Sindoor (Hindi-Urdu: सिन्दूर or سندور) is a traditional red or orange-red colored cosmetic powder from the Indian subcontinent, usually worn by married women along the parting of their hair. Usage of sindoor denotes that a woman is married in many Hindu communities, and ceasing to wear it usually implies widowhood. The main component of traditional sindoor is usually vermilion. Sindoor is traditionally applied at the beginning or completely along the parting-line of a woman’s hair (also called ''mang'') or as a dot on the forehead. Sindoor is the mark of a married woman in Hinduism. Single women wear the dot in different colors ("bindi" in Hindi) but do not apply sindoor in their ''mang''. Hindu widows do not wear the sindoor, signifying that their husband is no longer alive. A version used in Hindu rituals or puja is known as Kumkum. This also lends itself to the name of a wedding ritual in some Hindu communities, known as 'Haldi-Kumkum'. The sindoor is first applied to the woman by her husband on the day of her wedding. After this time she must apply this every day herself in the parting of her hairline.

The wiping off of the sindoor is very significant for a widow. There are many rituals associated with this practice. The most common being the mother-law or older sister-law wiping off the sindoor when the woman becomes a widow. The widow will break her bangles and remove her bindi as well. Many Hindu women will also remove their nose ring and toe rings as well. The parting of hair is symbolic of river of red blood full of life. When the sindoor is removed then the river becomes barren, dry and empty. This custom is prevalent in rural areas and is followed by all castes and social ranks. The red sindoor is significant for the married woman as she full of colour, when she becomes a widow she adopts the white dress and removes all colour from her face including the bright red sindoor.

Methods and styles of applying the sindoor vary from personal choice to regional customs. many new brides will fill the whole hair line with sindoor, while other married women may just apply a red dot at the end of the hair line and forehead. Recently a triangle shape on the forehead pointing to the nose has beome popular added with a diamond bindi for fashion is being worn by younger women.

Hinduism

After widow the wife becomes vidvah and removes the sindoor. In Hindu culture, the tradition of wearing ''Sindoor'' or vermillion is thought to have been prevalent for more than 5,000 years. Female figurines excavated at Mehrgarh, Baluchistan seem to imply application of sindoor to the partition of women's hair in Harappa culture. According to the Legends, Radha the consort of Lord Krishna turned the kumkum into a flame- like design on her forehead. In the famous epic Mahabharata, Draupadi the wife of the Pandavas wipes off her sindoor in disgust and despair at the happenings in Hastinapur. Use of Sindoor is very widely mentioned in The Puranas, Lalitha Sahasranama and Soundarya Lahari.

Jain women also apply the sindoor mostly in the cities. Jain nuns are forbidden to apply this in their hair line or foreheads.

Sindoor expresses a woman's desire for a long life for her husband. A woman's initial experience with the sindoor is during her marriage ceremonies. The display of the sindoor is also considered very important to indicate the married statues of the bride whereas in several local cultures, sindoor is applied on their hair partings by unmarried women.

Adi Sankaracharya writes in Soundarya Lahari

Tanothu kshemam nas tava vadhana-saundarya lahari. Parivaha-sthrotah-saraniriva seemantha-saranih. Vahanti sinduram prabala-kabari-bhara-thimira-. Dvisham brindair bandi-krtham iva navin'arka kiranam

(Oh mother, let the line parting thine hairs, Which looks like a canal, Through which the rushing waves of your beauty ebbs, And which on both sides imprisons, Your Vermillion , which is like a rising sun, By using your hair which is dark like, The platoon of soldiers of the enemy, Protect us and give us peace)

Application of sindoor is essentially a Hindu tradition. In the 19th century, Sufi leader Sharafuddin Maneri encouraged Muslim women to apply sindoor in Bangladesh was severely condemned by reformist movements.

In popular culture

There are many Indian movies and dramas involving sindoor — ''Sindoor Tere Naam Ka'' and the movie ''Sindoor'' released in 1987 — with their themes revolving around the ritual's significance.

Composition and toxicity concerns

Modern sindoor mainly uses vermilion, which is an orange-red pigment. Vermilion is the purified and powdered form of cinnabar, which is the chief form in which mercury sulfide naturally occurs. As with other compounds of mercury, sindoor is toxic and must be handled carefully. Sometimes, red lead (lead tetroxide, also known as minium) is also added to sindoor. Red lead is also toxic and a known carcinogen for laboratory animals, though its carcinogenicity to humans has not been established. Traditional sindoor was made with turmeric and alum or lime, or from other herbal ingredients. Unlike red lead and vermilion, these are not poisonous. In early 2008, allegations of high lead content led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recall batches of Sindoor from several manufacturers.

See also

Bindi

Tilaka

References

Category:Cosmetics Category:Hairdressing Category:Marriage Category:Hindu traditions Category:Hindu marriage

bn:সিঁদুর pnb:سندوری pl:Sindur ru:Синдур ta:குங்குமம்

Coordinates	41°52′55″N87°37′40″N
name	Neelam
birth name	Neelam Kothari
othername	Sangeeta
birth date	March 03, 1968
birth place	Hong Kong
yearsactive	1984–2001 (retired as an actress)
spouse	Rishi Sethia (divorced)Samir Soni (2011–present)
occupation	Actress, Jewellery Designer
residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India }}

Neelam Kothari () (born 3 March 1968) is a former Indian actress and an established jewellery designer.

Film career

After her early childhood in Hong Kong, her family moved to Bangkok and Neelam was holidaying in Mumbai and was approached by Ramesh Behl. She decided to give it a shot and did ''Jawaani'' in 1984 alongside Karan Shah (Tina Munim's nephew), but the film became a flop. She soldiered on ahead and became famous in 1986 in the film ''Ilzaam'' opposite another debutante Govinda. She went on to make a regular pairing with Govinda in movies such as ''Love 86'' (1986), ''Khudgarz'' (1987), ''Hatya'' (1988), ''Taaqatwar'' (1989) and ''Do Qaidi'' (1989). She also Starred in the 1987 Hit film, ''Aag Hi Aag'' opposite Dharmendra and Chunkey Pandey and directed by Shibu Mitra.

Since then she made many other movies in the late 1980s and early 1990s met with mixed success including Ek Ladka Ek Ladki starring opposite Salman Khan. She is also noted for her appearance in the 1998 movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai where she appeared as herself in the movie playing a VJ. In 1999 she appeared in the multi-starrer family film ''Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United''.

Her last release was ''Kasam'' in 2001.

Jewellery designing

Even while pursuing her career in acting, she was into jewellery designing and was involved in the family business. She did a formal course in Mumbai and after leaving films in 1999, she started her out commercially on her own under the name of Neelam Jewels. She opened her showroom in Mumbai in 2004.

Personal life

She married actor Samir Soni on 24 January 2011.

Filmography

! Year !! Film !! Role !! Notes
2001	''Kasam''
1999	''Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United''	Sangeeta
1998	''Kuch Kuch Hota Hai''	Herself VJ Neelam [The Neelam Show]
1997	''Mohabbat Aur Jung''
	''Ek Tha Raja''	Shilpa
	Jyoti
	''Santaan''	Asha
''Antim Nyay''	Rekha
		Sapna
''Ek Ladka Ek Ladki''	Renu/Rani
''Khule-Aam''	Priya
''Sahebzaade''	Chinar
''Laatsaab''	Anju/Mona
	''Kasak''	Divya
''Ranbhoomi''	Neelam
''Indrajeet''	Neelam
''Afsana Pyaar Ka''	Nikita
	''Vishnu Devaa''
''Shankara''	Seema
''Doodh Ka Karz''	Reshma
''Chor Pe Mor''	Ritu
''Amiri Garibi''	Jyoti
''Agneepath''	Siksha Chavan
''Zakhm''	Aarti
''Biloo Badshah''	Jyoti
''Farz Ki jung''	kavita
''Dost Garibon Ka''	Rekha
''Gharana''	Lalita
	''Do Qaidi''	Neelu
''Ghar Ka Chirag''	kiran
''Hum Bhi Insaan hain''	Rekha
''Mitti Aur Sona''	Anupama
	''Taaqatwar''	Bijli
''Hatya''	Sapna
''Waqt Ki Awaz''	Dancer, Singer
''Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam''	Jaya
''Khatron ki Khiladi''	Sunita
''Paap Ki Duniya''	Aarti
''Sindoor''	Lalita
	''Aag Hi Aag''	Aarti
''Khudgarz''	Jyoti
	''Ilzaam''	Aarti
''Andaz Pyar Ka''
''Love 86''	Esha
1984	''Jawani''	Sanam

References

External links

Category:1968 births Category:Living people Category:Indian actors Category:Indian film actors Category:Indian Hindus Category:Hindi film actors Category:People from Mumbai Category:Indian jewelry designers

ml:നീലം കോതാരി

Coordinates	41°52′55″N87°37′40″N
name	Shashi Kapoor
birthname	Balbir-Raj Prithviraj Kapoor
birth date	March 18, 1938
birth place	Calcutta, West Bengal, British India
years active	1942–1999 (retired)
children	Kunal Kapoor,Sanjana Kapoor,Karan Kapoor
spouse	Jennifer Kendal (1958–1984) ''(died of cancer)''
occupation	Actor, Director, Producer
other names	Balbir Shashi Balbir Raj Shasha ''(used by his brother, Shammi Kapoor)'' Shashi Baba }}

Shashi Kapoor (), born Balbir-Raj Prithviraj Kapoor on 18 March 1938 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), is an award-winning Indian film actor and film producer. He has also been film director and assistant director in Hindi Films. He is a member of the Kapoor family, a film dynasty in India's Bollywood cinema. He is the younger brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, the son of Prithviraj Kapoor, the widower of Jennifer Kendal, and the father of Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, and Sanjana Kapoor. He is remembered for many hit Hindi films like ''Jab Jab Phool Khile'', ''Kanyadaan'', Pyar Ka Mausam , ''Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati '', ''Haseena Maan Jayegi'', Sharmeelee, ''Aa Gale Lag Jaa'', Fakira, Phaansi, Chor Machaye Shor, Mukti, ''Satyam Shivam Sundaram'', Heeralal Pannalal , ''Junoon'', Swayamvar and many such films, including ones he starred in with Pran like Chori Mera Kaam, Phaansi, Shankar Dada, Chakkar Pe Chakkar and with Amitabh Bachchan, such as ''Deewar'', ''Namak Halaal''. He has also played leading roles in a number of British films, including several Merchant Ivory productions such as ''Shakespeare-Wallah'', Heat and Dust etc. In 2011, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

Career

Early Career(1960-1973)

Shashi Kapoor started acting in films as a child in the early 1940s appearing in several mythological films. His best known performances were in ''Aag'' (1948) and ''Awaara'' (1951) where he played the younger version of the characters played by his older brother Raj Kapoor. Right from the age of four, Shashi had started acting in his plays directed and produced by his dad Prithviraj Kapoor, while travelling with Prithvi Theatres. He was acting in both, the plays, as well as the films, where he had small roles to play.He got opportunity to work as assistant director in films with his brother Raj Kapoor as the lead hero like ''Dulha Dulhan'', ''Shriman Satyawadi''

He made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 Yash Chopra film ''Dharmputra'' and went on to appear in 168 films. He was a very popular debonair actor in Bollywood during the 1960s, 1970s and the mid 1980s. Shashi’s initial films like Dharmaputra directed by Yash Chopra and Prem Patra and Benazir both directed by Bimal Roy didn't do well. So he entered into English Movies. He was one of India's first actors to go international. But actress Nanda , who was already an established star with hits under her kit before Shashi tasted success, signed half a dozen Hindi films with him even when he wasn't doing well as she had faith in him that he could deliver good performances. Although their first film as a pair the critically acclaimed romantic film Char Diwari(1961) did not work, the rest were successful at the box office. In the 60’s Shashi had slew of solo hero box office romantic hit films opposite Nanda like Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath (1962), Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966), Raja Saab(1969) and Rootha Na Karo(1970). In the nineties in an interview, Shashi Kapoor declared that Nanda was his favorite heroine. Simlarly even Nanda declared in an interview that Shashi Kapoor was her favourite hero. But Shashi Kapoor again faced stiff competiton from Rajesh Khanna for acquiring romantic roles, due to which he had a weak period from 1969-1974 although he had hits with Sharmila, Rakhee, Asha Parekh and Nanda in this period.

Peak period (1974-1985)

Shashi Kapoor formed a hit on screen pair with Rakhee, Sharmila Tagore, Zeenat Aman in the late sixties till the mid eighties. Although he has commercial success even opposite heroines like Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, Rekha and others too , the pair Shashi-Rakhee, Shashi-Sharmila and Shashi-Zeenat was more popular among the audiences. With their first movie together ''Sharmelee'' becoming a blockbuster, Rakhee was paired frequently with him and they gave more hit films like ''Kabhi Kabhie'' (1976), ''Baseraa'' (1981), ''Zameen Aasmaan'' (1984) and ''Pighalta Aasman'' (1985) and the critically acclaimed ''Trishna'' (1978). The pair Sharmila- Shashi gave hits like ''Waqt'' (1965), ''Aamne Samne'' (1967), ''Suhana Safar'' (1970), ''Aa Gale Lag Jaa'' (1973), ''Paap Aur Punya'' (1974), ''Swati'' (1986) and the critically acclaimed ''New Delhi Times'' (1985), which fetched Shashi a National Film Award for Best Actor in 1986. With Zeenat Aman, he did Chori Mera Kaam(1975), Deewaangee (1976), ''Satyam Shivam Sundaram'', ''Roti Kapda Aur Makan'', ''Heeralal Pannalal'' (1978), ''Kranti''(1981), Pakhandi (1984) and Bhavani Junction(1985).

His most popular movies include ''Pyar Kiye Jaa ''(1966), ''Haseena Maan Jayegi''(1968) and Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati(1969) both with Babita, ''Kanyadan'',''Pyar Ka Mausam''(1969) both opposite Asha Parekh , ''Chor Machaye Shor'' opposite Mumtaz and ''Abhinetri'' (1970), ''Aap Beati''(1976), Apna Khoon , Trishul(1978) , Maan Gaye Ustaad(1981), Aandhi Toofan (1985) with Hema Malini, Bezubaan with Reena Roy, Chakkar Pe Chakkar(1976), Kali Ghata, Kalyug(1981), ''Vijeta''(1982), Pyaar Ki Jeet(1987) all with Rekha and Bepanaah(1985) with Rati Agnihotri. Other solo hits include Dil Ne Pukara(1967), Naina (1973), ''Phaansi'' (1978), ''Salaakhen''(1975), ''Fakira''(1976), Junoon''(1979) and multistarrer Neeyat (1980).He also worked with Rajesh Khanna in Prem Kahani.

In some of his successful films from the 1970s and in early 1980s he co-starred alongside Pran which include hits Biradari, Chori Mera Kaam, Phaansi, Shankar Dada, Chakkar Pe Chakkar, Rahu Ketu, Apna Khoon and Maan Gaye Ustaad and with Amitabh Bachchan in nine films of which ''Deewaar'' (1975), ''Kabhi Kabhie'' (1976), ''Trishul'' (1978), ''Kaala Patthar'' (1979), ''Suhaag'' (1979), ''Namak Halaal'' (1982) were commercially successful and Shaan(1980), Do Aur Do Panch and Akayla were flops at the box office. Shashi was regularly casted with Sanjeev Kumar too in films like ''Mukti ''(1977), Trishul, Muqaddar(1978), ''Swayamvar''(1980), Sawaal(1982), Pakhandi (1984).Shashi Kapoor, being a senior actor and more popular, was paid more than his male co stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Jeetendra, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor in those days with exceptions being Pran, Rajesh Khanna and Sanjeev Kumar who were paid higher than Shashi.Although he was in his forties in the late 70’s, being slim and still having charming looks he was casted with his nephews Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor and with younger heroines like Neetu Singh, Sulakshana Pandit, Bindiya Goswami, Rati Agnihotri and Poonam Dhillon till 1985.After loss of his wife in 1984, Shashi started slowly gaining weight and this resulted him in moving too character roles in films like Alag Alag, Ilzaam(1986), Sindoor (1987). From 1986 onwards, he became very obese and his body was in contrary to his slim and fit image from the early 60’s till 1985.

He was also known internationally for starring in many British and American films, notably Merchant Ivory productions run by Ismail Merchant, such as ‘’ Householder’’(1963) , ''Shakespeare Wallah'' (1965)( opposite his sister-in-law Felicity Kendal ), ''Bombay Talkie'' (1970) and ''Heat and Dust''(1982) in which he co-starred with his wife Jennifer Kendal, The Deceivers (1988) and Side Streets (1998). He also starred in other British and American films such as ''Pretty Polly''(A Matter Of Innocence)(1967) opposite Hayley Mills, ''Siddhartha'' (1972), and ''Sammy and Rosie Get Laid'' (1987).Ismail Merchant also directed Shashi Kapoor in "In Custody"(Muhafiz)(1994).

In 1980 he set up his production house, Film Valas, which produced critically acclaimed films such as ''Junoon'' (1978), ''Kalyug'' (1981), ''36 Chowringhee Lane'' (1981), ''Vijeta'' (1982) and ''Utsav'' (1984). In 1991 he produced and directed a fantasy film titled ''Ajooba'' which had his frequent co-star Amitabh Bachchan and nephew Rishi Kapoor in the lead but the film was a disaster at the box office.

He regarded Nanda, Pran, Ismail Merchant, Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar as his closest friends from the industry since the beginning of his career and maintained cordial relations with Amitabh, Yash Chopra, MGR, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi and most of his female and male co stars.

Later Career (1987-1999)

He accepted very few roles as a character actor in films since 1987. He acted with Pierce Brosnan in ''The Deceivers'' (1988). He also won a National (special jury) Award for his performance in ''Muhafiz (In Custody)''(1994). His last and most recent film appearances were in ''Jinnah'' (1998), a biopic of Mohammed Ali Jinnah in which he was the narrator and another Merchant Ivory production titled ''Side Streets'' (1998). He has now retired from the film industry and did not appear in any film since. He was seen in the limelight at the "Shashi Kapoor Film Festival" held in Muscat, Oman (Sept 2007). He has lost a considerable amount of weight and looked healthy. Recently, at the 55th Annual Filmfare Awards, Shashi Kapoor received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.

Personal life

Attended Don Bosco High School in Matunga, Bombay. In July 1958, he married the English actress Jennifer Kendal and they acted in a number of films together, most notably in the Merchant Ivory productions. Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal met in Calcutta in 1956 while working for their respective theater groups. Shashi Kapoor was both assistant stage manager as well as actor for his father’s theater group, Prithvi. Geoffery Kendal’s Shakespearana group was also present at the same time in Calcutta and Jennifer was Geoffery’s daughter. After their subsequent meeting, the couple fell in love and after facing initial opposition from Geoffery and support from sister in law Geeta Bali, they got married. He had three children with Kendal; Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor. Jennifer and Shashi Kapoor established Prithvi theater in November 5, 1978 in Mumbai. Kendal died of cancer in 1984. After his wife’s death, he became de-motivated and started to put on weight. He looked slim and fit in his films till 1985. The English actress Felicity Kendal is his sister-in-law. Shashi Kapoor’s children for a short while became film actors but their Caucasian looks and accented Hindi prevented them from having a successful career in Hindi films. His son Kunal is married to director Ramesh Sippy's daughter and Sanjana to wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar. Kunal Kapoor then moved onto ad film direction and established his production house Adfilm-Valas which is today extremely successful. Karan Kapoor became successful in modeling and later he settled down in London and pursued a career in photography. Sanjana Kapoor is in incharge of Prithvi Theater today.

Awards

Civilian award

2011 - Padma Bhushan by the Government of India

National Film Awards

Winner

1986 – National Film Award for Best Actor for ''New Delhi Times''

1994 – National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) for ''Muhafiz'' (1993)

1979 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi (as producer) for ''Junoon''

Filmfare Awards

Winner

2010 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominated

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

Other Awards

2011 – Mohammed Rafi Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

:* 2009 – The 7^th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) :* 2009 – The 11^th Mumbai Film Festival (MFF)

Filmography

Actor

Producer

{|class="wikitable" |+Filmography as Producer |- !Year !!Film !!Notes |- |1978 |''Junoon'' |Won 1979National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi |- |1980 |''Kalyug'' |- |1981 |''36 Chowringhee Lane'' |- |1982 |''Vijeta'' |- |1984 |''Utsav'' |- |1991 |''Ajooba'' |}

Assistant Director

{|class="wikitable" |+Assistant Direction Filmography |- !Year !!Film !!Notes |- |1991 |''Ajooba'' |- |1974 |''Manoranjan'' |- |1964 |''Dulha Dulhan'' |- |1960 |''Shriman Satyawadi'' |- |1959 |''Guest House'' |- |1958 |''Post Box 999'' |}

Director

{|class="wikitable" |+Direction Filmography |- !Year !!Film !!Notes |- |1991 |''Ajooba'' |- |1988 |''Vozvrashcheniye Bagdadskogo Vora'' |Russian film |- |}

Works

''Shashi Kapoor presents the Prithviwallahs'', by Shashi Kapoor, Deepa Gahlot, Prithvi Theatre (Bombay, India). Roli Books, 2004. ISBN 8174363483.

Further reading

''The Kapoors: the first family of Indian cinema'', by Madhu Jain. Penguin, Viking, 2005. ISBN 0670058378.

References

External links

Shashi Kapoor with Jennifer, an NDTV Movies image

Category:National Film Award winners Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:1938 births Category:Living people Category:Indian film actors Category:Indian film producers Category:Hindi-language film directors Category:Indian child actors Category:Indian actors Category:Hindi film actors Category:Indian Hindus Category:Punjabi people Category:People from Mumbai Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan

ar:شاشي كابور de:Shashi Kapoor dv:ޝަޝީ ކަޕޫރު es:Shashi Kapoor fr:Shashi Kapoor hi:शशि कपूर it:Shashi Kapoor he:שאשי קאפור kn:ಶಶಿ ಕಪೂರ್ ka:შაში კაპური ml:ശശി കപൂർ mr:शशी कपूर pl:Shashi Kapoor fi:Shashi Kapoor sv:Shashi Kapoor ta:சசி கபூர்

Coordinates	41°52′55″N87°37′40″N
name	Kavita Krishnamurthy Subramaniam
background	solo_singer
birth name	Sharada Krishnamurthy
alias	Kavita Krishnamoorthy, Kavita Krishnamurti
born	January 25, 1958
origin	Delhi, India
genre	Playback singing, fusion, pop
occupation	Playback singer, fusion artiste
years active	1980–present
notable instruments	}}

Kavita Subramaniam née Kavita Krishnamurthy (; ) is one of the most famous Indian film playback singers. She is classically trained and has sung a wide range of classical-based songs. In her career, she has worked with a variety of music composers, including R.D. Burman and A.R. Rahman. She is also the recipient of four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, including 3 consecutive awards in the period 1994-1996 and the prestigious Padmashri which she received in 2006.

Early life

Born Sharada Krishnamurthy in a Tamil Iyer family in New Delhi, India to T.S. Krishnamurthy, an employee of Education Ministry. She began her music training with her aunt, Mrs. Bhattacharya, who taught her Rabindra Sangeet. She began her formal training in Hindustani classical music under Balram Puri, a classical singer.

At the young age of eight, Kavita won a gold medal at a music competition. Subsequently, she kept winning many such gold medals as she kept participating in the Inter-Ministry Classical Competition in New Delhi in the mid 1960s.

Performing career

At the age of nine, she got an opportunity to record a Tagore song in Bengali with the legendary Lata Mangeshkar under the auspices of the music composer and singer Hemant Kumar. Although the young Sharada was aspiring to be working with Indian Foreign Services, Kavita moved to Bombay when she was just 14 to try her luck as a playback singer in the Hindi film industry. She is an alumnus of St. Xaviers' College, Bombay from where she did her BA Honors Economics. She was also very active in the St. Xaviers' Music Group during her college days. During the annual college festival (Malhar), she accidentally met Ranu Mukherjee, the daughter of Hemant Kumar. Ranu took the initiative of reintroducing Kavita to her father. He was impressed by her grounding in music, so he began using her as a singer during his live performances. In one such performance, playback singer Manna Dey spotted her and employed her to sing advertisement jingles. Through her aunt's strong contacts, she met Jaya Chakravarthy, the mother of actress Hema Malini, who later took the initiative of introducing Kavita to the music director Laxmikant (one half of the composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal) in late 1976.

Playback singing

Laxmikant gave her an option to work as a dubbing artiste or a career in playback singing later. Kavita chose the former and impressed Laxmikant with her extremely strong grasp of Hindustani classical music. Initially, she used to record songs and cut demos of songs intended for singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. In her struggling phase, she received the patronage of music composers Laxmikant—Pyarelal, who backed her so strongly that she was labelled as a "LP-campwalli" which gave many music directors an excuse to avoid working with her.

In 1980, she first sang the song, "Kaahe Ko Byaahi" in the film ''Maang Bharo Sajana'', which featured her singing in her own voice. Unfortunately, the song was dropped from the final cut of the film. In 1985, her career took off with her first major hit, "Tumse Milkar Na Jaane Kyon" from the Hindi film ''Pyaar Jhukta Nahin''. Post the success of the song, it opened up various opportunities beyond the Laxmikant-Pyarelal camp. However, "Hawa Hawaii" and "Karte Hain Hum Pyaar Mr. India Se", two popular songs from the equally popular movie ''Mr. India'' (1987), proved to be a turning point in her career. (The songs were composed by music composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the latter being a duet with Kishore Kumar and lip-synced on screen by actress Sridevi). Her collaboration with Laxmikant-Pyarelal produced several hits.

The 1990s thrust Kavita to being known as the undisputed leading female playback singer.. Her performance as a singer in the film ''1942: A Love Story'', composed by R.D. Burman won her a lot of popular acclaim. She went on to work with several music directors of Hindi films of the 1990s, such as Anand-Milind, A.R. Rahman, Ismail Darbar, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit, and Anu Malik. During her stint as a playback singer, she sang duets with the leading male singers of her times, from Kishore Kumar and Suresh Wadkar to Kumar Sanu, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Udit Narayan, and Sonu Nigam. Her female duets mostly have been with Alka Yagnik and Sadhana Sargam.

Post her marriage to violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam in Bangalore on 11 November 1999, Kavita got extremely selective and cut down on her film singing. She started expanding her artistic range to areas which were never explored. She was the main featured soloist in the ''Global Fusion'' album released by Warner Bros., featuring musicians from five continents. As she actively started exploring fusion music, Kavita travelled around the world including to the US, UK, Europe, Africa, Australia, the Far East, the Middle East, and South America. She performed in concert halls including Royal Albert Hall in London, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Madison Square Garden, The Lincoln Center in New York, the Zhongshan Music Hall in Beijing, The Esplanade in Singapore, The Putra Jaya World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, and Gewandhaus Leipzigm.

Although primarily a playback singer, Kavita has sung with orchestras as a soloist; she collaborated with Western artists from jazz, pop and classical fields. She has lent her voice for many ghazal and devotional music albums. Both as a fusion music singer and as a playback singer, Kavita has performed throughout India.

She became the screen voice of some of the famous bollywood actresses like Shabana Azmi, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala and Aishwarya Rai.

Pop and devotional singing

Due to her participation in fusion and pop music, Kavita has lent her voice for several pop and devotional albums. The most prominent ones being:

''Koi Akela Kahan''

''Meera Ka Ram''

''Mahalakshmi Stotram''

''Pop Time''

''Sai Ka Vardaan''

''Shagufthagi''

''Dil Ki Awaaz'' (2006)

''Athens''

''Asmita''

''Mahiya''

TV

Kavita Subramaniam has been making appearances in various music reality shows as a guest judge owing to her popularity as a playback singer. She is currently judging the show ''Idea: Bharat Ki Shaan''. This show airs on Doordarshan at prime time.

Personal life

Kavita Krishnamurthy married violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam in Bangalore on 11 November 1999. They have no children. Subramaniam has three children from his previous marriage, but Kavita treats them as her own children. Their daughter Seetha is a law graduate and is currently working on an English album. Narayanan, the middle one, is working to be a qualified doctor. The youngest, Ambi Subramaniam, is a featured soloist in the Bangalore-based band "Astral Symphony" and has recorded and given several concerts with his parents.

Kavita and her husband are now planning a music institute in Bangalore. The Institute would be named after her late father-in-law Lakshminarayana, who was also her husband's guru. The idea is to make it a global institute. The institute would teach both Indian and Western music. She wants dedicated students to learn from the works of Mozart so that they could collaborate with Western musicians who come to India for tours. The seeds have been sown with violin classes. She says that she is not going to be involved in too many classes. Her role in the institute would be to supervise the teaching process and conduct workshops on how to interpret a song. Her secret desire is to create the best music library that India has ever had, which includes, a vast variety of world music. Subramaniam has already collected a lot of material to which they want teachers, dedicated students and enthusiasts to have access.

Awards

Kavita Krishnamurty has received several awards and honours. She was the recipient of three consecutive Filmfare awards from 1995–1997.

Civilian Awards:

2005 - Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian honours

Filmfare Awards

2003 - Filmfare Best Female Playback Award(shared with Shreya Ghoshal) - ''Dola Re Dola'' (Devdas)

1997 - Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - ''Aaj Main Upar'' (Khamoshi: The Musical)

1996 - Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - ''Mera Piya Ghar Aaya'' (Yaraana)

1995 - Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - ''Pyaar Hua Chupke Se'' (1942: A Love Story)

Star Screen Awards

1997 - Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - ''Aaj Main Upar'' (Khamoshi: The Musical)

2000 - Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - ''Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'' (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam)

Zee Cine Awards

2003 - Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer (shared with Shreya Ghoshal) - ''Dola Re'' (Devdas)

2000 - Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - ''Nimbooda'' (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam)

IIFA Awards

2003 - IIFA Best Female Playback Award (shared with Shreya Ghoshal) - ''Dola Re'' (Devdas)

Other Awards

Yesudas Award (2008) by Swaralaya, for exceptional contribution to Indian music.

Kishore Kumar Journalists'/Critics' Award in Calcutta (2002)

Bollywood Award, held in New York (2002)

Bollywood Award, held in New York (2000)

References

External links

L. Subramaniam and Kavita S.

Artist: Kavita Krishnamurthy on Google Music

Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:Assamese playback singers Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Indian female singers Category:Indian film singers Category:Kollywood playback singers Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri Category:Kannada playback singers Category:Tamil singers Category:Marathi playback singers Category:Marathi-language singers Category:Tamil Brahmins

de:Kavita Krishnamurti mr:कविता कृष्णमूर्ती सुब्रमण्यम te:కవితా కృష్ణమూర్తి

Coordinates	41°52′55″N87°37′40″N
name	Kader Khan
birth name	Kader Khan
birth date	October 22, 1935
birth place	Pishin, Balochistan, British India now Pakistan
othername	Kadar Khan Prof. Kader Khan
yearsactive	1970-Present
website	}}

Kader Khan (born 22 October 1935) is an Indian film actor, comedian, script and dialogue writer. He graduated from Ismail Yusuf College affiliated to Mumbai University (then Bombay University).

Early life

Khan was born in Mumbai , Balochistan and was raised in Bombay by his pious father, he was originally a lecturer in M. H. Saboo Siddik Polytechnic and M. H. Saboo Siddik Technical High School, Mumbai. On the annual day function of the college, Khan took part in a play and it was acclaimed by all who were present. Dilip Kumar came to know about it, he called him and showed keenness in watching the play. Khan made special arrangement and acted the play for him and he was so impressed by his acting that he signed him for his next two films ''Sagina Mahato'' and ''Bairaag''

He has acted in over 300 films in the Hindi and Urdu language, and has written dialogues for over 100 Indian films, from the 1970s up to the turn of the 21st century. Manmohan Desai paid him a handsome amount of one lakh twenty one thousand for writing dialogues for the film ''Roti (1974 film)''. He is most popularly recognized for working with actor Jeetendra, Feroz Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda and in films by David Dhawan. He has also worked side by side with other comedians like Shakti Kapoor and Johnny Lever. He has played a large variety of parts in films like a supporting role of a father, uncle, brother, main villain or the side villain, guest actor and comedian.

He recently appeared in ''Mujhse Shaadi Karogi'' (2004), ''Lucky: No Time for Love'' (2006) and ''Family: Ties of Blood'' (2006). He had also starred in his own comedy television series titled ''Hasna Mat'', which aired on Star Plus.

There were rumours of him writing a sequel to ''Andaaz Apna Apna'', but when media asked him, he denied it saying "I have not taken any projects as writer, its just a rumor". He made a comeback on Indian television with a comedy series ''Hi Padosi..Kaun Hain Doshi'' on Sahara One.

Personal life

He lives in Mumbai, the home of the Indian film industry. His son Sarfaraz Khan has also acted in some films. He is an alumnus of Ismail Yusuf College, Mumbai. He was earlier (1970–75) teaching in M. H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering, Byculla, Mumbai as Professor of Civil Engineering.

Awards

He won the Filmfare Award for best comedian in 1991 for ''Baap Numberi Beta Dus Numberi'' and a Screen Award for best performance in a comic role in 1995 for ''Taqdeerwala''.

Khan was recognized by the AFMI (American Federation of Muslims from India) for his achievement and service to the Muslim community in India.

Selected filmography

David Dhawan Next (2012)

Don't Worry (2009) (in production)

Deshdrohi (2008) .... Abdul - Fruit vendor

Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega (2007) .... Kiran's dad

Undertrial (2007) .... Advocate Ravi Vishnoi

Umar (2006) .... Iqbal Khan

Jigyaasa (2006) .... Nand Kishore - Nanduji

Family: Ties of Blood (2006) .... Kalim Khan

Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai (2005) .... Vikram Malhotra

Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen (2005) .... Goverdhan

Lucky: No Time for Love (2005) .... Doctor

Dhadkanein (2005)

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) .... Mr. Duggal

Bazaar: Market of Love, Lust and Desire (2004)

Suno Sasurjee (2004) .... Raj K. Saxena

Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya (2004) .... Kuldeep Khanna

Fun2shh... Dudes in the 10th Century (2003) .... Bhaleram/Goatherd

Parwana (2003) .... Ismailbhai Muskurahat

Basti (2003) .... Commentator

Chalo Ishq Ladaaye (2002) .... Kokibhai

Jeena Sirf Merre Liye (2002) .... Mahendra Malhotra

Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (2002) .... Murari

Akhiyon Se Goli Maare (2002) (as Kadar Khan) .... Akhendra "Topichand" Bhangare

Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002) .... Purshottam Mittal

Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002) (as Kadar Khan) .... Ghuman Singh Rathod

Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002) .... Babban Miyan

Sindoor Ki Saugandh (2002) .... Majid Shola/Inspector Asli Tandoor Khan

Dial 100 (2001) .... Kamal Bihari

Galiyon Ka Badshah (2001)

Ittefaq (2001) .... Seth. Gujjumal Hiranandani

Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000) .... Mr. Oberoi (Boss)

Dhadkan (2000) .... Singer (Special Appearance)

Kunwara (2000) .... Vishwanath Pratap Singh

Joru Ka Ghulam (2000) .... Dyaneshwarprasad Pitamber

Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) .... Mr. Oberoi (special appearance)

Billa No. 786 (2000)

Krodh (2000) .... Balwant

Jaanwar (1999) .... Singer on Square at Temple

Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) .... Dr. Dastoor

Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) .... Amirchand

Rajaji (1999) .... Shivnath

Sooryavansham (1999) .... Major Ranjit Singh

Anari No. 1 (1999) (as Kadar Khan) .... K.K.

Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) .... Sader

Nyaydaata (1999) .... Yaadram

Sirf Tum (1999) .... Phone booth operator

Kudrat (1998) .... Vijay's grandpa

Hero Hindustani (1998) .... Topi

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) (uncredited) .... Waiter/Kadar Bhai

Dulhe Raja (1998) .... K.K. Singhania

Gharwali Baharwali (1998) .... Hiralal Verma

Aunty No. 1 (1998) .... Rai Bahadur Behl

Jaane Jigar (1998) .... Ghanshyam

Mere Do Anmol Ratan (1998) .... Major Bhagawat Singh

Phool Bane Patthar (1998) .... Choudhry Bhavani Singh/Dadhu

Tirchhi Topiwale (1998) .... Sanam's dad

Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi (1997) .... Badri Prasad

Deewana Mastana (1997) (as Kadar Khan) .... Marriage Registrar

Ek Phool Teen Kante (1997)

Tarazu (1997) .... Khan Hindustani

Zameer: The Awakening of a Soul (1997) .... Astrologer Ram Prasad

Hero No. 1 (1997) .... Dhanraj Malhotra

Judaai (1997) .... Kaajal's Father

Banarasi Babu (1997) .... Chaubey

Bhai (1997) .... Inspector Lalit Kapoor

Bhoot Bhungla (1997) .... Khan Baba

Daadagiri (1997) .... Dinanath

Hamesha (1997) .... Raju's chacha

Judwaa (1997) .... Sharma

Naseeb (1997) .... Master Chaban

Sanam (1997) .... Khan Bahadur

Shapath (1997) .... Chaurasia

Chhote Sarkar (1996) .... Commissioner Jagmohan

Sapoot (1996) .... Singhania

Rangbaaz (1996)

Maahir (1996) .... Jailor

Aatank (1996) .... D'Costa

Bhishma (1996) .... Jaunpuri

Ek Tha Raja (1996) (as Kadar Khan) .... Lalchand Dogra

Saajan Chale Sasural (1996) .... Khurana (Divya's father)

Diya Aur Toofan (1995) .... Gyaneshwar

Yaraana (1995) (as Kadar Khan) .... Rai Saheb

Veer (1995) .... Agarwal/Advocate Vishwanath

Hulchul (1995) .... Chachaji

Coolie No. 1 (1995) .... Choudhry Hoshiarchand Shikarpuri Bakulwala

Taaqat (1995) (as Kadar Khan) .... Master Dinanath

Anokha Andaaz (1995)

Taqdeerwala (1995) (as Kadar Khan) .... Yamraaj

The Don (1995) .... Chaprasi Rajaram/Principal Amarnath/Prof. Raghav

Maidan-E-Jung (1995) .... Maganlal

Jallaad (1995) .... K.K.

Oh Darling Yeh Hai India (1995) .... Bidder

Surakshaa (1995) .... Manager

Vartmaan (1995)

Mr. Azaad (1994) (as Kadar Khan) .... Hiravat Mishra

Ghar Ki Izzat (1994) .... Ram

Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) (as Kadar Khan) .... DCP/Constable Ramlal

Aag (1994) .... Tolaram

Pehla Pehla Pyar (1994) .... Dharam Pal/Streetside Vendor/Grocer/Nawab/Head Gypsy

Saajan Ka Ghar (1994) .... Uncle

Prem Shakti (1994) .... Romeo

Raja Babu (1994) (as Kadar Khan) .... Kishan Singh

Aatish: Feel the Fire (1994) (as Kadar Khan) .... Kadar bhai

Andaz (1994) .... Principal

Chhoti Bahoo (1994) .... Durga's husband

Eena Meena Deeka (1994) .... Dabba

Insaaf Apne Lahoo Se (1994) .... Hardwarilal

Khuddar (1994) .... Kanhaiyalal

Mohabbat Ki Arzoo (1994) .... Dr. Anand

Shatranj (1993) .... Dharamraj D. Verma

Aakhri Chetawani (1993)

Dhanwaan (1993) .... Jagmohan Chopra

Aulad Ke Dushman (1993) .... Ahuja (College Vice-Principal)

Dil Tera Aashiq (1993) .... Naseeb Kumar

Hum Hain Kamaal Ke (1993) .... Pitamber

Dil Hai Betaab (1993) .... Parshuram

Rang (1993) .... Madhav Singh

Kayda Kanoon (1993) .... Mirza Lucknowi

Aankhen (1993) .... Hasmukh Rai

Aashik Aawara (1993) .... Jaggu

Badi Bahen (1993) .... Ram

Dosti Ki Saugandh (1993)

Gurudev (1993) (as Kadar Khan) .... Inspector Khan

Jeevan Ki Shatranj (1993) .... Havaldar No.100

Meharbaan (1993)

Zakhmo Ka Hisaab (1993) .... Gyani

Angaar (1992) .... Jagangir Khan

Humshakal (1992) .... Devi Dutt

Bol Radha Bol (1992) .... Jugnu

Ganga Bani Shola (1992)

Honeymoon (1992) .... Seth. Dhaniram

Tyagi (1992) .... Choudhry Gangaprasad Dayal

Basanti Tangewali (1992)

Parasmani (1992) .... Daku Ibrahim Khan/Baba Malang

Suryavanshi (1992) .... Baba

Mera Dil Tere Liye (1992) .... Principal Sinha

Daulat Ki Jung (1992) .... K.K. Topji/Sher Khan

Dil Hi To Hai (1992) .... Thakur Karan Singh

Insaaf Ki Devi (1992) .... Advocate Kanoonilal

Maa (1992/I) .... Ravi Kant

Nagin Aur Lootere (1992) .... Thief

Umar Pachpan Ki Dil Bachpan Ka (1992) .... Dhaniram/Maniram

Vansh (1992) .... Hawaldar Imaandaar

Saajan (1991) .... Rajiv Verma

Indrajeet (1991) .... Minister (Mantri) Sadachari

Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan (1991) .... Jagatram

Nachnewala Gaanewale (1991)

Do Matwale (1991) (as Kadar Khan) .... Gorakh Nath

Karz Chukana Hai (1991) .... Atmaram

Khoon Ka Karz (1991) .... Champaklal/Hitler Champaklal/Ravana Champaklal

Hum (1991) (as Kadar Khan) .... General Rana Pratap Singh/Chittor

Bapp Numbri Beta Dus Numbri (1990) ..... Raman

Pyar Ka Devta (1990) .... Pritam

Jaise Karne Waise Bharni (1989) .... Gangaram Verma

Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988) .... Kailash Bhandari

Mera Jawab (1985) .... Inspector Ajay

Karate (1983 film) (1983)....

Coolie (1983) .... Zafar Khan

Qurbani (1980) .... Joe

''Mukti'' (1977) -- Hussain (Dialogues too)

Bairaag (1976) ... Superintendent of Police

References

External links

Kader Khan made Honorary Citizen of Houston

Category:1937 births Category:Living people Category:Indian actors Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Indian Muslims Category:Indian comedians Category:Pashtun people Category:People from Quetta Category:Osmania University alumni

fr:Kader Khan pl:Kader Khan