By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
महके हुए दहके हुए मस्त नज़ारे
निखरे हुए बिखरे हुए रंग के धारे
आज पवन हो के मगन हमको बुलाए,
झुकती घटा गाती हवा सपने जगाए
नन्हा सा दिल मेरा मचल-मचल जाए
Dhool Ka Phool
Nandini Karnataki with her screen name Nanda began her film career in late 1940s as a child artist in film “Mandir” (1948).V. Shantaram, the noted director saw sparks of acting in the girl and gave her an opportunity to work in “Toofan Aur Diya” also featuring Rajendra Kumar with a lovely song “Nirbal Se Ladaayee Balwaan Ki Ye Kahani Hai Diye Ki Aur Toofan Ki”, a thought provoking one as also the film under reference. I watched the film at Ferozepur, then barely six-year-old. Nanda raced to stardom slowly but surely.
Her other mentionable film is Satyen Bose’s “Jagriti” ( the awakening-1954) with many lovely songs to boast like- “Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhaye”, “Hum Laaye Hain Toofan Se” & “Sabarmati Ke Sant Tune”, the last rendered by Asha Bhosle . She won a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1957 social drama “Bhabhi”,an AVM Production, staring Balraj Sahni, Pandari Bai & Om Prakash with music score by Chitragupta with many hits like-“Chal Ud Ja Re Panchhi” by Mohammed Rafi,”Chali Chali Re, Patang Meri Chali Re”, Mohammed Rafi-Lata, & “Ja Re Jaadugar, Dekhi Teri Jaadugari” again by Lata. It was followed by yet another box office hit “Barkha” featuring Jagdeep & Nanda, another film by AVM directed by Krishan Panju with few poupular songs like “Ek Raat Men Do Do Chand Khile”- Mukesh-Lata & ” O Sajna-Barkha Bahar Aai” by Lata Mangeshkar.
Nanda who did supporting roles in earlier films was cast as a leading lady in Prasad Productions ” Choti Behan” featuring Balraj Sahni & Rehman, a story highlighting the deep love bonds between a brother & her sister with heart touching hit numbers- “Bhaiya Mere Rakhi Ke Bandhan Ko” by Lata, “Jaoon Kahan Bata Ae Dil” by Mukesh, “Main Rangeela Pyar Ka Rahi” Lata- Subir Sen , “Bagon Mein Baharon Mein by Lata & “Kali Anar Ki Na Itna Satao” Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey. It was a musical hit winning nominations in 5 categories with music score by Shankar jaikishan and lyrics penned by Hasrat & Shailendra.
She was captivating nay mesmerizingly coy beauty in the song “Yeh sama, sama hai yeh pyaar ka kisi ke intezaar ka” in Shashi Kapoor’s first solo hit “Jab Jab Phool Khile”(1965) shot in the beautiful backdrop of lush green Kashmir valley. The film produced with a budget of 5 crore grossed 35 crore( present value based on gold price in 2019 as 295 crore) with Kalyanji Anandji doing wonders with hits like-“Ek Tha Gul Aur Ek Thi Bulbul”,”Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se”, & “Pardesiyon Se Na Ankhiyan Milana”.The film turned out to be a mile stone for Shashi Kapoor who later rubbed shoulders with many a top brass in the industry. Shashi plays a boatman who falls for an exceptionally rich tourist Nanda.
In between the actress appeared in many emotional & romantic movies like” Kala Bazaar” & “Hum Dono” with Dev Anand, “Kanoon” & Dhool Ka Phool”( 1959) with Rajendra Kumar,”Usne Kaha Tha” (1960) with Sunil Dutt , & “Gumnaam” and “Shor” (1972) with Manoj Kumar. She did “Mazdoor” ( 1983) with thespian Dilip Kumar & Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award winning film “Aanchal” opposite Ashok Kumar (1960).
Other hit songs picturized on her include the likes of “Aha Rimjhim Ke Yeh Pyare Pyare Geet Liye” ( Usne Kahah Tha), ” Jane Chaman Shola Badan, Pehlu Me Aa Jao ” (Gumnaam),” Jhukti Ghata Gaati hawa Sapne Jagaye Nanha sa Dil Mera Machal Machal jaye”(Dhool ka Phool) , “Allah Tero Naam” ( Hum Dono),”Likha Hai Teri Aankhon Mein” (Teen Devian), “Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai, Maujo Ki Ravani Hai, Zindagi Aur Kuch Bhi Nahi” (Shor), “Thehriye Hosh Mein Aa Loon” ( Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain-1965) & “Gulabi Aankhe Jo Teri Dekhi Sharabi Ye Dil Ho Gaya”( The Train).
