By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
ओ लाली फूल की मेंहँदी लगा इन गोरे हाथों में
उतर आ ऐ घटा काजल, लगा इन प्यारी आँखों में
सितारों माँग भर जाओ
मेरा महबूब आया है
One of the most talented and charismatic actresses and dancers of Hindi cinema, Vyjayanthimala who enthralled the cine audiences with her superb acting , winning million hearts in hits like “Devdas”, “Naya Daur”, “Madhumati”, “Sadhna”, “Jewel Thief”, “Sunghursh”, “Sangam” & ” Suraj” also rubbing shoulders with the likes of Nargis, Nutan, Meena Kumari & Sadhana.
She was also cast opposite Balraj Sahni in the 1958 film “Kathputli” with hits like “Manzil Yahi Hai Payaar Ki Raahi Badal Gaye” & my favourite & most electrifying Classical dance number picturized on Kamala Laxman “Haye Tu He Gaya Mohe Bhool Re”.The film and songs continue to haunt the audience. Amiya Chakravarty directed the film. He died during the making. Nitin Bose did the rest.
Won Filmfare Best Actress Award for Champabai in “Sadhna” (1958) Dhano in “Gunga Jumna” (1961) & Radha in “Sangam”(1964). Also bestowed with Best Supporting Actress Award for “Devdas” (1956 ) which she refused to accept as she thought it was not a Supporting role playing Chandramukhi, the lovely looking Dancer with a golden heart. She also received nomination for ‘Madhumati’. A. V. Meiyappan introduced her into films. She also featured in many films down South including her debut Tamil film “Vazhkai” (1949). The Bengal Film Journalists’ Association honored her for ‘Gunga Jumna’ & ‘Sunghursh’ in 1961 & 1968 respectively
Though she made her Hindi debut with ‘Bahar” (1951) & later ‘Ladki’ (1953) both produced by A. V. Meiyappan, she gained popularity or breakthrough with ‘Nagin’ (1954), a romantic drama starring Pradeep Kumar, Jeevan & Ruby Myer. The film is remembered for its memorable songs like- “Man Dole Mera Tan Dole”, “Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja”, “Jadugar Saiyan”, “Oonchi Oonchi Duniya Ki Deewarein” & “Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja” under the music score Hemant Kumar. I saw this film at Ferozepur in 1956.The actress did many films opposite Dilip Kumar- ‘Devdas (1955), ‘Naya Daur'( 1957), ‘Madhumati’ (1958), ‘Paigham’ (1959), ‘Ganga Jamna’ (1961), ‘ Leader’ (1964), ‘Suraj'(1966) , ‘Prince’ & ‘Sunghursh'(1968).
She also received Lifetime Achievement Award at British Asian Film Festival (1998), Pune International Film Festival (2006) & Bangalore International Film Festival (2012). Remained MP Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha. Married Chaman Lal Bali in 1968. Also Bestowed with Padma Shri & Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honor granted by the Government of India.
तुम संग जनम जनम के फेरे
भूल गये क्यूँ साजन मेरे
तड़पत हूँ मैं सांझ सवेरे, ओ …
आ जा रे, मैं तो कब से खड़ी इस पार
