By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
तेरा जलवा जिसने देखा
वो तेरा हो गया
मैं हो गयी किसी की
कोई मेरा हो गया
क्या देखा था तुझमे
दिल तेरा हो गया
यह सोचते ही
सोचते सवेरा हो गया
Born Zaibunnisa on April 1934, the subject of this write up, later came to be known as Kumkum in Hindi films.Her career began in Guru Dutt’s “Aar Paar”, singing the popular number “Laaga Teere Nazar, Kabhie Aaar Kabhie Paar” rendered by Shamshad Begum under the baton O.P. Nayyar. She later fetured in hits like “Mirza Ghalib” ( 1954), “Mr.& Mrs.’55” ( 1955), “C.I.D” & “Basant Bahar” (1956), Naya Daur’ & Pyaasa (1957), ” Ujala & “Shararat “(1959) “Kohinoor” (1960) “Mr. X in Bombay” (1964).
.
Gifted with oomph, acting potential & a dancing feet, she had always been the choicest of the directors as is evident from various popular songs picturized on her, speaking volumes of her acceptability & popularity among cine goers.
“Kar Gaya Re Kar Gaya Mujhpe Jadu” (Basant Bahaar (1956), “O Gaadi Wale, Gaadi Dhire Haank Re” & ‘Ghoonghat Nahi Kholoongi Saiyan Tore Aage’ (Mother India -1957), “Tera Teer O Bepeer Dil Ke Aar Paar Ha” ( Shararat ) & “Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha, Woh Tera Ho Gaya” (Ujala-1959), “Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Me Aawaaz Na Do” ( Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere-1960), “Laagi Chhute Naa Ab To Sanam” ( Kali Topi Lal Rumal-1959), “Dil Todne Vale, Tujhe Dil Dhundh Raha Hai” (Son Of India -1962), “Chhedo Na Meri Zulfen Sab Log Kyaa Kahenge” & “Machalti Hui Hava Me Chham Chham” (Ganga Ki Laharen -1964), “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi, Aaj Rushwa Teri Galiyo Me” (Mr.X in Bombay-1964), “Sultaanaa Sultaanaa Tu Na Ghabaraanaa” (Shriman Funtoosh 1965) , “Door Kahin Door Hume Le Chalo Sanam” (Ek Sapera Ek Lutera (1965) & last but not least “Madhuban Me Radhika Nache Re” (Kohinoor) were some of the gems picturized on the actress.
Dharmendra worked opposite the much popular actress in “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere”(1960), then being a non entity & was hardly taken notice of, during its premiere.
I saw most of her films including “C.I.D.” & the first Bhojpuri film “Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo” (1962) at Kumar cinema Chandni Chowk, Delhi in 1963. I also saw her film “Ek Sapera Ek Lootera” opposite Feroz Khan at Sadar Bazar Delhi in 1970. She was a favorite of Ramanand Sagar Camp and did “Aankhen”, “Geet” & “Lalkar” under his direction.
