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Published: 23 February 2018

Last Updated: 23 February 2018

Agha Hashr Kashmiri, Pandit Radheyshyam Kathavachak and Pandit Narayan Prasad Betab were the three stalwarts of the Parsi theater that was the main mass entertainment media in the early 20th century. Here Radheyshyam describes his first meeting with Hashr, where he learnt that just once scene in a play can be worth the whole play. BTW, the drama mentioned here was eventually called Bilwamangal and is still played regularly during the Ramlila season. I remember the particular line cited always got huge clapping in Ludhiana in the late 50s.

Pandit Radheshyam Kathavachak writes,

In Kanpur I saw Agha Hashr for the first time. He had come to sell his drama ‘soordas’ for Rs 1000 to the company. During the reading of the drama, Hashr invited me also. And he said to me very politely, “I am a Muslim, my language is Urdu, this is a religious drama and it has Hindi in it. If you find an error, please let me know without hesitation.” When he read it, I learnt that Hashr sahib is very clever in talking and selling his wares. Right in front of me, Sorabji told him – your one scene alone is worth Rs 1000 - where Chintamani says to Bilwamangal - “You love me so much, if you had loved God so much, you would have attained Nirvana”.

Now you know!

Bharat 28 Lata Naashaad

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Published: 10 October 2017

Last Updated: 10 October 2017

This is the earliest song in which I can hear temple bells clearly. Of course, it is a pooja scene. The song is number 3a from here

Rajput Ramani song

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 Listen to Toofan Men Pyar Kahan (1966)

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Published: 09 November 2021

Last Updated: 16 February 2022

I have already written many posts about this topic, but people still keep asking the same old questions, and, rehashing the same half-baked stories.

So, I am gathering all the old posts in one place.

 1. The eldest Kaneez Fatima, married Balsara (not the music director).

2. Altaf, usually a Production Manager, married Kotwal. Here is she in Dil Ki Rani (1947).

3. Of course, Madhubala herself. From a magazine cover.

4. Chanchal, married Prabhakar, and, after his death, Ibrahim. Acted in lots of films.

Here in Jhumroo (1961).

5. Shahida or Leena. Married Vijay Kumar, Johnny Walker's brother. From an article

6. Zahida or Madhur or Ganga. Acted in a few movies. Married Brij Bhushan Mehru, a musician.

She sang a song in Kissa Kursi Ka (1977). Ganga and Leena acted in Hum Do Daku (1967).

Here, from Padosan (1968).

Now You Know!