The Three Reigning Queens, Albums of Madhubala, Meena Kumari & Nargis Options

[swarapriya]

The Three Reigining Queens

One was a beauty queen. Madhubala was her screen name. The other was a tragedy queen. She was known as Meena Kumari to the movie fans. The third one was a romantic queen. She was known as Nargis. All three more or less came into the movie field just about the same time. All of them started as child artistes. They shaped the industry with their charismatic personalities. They showed how to smile, how to bear pain, and how to fall in love. Their personal lives were marred with tragedies. They died very young.

They set aside thier own problems to entertain us in their own inimitable way. They ruled the Hindi film world for nearly three decades, each in her own way. In the next few months we will take a look at the songs from their albums more closely.

This post has been edited by swarapriya: Mar 28 2010, 10:26 PM

[swarapriya]

Madhubala – The Beauty Queen

Born on the Valentine’s Day in 1933, like a beautiful rose Madhubala lived only for a short period of time but not before spreading her fragrance all over. She was just young 36 when she passed away. But with a smile that could light up thousand buildings she entertained film audience with her alluring radiance. Born with a hole in her heart, a birth defect that eventually took her young life, she took acting assignments enduring endless pain so that she could support her loved ones.

Madhubala entered into the movies when she was only nine years old. She acted in many movies with her given name Mumtaz (in movies as Baby Mumtaz). Her very first film in 1942, “Basant”, was a huge success. It was great Devika Rani christened her as Madhubala when she took up assignment to act as a heroine when she was barely 14. Her tall and beautiful figure belied her age. Her first adult assignment was in Kidar Sharma’s “Neel Kamal”, opposite Raj Kapoor.

Her first huge success as an adult star came in 1949 as the heroine of “Mahal” opposite Ashok Kumar. This movie catapulted Madhubala to be a bankable star. It also gave Lata Mangeshakar recognition and a name to be remembered for her rendering of that great song “Aayega Aanewaala”.

Madhubala’s congenital heart ailment caused severe problems with her shooting assignments. She was so ill that many times people saw her vomit blood. It was during the shooting of Vasan’s (of “Chandralekha” fame) “Bahut Din Huwe” she became extremely ill. Vasan and his family kept it as a secret and groomed her back to good health. Madhubala was ever grateful to Vasan for this gesture. A thoroughly private person, she attended the premiere of “Bahut Din” as goodwill towards Vasan.

Her beauty and fame did not go unnoticed by Hollywood. Magazines over their published her pictures and stories. Frank Capra (of “It Happened One Night” fame – “Chori Chori” in Hindi) when in Bombay met Madhubala and wanted her to star in his next project. However, Madhubala’s father was dead against this idea and said a firm “no” to Capra.

In need of money to support her family, Madhubala indiscriminately went on signing for movies that didn’t help her reputation as a serious actress. During this time she was also romantically involved with Dilip Kumar. But their marriage never materialized because Madhubala’s father was against it. She was signed to star opposite Dilip in B.R. Chopra’s “Naya Daur (1957)” but after the movie made some progress she decided to withdraw at her father’s insistence. Her father felt that the extensive outdoor shooting planned for the movie was just another pretext for Dilip to be with Madhubala. Upset, Chopra went to the court. Kumar testified against Madhubala in the court proceedings. She lost the case. Her pride and reputation were irreparably damaged because of this episode.

In 1960, “Mughal-E-Azam”, gave her a brief reprieve. She was magnificent as a doomed lover. Her beauty dazzled not only Salim but the cinegoers all over. But all this came at a price. She was performing some intimate romantic scenes in the film with her estranged lover Dilip. This was taking a heavy emotional toll on her. The movie also demanded her to be in shackles some time and Madhubala who was already in frail health has to endure this physical taxation. This she never complained to the director Asif who had no clue that she was having serious such health problems. A true professional she was, she carried the demands of her role with great aplomb and no complaints.

Madhubala married Kishore Kumar in 1960. Neither side of the families were happy with this. Though married, they hardly lived together. Never happy in her personal life, and always of very frail health, Madhubala died because of the complications resulting from heart condition in 1969, shortly after her 36th birthday.

Madhubala made some 70 plus movies in her career. She left behind the legacy of a truly professional performer who was very private in many ways. She lighted millions of fans with an infectious smile that usually burst into an unforgettable laughter.

In the next few months we will look at the songs from the movie albums in which Madhubala starred. I don’t have her early work, but from late 40’s I have most of her albums in CDs that I can share. I am hoping that the Forum members can contribute songs for the missing albums.

Here is Madhubala's filmography ...


This post has been edited by swarapriya: Aug 10 2009, 11:13 PM

[amwhouthinkiam]

This is a great initiative. Look forward to your uploading the songs. Wondering if you will be uploading songs from Dhake Ki Malmal.

Best regards

Prashant

[swarapriya]

This is a great initiative. Look forward to your uploading the songs. Wondering if you will be uploading songs from Dhake Ki Malmal.

Best regards

Prashant

Prashant, yes. But eventually. I am hoping to upload these songs in chronological order.

Cheers,
S