Cinemaazi remembers Meenakshi Shirodkar on her birth anniversary

Cinemaazi remembers one of the glamorous actresses of Indian Talkies, Meenakshi Shirodkar on her birth anniversary. She was born Ratan Pednekar in 1916. She was trained in classical music and started as a radio artiste working  in plays for All India Radio. Meenakshi entered the world of films as a married woman whenPandurang Naik, one of the partners at Huns Pictures convinced her husband Dr Shirodkar of her potential. She was renamed 'Meenakshi' by P.K. Atre, who wrote Meenakshi’s debut film Brahmachari(1938) alongside Master Vinayak. Her appearance on screen wearing a swimsuit in the song 'Yamuna Jali Khelu Khel Kanhaiyya Ka Lajata' Yamuna bich khelu khel Kanhaiya, aao na from the film  created quite a stir in the thirties and was considered extremely bold for that period. The song was sung by Meenakshi herself and became an instant hit  amongst the youth of many generations to come. She went on to work extensively with Master Vinayak in films like Brandichi Batli(1939), Ghar Ki Rani (1940), Amrut(1941), Majhe Bal (1943).While she extensively worked in Marathi films, some of her notable Hindi films include Raj Tilak(1958), Mere Huzoor(1968), Gaban (1966), Pakeezah (1972) among others. After retiring from major roles in films, she joined the Nutan Sangeet Natak Mandali and acted in several Marathi Sangeet Nataks like Mruchhakatik, Maanaapmaan, Ekach Pyaala, Sanshaykallol, Saubhadra, Bhavbandhan, Udyacha Sansar. She passed away at the age of 80 in 1997.


Image courtesy: mywords&thoughts.com