By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
दुनियां में मोहब्बत की
यही रीत है ए दिल
जल जाना मगर होंठो
पर फरियाद न लाना
ओ दर्द भरे आंसुओं
आँखों में न आना
\
Kamini Kaushal, as an actress of yore, needs no introduction. One of the earliest actresses who appeared on the Hindi Cine horizon, Kamini Kausahl is known for featuring in Chetan Anand’s much raved film “Neecha Nagar”(1946) winning the 1946 Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at Cannes Film Festival in France. The film also starred Rafiq Anwar, Murad, Zohra Sehgal & B. M. Vyas with music score by Ravi Shankar.
The actress is best remembered for her romantic inklings with Dilip Kumar opposite whom she featured in Shaheed (1948) starring Chandra Mohan, and Leela Chitnis. The film is remembered for its music score by Ghulam Haider & songs rendered by Surinder Kaur like- ‘Aana Hai To Aa Jao’, ‘Badnaam Na Ho Jaaye’ including ‘Watan Ki Raah Mein Watan Ke Naujawan Shaheed Ho’ by Rafi & Mastana. It was also the Highest grossing Hindi film of the year ahead of Mela, Pyar Ki Jeet, Anokhi Ada & another Dilip Kamini Kushal starrer ‘Nadia Ke Paar’ directed by veteran actor Kishore Sahu. She worked opposite Dev Anand in the same year in “Ziddi” also starring Pran & Kuldeep Kaur. The film helped them gain wider recognition in the following years. Interestingly, it was the first movie in which Lata teamed up with Kishore Kumar in a duet under the music score Khemchand Prakash.
The actress won her first Filmfare Award for her role in Biraj Bahu” (1956) starring Abhi Bhattacharya, Manorama and Pran with music score by Salil Chowdhury. The film also won National Award including Filmfare Best Director for Bimal Roy. Also nominated for Palme d’Or.
The actress later became a permanent feature of films produced & directed by Manoj Kumar starting with Shaheed, Upkaar, Purab Aur Paschim to name some. Her Best period towards the fag end was between 1971 to 1976 during which she featured in many hits as a character artist like-Heer Raanjha, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Shor, Ishq Par Zor Nahin, Dharti, Anhonee,Prem Nagar, Sanyasi, Dus Numbri, Kabeela.
