baiju struggling with the boat, since she knew how to swim, being a boatman’s daughter, she jumped into the water to rescue Baiju. The boat toppled over and after a lot of struggle Gowri reached him. He urged her to go back and leave him because she knew how to swim and he didn’t. Gowri replied that they had promised to be together in life and in death, and she would be content with dying with him.

Details--
------------

*   Directed by     Vijay Bhatt
*   Produced by     Prakash Pictures
*   Written by             R. S. Choudhury (screenplay)
                                   Zia Sarhadi (dialogue)
                                   Ramchandra Thakur (story)

*   Music by             Naushad
*   Lyrics by             Shkeel Badayuni
*   Cinematography     V. N. Reddy
*   Editing by             Pratap Dave
*   Release date     1952
*   Language             Hindi


Star Cast
------------

*    Meena Kumari ------ Gauri
*    Bharat Bhushan ---- Baijnath 'Baiju'
*    Surendra -- ------- Sangeet Samrat Tansen
*    Kuldeep Kaur ------ Daku Roopmati
*    Bipin Gupta ------- Shahenshah Badshah Akbar
*    Manmohan Krishna -- Shankar Anand
*    B. M. Vyas  ------- Mohan
*    Mishra ------------ Narpat
*    Radha Kishan ------ Ghasit Khan
*    Kesari ------------ Ganjoo
*    Rattan Kumar ------ Young Baijnath
*    Baby Tabassum ----- Young Gauri
*    Rai Mohan --------- Swami Haridas
*    Bhagwanji --------- Baiju's Father
*    Nadir ------------- Hathi Singh
*    Ramesh------------- Sohil Khan
*    Krishna Kumari----- Vasanti
*    Sitaram Tikaram --- Athavale


Music--
----------

The plot centered around music, so it was a necessity that the movie's soundtrack be outstanding. Renowned Bollywood music director Naushad and lyricist Shakeel Badayuni created memorable songs for the movie, with all but one being based on Hindustani classical melodies (ragas). Esteemed playback singers Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, and Shamshad Begum, and renowned classical vocalists Amir Khan and D. V. Paluskar lent their voices to the score.

*  Lyrics written by Shakeel Badayuni,
*  Music composed by Naushad.

No.    Title    Singer(s)    Length


1.    "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj" (Raga Bhairavi)
Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

2.    "Aaj Gawat Man Mero Jhoomke" (Raga Desi)
Ustad Amir Khan, D. V. Paluskar

3.    "O Duniya Ke Rakhwale" (Raga Darbari)
Mohammad Rafi

4.    "Door Koi Gaye" (Raga Des)
Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum and chorus

5.    "Mohe Bhool Gaye Sanwariya" (Raga Bhairav with traces of Raga Kalingda)    Lata Mangeshkar

6.    "Jhoole Mein Pawan Ki Aai Bahar" (Raga Pilu)
Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

7.    "Man Tarpat Hari Darsan Ko Aaj" (Raga Malkauns)
Mohammad Rafi

8.    "Bachpan Ki Muhabbat" (Based on Maand)
Lata Mangeshkar

9.    "Insaan Bano" (Raga Todi)
Mohammad Rafi

10.    "Tori Jai Jai Kartar" (Raga Puriya Dhanashree)
Ustad Amir Khan

11.    "Langar Kankariya Ji Na Maro" (Raga Todi)
Ustad Amir Khan, D. V. Paluskar

12.    "Ghanana Ghanana Ghana Garjo Re" (Raga Megh)
Ustad Amir Khan

13.    "Sargam" (Raga Darbari)
Ustad Amir Khan

Awards
----------

*    1954 Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Meena Kumari
*    1954 Filmfare Award for Best Music Director - Naushad


Remake
----------

A remake of the film was announced on November 2010. It will be written, directed and produced by American-Indian writer Krishna Shah. Aamir Khan has been approached to do the role of Baiju Bawra. A. R. Rahman has been roped in as the music director. The film is currently in pre-production.


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(2) SAHIB, BIBI AUR GHULAM (1962)
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'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj. The film's music is by Hemant Kumar and lyrics were by Shakeel Badayuni. Cinematography was by V. K. Murthy. The film stars Guru Dutt, Meena Kumari, Rehman, Waheeda Rehman and Nasir Hussain.

The film was a major critical and commercial success, with critics attributing it to Meena Kumari's performance as Chhoti Bahu, which is regarded as one of the best performances of Hindi cinema.

It won four Filmfare Awards, including Best Movie award, was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 13th Berlin International Film Festival, and was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars.


Details
--------

Directed by---------- Abrar Alvi
Produced by---------- Guru Dutt
Written by ---------- Abrar Alvi & Bimal Mitra
Based on
Shaheb Bibi Golam by--Bimal Mitra
Cinematography  by--- V. K. Murthy.
Music by------------- Hemant Kumar
lyrics by------------ Shakeel Badayuni

Star Cast:--
----------------

*  Meena Kumari as -- Chhoti Bahu
*  Guru Dutt as ----- Atulya Chakraborty 'Bhootnath'
*  Rehman as -------- Chhote Sarkar
*  Waheeda Rehman as- Jaba
*  Nasir Hussain as-- Suvinoy Babu (Jaba's father)
*  Dhumal as--------- Bansi
*  D.K. Sapru as----- Chaudhary (Majhle Sarkar)
*  Harindranath Chattopadhyay as-- Ghari Babu
*  Kishan Dhawan as --Master Babu


Story
-------

The title of the movie and the story is a reference to the plot simultaneously exploring a platonic friendship between a beautiful, lonely wife (Bibi) of an aristocrat (Sahib) and a career-driven low-income part-time servant (Ghulam).

Bhoothnath (Guru Dutt), a middle-age architect, wanders through the ruins of an old haveli.
There is a flashback to the end of the 19th century. The lower-class and educated Bhoothnath arrives in colonial Calcutta looking for work. He lives in the grand haveli of the Choudhurys, a family of zamindars while working beyond its compound at the Mohini Sindoor factory run by Subinay Babu, a dedicated member of the Brahmo Samaj.

Subinay Babu's daughter Jaba (Waheeda Rehman) is amused by Bhoothnath whom she considers an unsophisticated rustic. Bhoothnath becomes fascinated with the goings-on in the haveli and every night observes the decadent lifestyle of the Choudhury bothers.
***

 Chhoti Bahu (Meena Kumari) becomes a desperate alcoholic to make zamindar (Rehman) stay at home, in Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam***

One night the servant, Bansi, takes Bhoothnath to meet the younger zamindar's (Rehman) wife Chhoti Bahu (Meena Kumari) who implores him to bring her Mohini Sindoor believing it will keep her unfaithful husband home. Bhoothnath is struck by her beauty and sadness and inadvertently becomes Chhoti Bahu's secret confidante. A bomb explodes in the marketplace and Bhoothnath is injured in the ensuing crossfire between freedom fighters and British soldiers. Jaba looks after him. Bhoothnath becomes a trainee architect and goes away to work on a training project.

Chhoti Bahu's repeated attempts to appease her husband have failed until she becomes his drinking companion to keep him by her side. Bhoothnath returns some years later to Calcutta to find that Subinay Babu has died and that he and Jaba were betrothed as children. He returns to the haveli and is shocked to find it in partial ruins.

Chhoti Bahu is now a desperate alcoholic and her husband, paralyzed. She asks Bhoothnath to accompany her to a nearby shrine to pray for her ailing husband.

Their conversation is heard by the elder zamindar, Majhle Babu. He orders his henchmen to punish her for consorting with a man outside the Choudhury household.

As Bhoothnath and Chhoti Bahu travel in the carriage, it is stopped. Bhoothnath is knocked unconscious and Chhoti Bahu is abducted. When he wakes up in hospital, Bhoothnath is told Chhoti Bahu has disappeared and the younger zamindar is dead. The flashback ends.

Bhoothnath's workers inform him a skeleton is found buried in the ruins of the haveli. From the jewellery on the corpse, Bhoothnath realizes it is the remains of Chhoti Bahu.

The last scene shows a nostalgic Bhoothnath riding away on a carriage with Jaba, who is now is his wife.

Difference from the Novel
--------------------------------
In this, the filmed version departs significantly from the novel, where Jaba and Bhoothnath do not get a happy ending.


Reception
--------------
Besides being a commercial success, the film was a huge critical success.

(a) The Times of India (dated 24 June 1962) reviewed :

“The well-knit screenplay, achieving an effective balance between the various characters and emotional phases, provides a neat dramatic pattern. It appears to be a specially successful job considering the verbosity and digressiveness of the novel of Mr. Bimal Mitra who, though often brilliant, writes in a highly disorderly way.    ”

(b)Upperstall.com commented,

"Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a romantic and somewhat nostalgic tale of a bygone era. The film is a magnificent and sombre work with heightened atmosphere, rich dialogues, haunting cinematography, extraordinary song picturizations and brilliant performances." It also praised Meena Kumari's performance: "While each of the performances are spot on, if there is one person who is the heart and soul of the film, it is Meena Kumari.

(c) Indiatimes Movies, while listing it as one of the "25 Must See Bollywood Movies," wrote,

"The film remains with you forever simply because of the splendid performance of Meena Kumari."

Awards
---------

**    Filmfare Award for Best Movie - Guru Dutt
**    Filmfare Award for Best Director - Abrar Alvi
**    Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer - V. K. Murthy
**    Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Meena Kumari
**    National Film Awards, President's Silver Medal.
**    Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards - Film of The Year.

Nominations
----------------

**    Filmfare Nomination for Best Actor - Guru Dutt
**    Filmfare Nomination for Best Supporting Actor - Rehman
**    Filmfare Nomination for Best Supporting Actress - Waheeda Rehman
**    Filmfare Nomination for Best Story -Bimal Mitra
**    1963: Berlin Film Festival: Golden Bear (Best Motion Picture): nominated
**    1962: Indian submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

Remake of Sahib,Bibi Aur Ghulam
--------------------------------------------

Movie Name: Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam (Remake)
Status: Under Production
Directed by: Rituparno Ghosh
Star Cast:
John Abraham in the role of Bhootnath, Priyanka Chopra as the Chhoti Bahu and Salman as the Zamindar & Chhote Sarkar. 


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(3) PAKEEZAH (1972)
**********************************

Pakeezah (the pure one, pure of heart) is a 1972 Indian film. It was directed by perfectionist Kamal Amrohi.The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad. The film tells the story of a Lucknow tawaif played by actress Meena Kumari.

Production
--------------

Pakeezah took nearly 14 years to shoot because of a change in relationship between Meena Kumari and the director. Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi were married when Pakeezah was first conceived. Meena Kumari died weeks after the film was released. The film, which had been declared a flop when first released, became a success.

Details
--------


*       Directed by------ Kamal Amrohi
*       Produced by------ Kamal Amrohi
*       Written by------- Kamal Amrohi
*    Screenplay:------ Kamal Amrohi
*    Art direction:--- N.B. Kulkarni
*    Set Design :----- Kamal Amrohi
*    Costume Design :- Meena Kumari
*    Photography :---- Josef Wirsching
*    Lyrics:---------- Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi,                           KaifBhopali,Kamal Amrohi
*    Music:----------- Ghulam Mohammed, Naushad -
*       Background Score- Naushad
*       Title Music------ Naushad
*    Singers:--------- Lata Mangeshkar; Mohd. Rafi; Mehdi Hassan
*       Editing by------- D.N. Pai
*       Release date----- 4 February 1972
*       Running time----- 126 minutes
*       Country---------- India
*       Language--------- Hindi-Urdu

Star Cast:--
---------------

*    Ashok Kumar ----- Shahabuddin
*    Meena Kumari ---- Nargis / Sahibjaan
*    Raaj Kumar ------ Salim Ahmed Khan
*    Veena ----------- Nawabjaan
*    Nadira ---------- Madame Gauhar Jaan
*    D.K. Sapru ------ Hakim Saab
*    Kamal Kapoor ---- Nawab Zafar Ali Khan
*    Pratima Devi ---- Salim's Badi Amma


Story
--------

This movie is about the tawaif Sahibjaan, (Meena Kumari), who is born to a courtesan, Nargis (also Meena Kumari). After being spurned by her lover Shahabuddin's (Ashok Kumar) family, Nargis is driven to a graveyard where she gives birth to Sahibjaan secretly.

Nargis dies during childbirth, and her sister, Nawabjaan, takes the child as her own. Sahibjaan was brought up by brothel madame Nawabjaan (Veena).

Unable to break away from the vicious circle, Sahibjaan grows up and becomes a beautiful and popular dancer/singer.

Forest ranger Salim Ahmed Khan (Raaj Kumar) is enthralled by Sahibjaan's beauty and innocence, and eventually convinces her to elope with him, which she does. But trials and tribulations await Sahibjaan as she is recognized by men wherever she goes in the company of Salim.

When Salim re-names her "Pakeezah" (pure of heart) and takes her to a priest to be legally married, she refuses, and returns to the brothel.

Salim eventually decides to marry someone else, and invites Sahibjaan to dance at his wedding; Sahibjaan agrees to this.

During this event, the story reveals an exciting turn: Nawabjaan recognises Shahabuddin, and calls him to witness the irony of the situation. His own daughter employed to dance and entertain his own family without his knowing.


Interesting facts
--------------------

* Ashok Kumar was to have played the part of Salim, but the part was later played by Raaj Kumar. The character was changed from a businessman to a forest ranger to suit Raaj Kumar's personality.

* Film's composer Ghulam Mohammed died during the period. Later, composer Naushad stepped in and composed the film's background music as well as its title track.

* The cinematographer Josef Wirsching died during the making of film. Over a dozen of Bombay's top cinematographers pitched in when they had time; they however managed to maintain its uniform look.

* Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi parted ways and the film remained incomplete. It was only when Nargis and Sunil Dutt saw the rushes of the film that they convinced Meena Kumari to complete it.

* It was mostly shot in Kamal Amrohi Studios, Mumbai.
Meena Kumari was very ill when filming resumed and can be seen lying down in most of her scenes.

* For the dance sequences, Padma Khanna was used as a body double.

* Pakeezah made news during the Filmfare Awards in 1971 when Pran refused to accept his award for Be-Imaan because he felt that Ghulam Mohammed deserved a posthumous Filmfare award for his songs in Pakeezah.



Soundtrack
---------------

The soundtrack for the film was composed by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad with lyrics by Kaifi Azmi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kamal Amrohi and Kaif Bhopali. Due to the demise of the composer before the completion of the film, Naushad was signed to compose the background score for the film.
He also composed the songs, "Nazaria Ki Maari", "Title Music - Alap", "Mora Saajan Sauten Ghar Jaye" and "Kaun Gali Gayo Shyam". These renderings are presented in the voices of the veteran singer Rajkumari, Parveen Sultana, Vani Jairam and Naseem Bano Chopra.

Track          Song                          Singer(s)                      Lyrics                            Composer


1    "Chalo Dildar Chalo"             Mohd.Rafi, Lata              Kaif Bhopali                Ghulam Mohd.

2    "Chalte Chalte"                       Lata                             Kaifi Azmi                   Ghulam Mohd.

3    "Inhi Logon Ne"                      Lata                             Majrooh                       Ghulam Mohd.

4    "Mausam Hai Aashiqana"       Lata                             Kamal Amrohi            Ghulam Mohd.

5    "Nazariya Ki Mari"                Rajkumari                   Majrooh                       Naushad

6    "Teer-E-Nazar"                      Lata                             Kaif Bhopali               Ghulam Mohd.

7    "Thare Rahiyo"                      Lata                             Majrooh                      Ghulam Mohd.

8    "Mora Saajan ..Jaye"            Vani Jairam                  Majrooh                      Naushad

9    "Kaun Gali..Shyam"             Parveen Sultana            Majrooh                      Naushad

10    "Pi Ke Chale"                     Lata                             Majrooh                      Ghulam Mohd.

11    "Title Music - Alap"          Lata                             Majrooh                       Naushad


Awards
---------
*    1973: Filmfare Best Art Direction Award: N.B. Kulkarni


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