Akhtar ul Iman (Urdu: اختر الایمان )
Born	Akhtar November 12, 1915 Quila, Dist. Garhwal, Uttarkhand
Died	09 March 1996 Mumbai
Cause of death	Heart failure
Resting place	Bandra Qabristan, Mumbai Bandra East
Residence	A-3 Ravi,Darshan,Carter,Road Bandra, Mumbai 400050
Nationality	Indian
Education	Masters in Urdu Literature
Alma mater	Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University
Occupation	poet, screenwriter
Employer	Freelance and B.R. Films assigned cine writer (1960-1980)
Known for	Urdu Nazm, poet and precursor of modern progressive Urdu poetry, cine writer and screen playwright
Home town	Najibabad,Bijnore
Religion	Islam
Spouse	Sultana Iman
Children	a son and three daughters: Ramish Iman, Shehla Khan, Asma Husain, and Rakhshinda Khan
Relatives	Sons-in law: Amjad Khan, Fahim Khan, Husain Ehtisham
Signature

Akhtar ul Iman (1915–1996) was a noted Urdu poet and screenwriter in Hindi cinema, who had major influence on modern Urdu nazm.^[1][2]

He won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue in 1963 for Dharmputra and 1966 for Waqt. He was awarded the 1962 Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu, for his Poetry Collection, Yadein (Memories), by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters.^[3]

Early life and education[link]

Born in Qila, Najibabad, in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh in 1915.

His initial education happened at Bijnor, where he came in contact with Khurshid ul Islam, poet and scholar, who taught at Aligarh Muslim University, and developed a long association with Ralph Russell), he graduated from the Anglo-Arabic College (Zakir Husain College), Delhi.^[4]

Career[link]

After graduating from Delhi University, he worked in Civil Supplies Department and All India Radio at Delhi. From 1945 after he moved to Mumbai (then Bombay), he started working for Hindi cinema as a script writer.

His poetry is highly individualistic and innovative. He stands apart from other poets of his time in his themes, style, language. He preferred nazm over more popular ghazal as a mean of poetic expression. Akhtar ul Iman's language is "coarse and unpoetic". He uses 'coarse" and mundane poetic expressions to make his message effective and realistic.^[5] His poetry strives to find out a balance between the conflicting or extreme choices faced by man. He chose free verse for his nazms to make his conversational style of expression more realistic.

He was strongly influenced by Meeraji and N. M. Rashid and is more closer and similar to them than other poets of his era. He was close friend of Meeraji and Meeraji lived with him till his death. They together formed Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Adab (Circle of friends of Poetry). Poets who belong to this circle wrote independent of the ideology and standards set by Progressive Writers' Movement, although they were few in numbers but contributed significantly and had major influence on later generations of poets. It was also a starting point of Modernisnm in Urdu.

He left behind a substantial legacy for new generation of poetss to follow and exploring new trends and themes in modern Urdu poetry giving a new direction to the modern and contemporary Urdu nazm with emphasis on philosophical humanism.^[6]

He was the father-in-law of actor Amjad Khan.

Works[link]

Books[link]

• Iss Aabad Kharabe Mein (Urdu)-published by Urdu Academy, Delhi, India. Autobiography of a famous Urdu writer of India.

Poetry[link]

He has about seven collections of poetry to his credit.

• Tareek Sayyara (1943)
• Gardyab(1946)
• Aabjoo (1959)
• Yaden (1961)
• Bint-e-Lamhaat (1969)
• Naya Ahang (1977)
• Sar-o-Samaan (1983)

Play

Sabrang (1948)- a one verse play.

Translation and compilation by others[link]

• Zamistan Sard Mehrika (Urdu)- Last Poetic Collection of an unforgettable Urdu poet. Compiled and edited by Sultana Iman and Bedar Bakht.
• Query of the Road - Selected Poems of Akhtar-ul-Iman with Extensive Commentary by Baidar Bakht

Indian cinema[link]

His contribution to Hindi cinema is quite significant keeping in view the number of landmark and hit movies he has contributed to as a script writer (dialogue, story and screenplay). His first landmark movie was Kanoon, which became a big hit of its time. Kanoon became a hit despite the fact that it had no songs or comedy sequences, this achievement remains unparalleled in Hindi cinema. His other important movies where he contributed as a script writer are Dharmputra (1961), for which he received filmfare award, Gumrah, Waqt, Patther ke Sanam, Daagh.

He wrote few lyrics for Hindi cinema, and the one movie which has his lyrics written by him is Bikhare Moti.

Awards[link]

Literary awards

• 1962: Sahitya Akademi Award - Urdu: Yadein (Poetry)
• Iqbal Samman

and Numerous other literary awards.

• Filmfare Award
  • 1963: Best Dialogue: Dharmputra^[7]
  • 1966: Best Dialogue: Waqt

Filmography[link]

• Chor Police (1983) - writer
• Lahu Pukarega (1980) - director
• Do Musafir (1978) - writer
• Chandi Sona (1977) - writer
• Zameer (1975) - writer
• 36 Ghante (1974) - writer
• Roti (1974) - writer
• Naya Nasha (1973) - writer
• Bada Kabutar (1973) - writer
• Daag (1973) - writer
• Dhund (1973) - writer
• Joshila (1973) - writer
• Kunwara Badan (1973) - writer
• Dastaan (1972) - writer
• Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972) - writer
• Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) - writer
• Chirag (1969) - writer
• Ittefaq (1969) - writer
• Aadmi (1968) - writer
• Hamraaz (1967) - writer
• Patthar Ke Sanam (1967) - writer
• Gaban (1966) - writer
• Mera Saaya (1966) - writer
• Phool Aur Patthar (1966) - writer
• Bhoot Bungla (1965) - writer
• Waqt (1965) - writer
• Shabnam (1964) - writer
• Yaadein (1964) - writer
• Aaj Aur Kal (1963) - writer
• Akeli Mat Jaiyo (1963) - writer
• Gumrah (1963) - writer
• Neeli Aankhen (1962) - writer
• Dharmputra (1961) - writer
• Flat No. 9 (1961) - writer
• Barood (1960) - writer
• Kalpana (1960) - writer
• Kanoon (1960) - writer
• Nirdosh (1950) - writer
• Actress (1948) - writer
• Jharna (1948) - writer

Further reading[link]

• Akhtar Ul Iman by Ghulam Rizvi 'gardish'. Sahitya Akademi Publications. ISBN 81-260-0920-9.

References[link]

1. ^ Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 1 By various pages 120-121
2. ^ Akhtar ul-Iman An anthology of modern Urdu poetry, by Rafey Habib. Publisher: Modern Language Association (MLA), 2003. ISBN 0-87352-797-6. p. 109.
3. ^ Sahitya Akademi Award - Urdu Sahitya Akademi Award Official listings.
4. ^ Alumni Zakir Husain College Official website.
5. ^ Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology By K. M. George, various, Sahitya Akademi
6. ^ Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 1
7. ^ Awards IMDB

External links[link]

• Akhtar ul Iman at the Internet Movie Database
• Verses of Akhtarul Iman
• http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00urduhindilinks/baidarbakht/mod06akhtar.pdf
• http://oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Akhtar-Ul-Iman
• http://urdulife.com/mushaira/poet.cgi?ara_akhtar_ul_iman (poetry recitation in his own voice)
• http://www.chakpak.com/celebrity/akhtar-ul-iman/filmography/9950
• http://www.hindimovie.com/people/writers/Akhtar-ul-iman/filmography
• http://movies.obuzz.com/celebrities/akhtaruliman/
• http://www.geocities.com/kavitayan/akhtar.html (Archived 2009-10-24) (English translation of four poems)
• http://books.google.com/books?id=ObFCT5_taSgC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=akhtar+ul+iman&source=web&ots=mUzV1uyQv9&sig=VdLt-QEZp2L_f35rOkLumnvFXVs#PPA120,M1
• [1] Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology By K. M. George, Sahitya Akademi
• http://www.urduzoom.com/categories.php?catid=31

Look up iman in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Iman, also spelled Imaan or Eman, may refer to:

Islam

• Iman (concept), Islamic term

Given name:

• Chanel Iman (born 1990), American fashion model
• Iman (model) (born 1955), Somali supermodel
• Iman Ali (born 1980), Pakistan-based model-turned-actress
• Iman Darweesh Al Hams (1991–2004), Palestinian schoolgirl killed in the Gaza Strip
• Iman Xin Chemjong (1904–1975), Limbu historian
• Imaan Hadchiti, Lebanese-Australian comedian and actor
• Princess Iman bint Al Abdullah (born 1996), Jordanian royal, daughter and second child of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania
• Princess Iman bint Al Hussein (born 1983), Jordanian royal, daughter of King Hussein and Queen Noor
• Princess Iman Pahlavi, Iranian royal, daughter of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and Yasmine Pahlavi

Organizations:

• Inner-City Muslim Action Network

Titles

• Iman (comics) a fictional superhero
• I-Man, a 1986 science fiction television movie

Other

• Bolshaya Ussurka River, formerly named Iman River, a tributary of the Ussuri River in Russia's Primorsky Krai
• Dalnerechensk, formerly named Iman, a city in Russia's Primorsky Krai
• Eman (town) (峨蔓镇), town in Danzhou, Hainan, China
• Iman, vessel oft the Russian Black Sea fleet, a tanker with the IMO ship identification number 6617427 and a Deadweight tonnage of 4471 tonnes.

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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2012)

Raaj Kumar, born Kulbushan Pandit (8 October 1926 – 3 July 1996), was an Hindi film actor. Raaj Kumar started out as sub-inspector of Mumbai police in the late 1940s before he turned to acting with the 1952 film Rangili^[1]. He appeared in the Oscar-nominated 1957 film Mother India and went onto star in over 70 Hindi films in a career that spanned over four decades.

Personal life[link]

Raaj Kumar was born as Kulbhushan Pandit in Loralai, Balochistan now in Pakistan,^[2] into a Kashmiri Pandit family. In the late 1940s he moved to Mumbai, India where he became Sub-inspector of the Mumbai police. He married Gayatri in the 1960s with whom he had three children, two sons named Puru Raajkumar (a Bollywood actor), Panini Raajkumar and a daughter named Vastavikta Raajkumar, who made her screen debut in 2006 film Eight Shani^[3].

Career[link]

Raaj Kumar started his career as an Inspector at Mahim police station, Mumbai. It is said that he never saluted his senior officers^[4]. Later he turned to movies.

Raaj Kumar was noticed in his earlier films like Rangeeli, Aabshar, Ghamand, and Lakhon Mein Ek, but it was as Prince Naushazad in Sohrab Modi’s Naushervan-e-Adil that he became famous. In his brief role as the husband of Nargis in Mother India, he achieved prominence. He followed this with the unglamorous role of a mill worker in Paigham. He was cast with Sunil Dutt, Shashi Kapoor and Balraj Sahni in B.R. Chopra’s Waqt. In Sridhar’s Dil Ek Mandir, Raaj Kumar essayed the role of a cancer patient.

He also won the Filmfare Award in Best supporting actor category for movies Dil Ek Mandir and Waqt.

From his screen debut in Rangeeli to God & Gun, his was a fruitful journey of memorable characters in 60-odd films^[5].

Death[link]

He died at the age of 69 on July 3, 1996 of throat cancer. He died a few months before his son Puru Raajkumar made his debut in Bal Brahmachari, which was released later that year. It was dedicated to his memory.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Raaj Kumar at the Internet Movie Database

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Mala Sinha (Hindi: माला सिन्हा) (born 11 November 1936) is an Indian actress who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Recognised for her talent and beauty, she went on to become a popular leading actress in Hindi films from the early 1950s until the late 1970s. Sinha has starred in over a hundred film productions: popular ones include Pyaasa (1957), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah (1963), Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965) and Aankhen (1968).^[1]

Early life[link]

Sinha was born to Albert Sinha, in a Indian-Nepali Christian family in Kashmir in India. They named her Alda. Her friends at school used to tease her by calling her Dalda (a brand of vegetable oil), so she changed her name to Mala.^[2] In her childhood she learnt dancing and singing.

She has never done playback singing in films but has been a singer and has done stage shows in many languages from 1947 to 1975.

Career[link]

Sinha started her career as child artist in Bengali films Jai Vaishno Devi followed by Shri Krishan Leela, Jog Biyog and Dhooli. Noted Bengali director Ardhendu Bose saw her acting in a school play and took permission from her father to cast her as a heroine in his film Roshanara (1952), her cinematic debut.

After acting in a couple of films in Calcutta, Mala had to go to Bombay for a Bengali film. There she met Geeta Bali, a noted Bollywood actress, who was charmed by her and introduced her to film director Kidar Sharma. It was Sharma who cast her as a heroine in his Rangeen Ratein. Her first Hindi film was Badshah opposite Pradeep Kumar, then came Ekadashi, a mythological film. Both failed, but her lead role in Kishore Sahu's Hamlet, paired opposite Pradeep Kumar, fetched her rave reviews in spite of it failing at the box office.^[3] Films like Lai Batti (ac­tor Balraj Sahni’s only directorial venture), Nausherwan-E-Adil where she starred as the fair maiden Marcia in Sohrab Modi’s romance about forbidden love and Phir Subah Hogi, which was direc­tor Ramesh Saigal’s adapta­tion of Dosteovsky’s Crime and Punishment established Mala Sinha's reputation as a versatile actress who took the maximum career risks by accepting unconventional roles.

Mala was a singer of some repute and used to sing for All India Radio; she was not allowed to sing playback (even for herself) in the movies with the lone exception being 1972's Lalkar.^[4] In the 1950s, she had string of hits opposite Pradeep Kumar like Fashion (1957), Detective (1958), Duniya Na Mane (1959) though their first two ventures had failed. The films she did with Pradeep Kumar were men-oriented. In 1957, noted Bollywood actor and film director Guru Dutt (the husband of Geeta Dutt) cast Mala in his film Pyaasa (1957) in a role originally intended for Madhubala. Mala gave a memorable performance as the relatively unsympa­thetic part of an ambitious woman who chooses to marry a rich man (played by actor Rehman) and have a loveless marriage rather than a poor, unsuccessful poet and her impoverished lover (played by Guru Dutt) whom she ditches. Pyaasa remains to this day a classic in the history of Indian cinema and a turning point for Sinha.

After Pyaasa her major success were Phir Subah Hogi(1958) and Yash Chopra's directorail debut Dhool Ka Phool (1959) that elevated her into a major dramatic star.^[5] There was no looking back for Sinha then as she was part of many successful movies from 1958 to the early '60s like Parvarish (1958), Ujala, Main Nashe Main Hoon, Duniya Na Mane, Love Marriage (1959), Bewaqoof (1960), Maya (1961), Hariyali Aur Rasta and Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Anpadh, Bombay Ka Chor (1962). Critics believe her career best performance was in Bahurani (1963), Gumrah, Gehra Daag, Apne Huye Paraye and Jahan Ara.^[6] Apart from pairing with Pradeep Kumar, her pairing opposite Raaj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Biswajit and Manoj Kumar in woman-oriented films were appreciated by audiences, with her films opposite Biswajit being the most popular. With Raaj Kumar, she gave box office hits like Phool Bane Angaare, Maryada and Karmayogi and opposite Manoj Kumar, gave commercial successes like Hariyali Aur Rasta, Apne Huye Paraye and Himalaya Ki God Mein. The hits with Rajendra Kumar were Devar Bhabhi, Dhool Ka Phool, Patang, Geet and Lalkar.