Happy Birthday to living legend, Lata Mangeshkar ❤️ How her voice has affected millions around the world has no description. Think of a classic Indian song and without a doubt one the Mangeshkar sisters would have sung it. So many emotions and memories tied to the lyrics she has indescribably performed and poured her heart and soul into - no one can compare. If I were ever to faint meeting someone, it would be her. Pictures: James Burke, LIFE Magazine.
Nargis
Fatima Rashid
Nargis Dutt
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Happy Birthday Madhubala! My awe and admiration for this woman cannot be described. Here's to Indian cinema's most beautiful presence!
Meena Kumari - (pooja-mahi-rai) Legends of Indian Cinema.
Thought I would reblog an old post of mine - Listening to a marathon of old songs ft Meena Kumari.
Such a tortured soul
Picture posted on Lata-ji’s official twitter She writes that “after a long time she visited her elder brother Dilip Kumar at his house and got to meet Saira and himself."
So adorable. Two of the greats in 4 amazing snaps.
Colour picture of Madhubala -seems like mid to late 50's (maybe 56-57?) (not recoloured as far as I know)
A young Madhubala & her Father, Attaullah Khan
-pooja-mahi-rai
Sisters, Chanchal & Madhubala.
A genuine colour picutre from an old Filmfare
On the sets of Madhubala's own home production 'Naata' (1955) - A film about two sisters who are pretty much tied to the hip; the younger of the two (Chanchal) wanting to see the older sister (Madhubala) be happy in what she thinks is a potential marriage proposal for her older sis (a potential strapping fella who just recently moved to the village - intellectual, kind, caring, seems like he's fascinated by Madhu and taken by her beauty etc etc etc - seems too good to be true eh?) The younger sister encourages the emotions of the older. Well, turns out the dude is already married and brings back his new bride to the village to meet everyone; witnessing this, and wishing him a long life and happy marriage - through heartache, the older sister passes away in her younger sisters arms.
Quite scary and coincidental how the main character dies of heartfail/ache eh?
Madhubala in Filmfare 1957 August 30th. - pooja-mahi-rai
Ok so this is my first post in a LONG time! But this was too amazingly cute (yet tragic in a way) to NOT share.
Not seen this one before - Here we see Dilip Kumar giving Madhubala what looks like a ring (most probably a prop) while on the sets of Mughal-E-Azam.
Adorable. Simply ADORABLE. I couldn't help but grin like a fool. :D
Aaj kahenge dil ka fasana jaan bhi lele chahe zamana..!
Edits by pooja-mahi-rai
Some rare original stills from the initial shooting of Naya Daur - in which Madhubala was originally cast, thereafter replacing her was Vyjayanthimala after the dispute with Dilip Kumar and of course the well known court case against Madhu in which B.R. chopra sued her Father and her from withdrawing from the movie after signing a contract and taking an advance in the payment.
Meena Kumari meets Geeta Dutt at a social event held by K.Asif
Shabana Azmi Appreciation Post Just through watching her act and listening to her speak - whether it be about current affairs in India/around the World, politics, or about the art within acting - you learn a lot from this woman just by hearing her words. You don't have to be an actor in training, or a scholar to want to listen to her - you can be you, and you will still learn a heck of a lot. I can safely say that over the past few years, as I've grown older and learnt more and more about the world and it's ways, Shabana-ji has had a huge influence on me and how I hold myself and express myself - even on how I see myself as an individual - a strong independent woman, living on my terms and expressing myself, not letting any sort of dominance overwhelm or take over me. I can hold my head high and say that I am happy as me - as an individual. She is the only female actor (or even overall actor) in the industry that has had such an influence on my thoughts and has had me thinking on subjects that have helped me grow into a stronger person. A little personal thought - pooja-mahi-rai
Hari Bhari (2000) is a work of art by Shyam Benegal. Well made and handled with care and sensitivity - but still packing a punch with its message. The main theme of the movie revolved around a woman's womb (hence the title Hari Bhari, a common phrase used to mean 'Fertile' or 'Fertility') It's main theme shows the treatment of women, their ability to reproduce, and their worth as (sorry for the crudeness) 'baby making machines' for men so that they can carry on their family name. It shows how they are blamed for not being able to conceive boys, how they are expected to risk their health by not being allowed to have a hysterectomy, how they are expected to have one child after another within the tender years of their marriage, and how they cannot risk having young girls roaming about without getting married in case they mistakenly fall pregnant and shame the family. It revolves around how vulnerable and at risk she can be just because she has a womb, and how used she can be just because she has a womb to produce children. This scene sums up the movie for me - at the end of the movie you realise the message Shyam Benegal is trying to convey - that we can change the image that men and many countries still hold of women. That the future generations can be saved from this fixed image of 'baby making machines'. In this scene you see 3 generations; Amma (Sikri), her daughter Ghazala (Azmi) and her daughter Salma (Sachdev). You see how generation after generation, the image of the woman still has that stereotype in India, and all three generations of this family are suffering. This movie was absolutely amazing and I would definately recommend it. All the actors were sensational and not one was over acting or trying too hard. One of the many reasons why I love Shabana Azmi's work - her subtlety and poise. - Pooja - (gif by me)
