- Durga Khote
-
Durga Khote Born January 14, 1905
Mumbai, British IndiaDied September 22, 1991 (aged 86)
Mumbai, IndiaOccupation actor, film producer Years active 1931- 1983 Durga Khote (Marathi: दुर्गा खोटे; January 14, 1905− September 22, 1991) was an Indian actress, starting as one of the foremost leading ladies of her times, she remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around 200 films and numerous theatre productions.
In 2000, in a millennium issue, India Today, a leading magazine, chose her among 100 people Who Shaped India, as it noted that, "Durga Khote marks the pioneering phase for woman in Indian Cinema.",[1] as she was one of the first women from respectable families to enter the film industry thus breaking a social taboo[2]
She also ranks amongst top ten actresses in mother roles in Hindi cinema,[3] essayed by her in Hindi cinema, most notable among them were, as Jodhabai in K. Asif’s Mughal-e-Azam (1960), as Kaikeyi in Vijay Bhatt’s classic, Bharat Milap (1942), her other memorable roles as mother were in Charnon Ki Dasi (1941), Mirza Ghalib , Bobby (1973) and Bidaai(1974). She was awarded, the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema, in 1983.
Contents
Early life
She was born in a traditional Mumbaikar Goud Saraswat Brahmin family (Surname Laud) in present-day Maharashtra. By the age of 26, Durga Khote was a widowed mother with two young sons, Bakul and Harin. She had to seek work in films in order to support her children. In doing so, she became a pioneer of sorts, as she hailed form a traditional family, and since the film industry at that time was regarded as the preserve of the base and the bawdy. Also, most of the female characters were played by men.
Early career
Durga Khote debuted in a minor role in an obscure 1931 silent film, Farebi Jaal, by the Prabhat Film Company, followed by Maya Machhindra (1932), but was soon promoted to play heroine in the 1932 double version (Hindi & Marathi) film "Ayodhyecha Raja", another Prabhat film, which was the first-ever Marathi talkie and proved to be a runaway hit, where she essayed the role of Rani Taramati.[4] There was no looking back for the diffident widow from Kolhapur after that. Indeed, she ventured yet another pioneering trend: despite working closely with Prabhat Film Company, she broke away from the "studio system" (exclusive contract with a studio to work in its films on a monthly salary) then in vogue and became one of the first "freelance" artistes of that era by working occasionally with the New Theatres, and East India Film Co. (both at Calcutta), and Prakash Pictures.
In 1937, she produced and directed a film titled Saathi, making her one of the first women to step into this role in Indian cinema.[5] The 40s open for her in a big way, with award winning performances in Aachary Atre's Payachi dasi(Marathi) & Charnon Ki Dasi(Hindi) (1941) and Vijay Bhatt's classic, Bharat Milap (1942), both of which got her the BFJA Best Actress Award consecutively for two years.
Durga Khote also remained active in theatre circuit for many years, especially the Marathi theatre in Bombay. She was actively associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), and worked in several plays for the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. In 1954, she famously performed the role of Lady Macbeth, in V.V. Shirwadkar's Marathi adaptations of Macbeth, as Rajmukut, 'The Royal Crown', along with Nanasaheb Phatak[6]
Later career
Durga Khote essayed a wide variety of roles over a career that was not only long but also untouched by scandal. She was the inspiration for several generations of Indian actresses, including veterans like the late Shobhna Samarth, who frequently spoke of how she had been inspired by Durga Khote's example.
During later years, she played several important character roles, such as the mother of the protagonist. Her portrayal of Jodhabai, the queen of Akbar torn between duty towards her husband and love towards her son in the film Mughal-e-Azam (1960) was well received. She went on to play other widely appreciated character roles in later movies such as the role of the grandmother of the heroine in Bobby (1973) and the hero's aunt in Abhimaan (1973) and one more really memorable film Bidaai (1974), where she played a mother, a very sensitive role that can make you cry, and received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.
In 1963, she acted in Merchant Ivory's debut film, The Householder (1963),[7][8] and her final memorable role was in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Bawarchi (1972). She acted in over 200 films in her career, and by 1980s she successfully diversified into production of short films, Ad films and documentaries by setting up Fact Films, and later, Durga Khote Productions, which produced Doordarshan TV series Wagle Ki Duniya. Later in life she wrote her acclaimed autobiography, in Marathi which was later translated into English as "I Durga Khote",[9] and moved to Alibaug, beach front near Mumbai, and died on September 22, 1991.
Personal life
Her two sons Bakul and Harin were born in her first marriage with Vijay Mehta. It was a traditional marriage into an orthodox family. Vijay Mehta was a theatre doyenne and film director who died early in life. After she was widowed Khote had an unsuccessful second marriage to Mohammed Rashid.[10]
Her grandchildren from her two sons include, Ravi a filmmaker, granddaughter Anjali Khote; grandson Deven Khote a Television producer,[11] and a noted film producer, making films like, Jodhaa Akbar and Life in a Metro.[12]
Her brother, Nandu Khote was a noted stage and silent movie actor, whose daughter Shobha Khote also acted in Hindi films, debuted in Seema (1955), she later directed and produced Marathi films and entered television in the 90s. Viju Khote, most known for his role of Kalia in Sholay (1975) is an noted character actor. Shobha Khote's daughter, Bhavna Balsaver, is also an award-winning TV actress. They appeared together in 1993 TV sitcom, Zabaan Sambhalke on DD Metro.[13][14]
Filmography
Acting Filmography Year Film Character/Role Notes 1983 Daulat Ke Dushman Sunil's mother 1980 Karz Mrs. Shanta Prasad Verma 1979 Chor Sipahee Mrs. Khanna, Raja's mother 1977 Chacha Bhatija Mrs. D'Silva 1977 Darling Darling 1977 Do Chehere Daadima 1977 Naami Chor 1977 Paapi Ashok's mother 1977 Paheli Brij Mohan's mother 1977 Saheb Bahadur Meena's grandmother 1976 Jaaneman Ronnie's mother 1976 Jai Bajrang Bali Devi Maa Anjani 1976 Rangila Ratan 1976 Shaque Mrs. Bannerjee 1975 Chaitali Manish's Mother 1975 Kala Sona Mrs. Ranjeet Singh 1975 Khushboo Brindaban's mother 1974 Bidaai Parvati Won 1975 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1974 Dil Diwana Vijay's Dadimaa 1974 Insaaniyat Ram's mother 1973 Bobby Mrs. Braganza 1973 Namak Haraam Somu's Mother 1973 Abhimaan Durga Mausi 1973 Gopi Kunwar's Mother 1973 Agni Rekha 1972 Bawarchi Seeta Sharma 1972 Mere Bhaiya Avinash's Mother 1972 Raja Jani Rajmata 1972 Shararat Harry's mother 1971 Anand Renu's Mother Guest Appearance 1971 Banphool Haria's maternal grandma 1971 Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari Rajlaxmi S. Chaudhary 1970 Khilona Thakurain Singh 1969 Dharti Kahe Pukarke 1969 Ek Phool Do Mali Leela 1969 Jeene Ki Raah Janki 1969 Pyar Ka Sapna Sudha's mother 1968 Jhuk Gaya Aasman Mrs. Saxena 1968 Sapno Ka Saudagar Peter's mother 1968 Sunghursh Mrs. Bhawani Prasad 1967 Chandan Ka Palna Mrs. Radha Laxmidas 1966 Anupama Ashok's Mother 1966 Daadi Maa Daadi Maa/Maharani 1966 Devar 1966 Pyar Mohabbat Rajmata Rajeshwari 1966 Sagaai Sheel's mother 1965 Do Dil Ranimaa 1965 Kaajal Rani Sahiba 1965 Purnima Sharda R. Lal 1964 Benazir 1964 Door Ki Awaaz Prakash's mother 1964 Kaise Kahoon 1964 Main Suhagan Hoon 1964 Shagoon 1963 The Householder Prem's Mother 1963 Mujhe Jeene Do 1962 Main Shadi Karne Chala 1962 Man-Mauji Dr. Mohan's mother 1962 Rungoli Subhagi 1962 Son of India Head Nun 1961 Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan Prabha's mother 1961 Kismet Palat Ke Dekh 1961 Senapati 1960 Mughal-E-Azam Maharani Jodha Bai 1960 Parakh Rani Ma, J.C. Roy's mother 1960 Love in Simla Sonia's grandmother 1960 Usne Kaha Tha 1959 Ardhangini Prakash's mother 1959 Ghar Ghar Ki Baat 1959 Maine Jeena Seekh Liya 1958 Raj Tilak 1957 Bade Sarkar 1957 Bhabhi Ratan's aunt 1957 Mera Salaam 1957 Musafir Mrs. Nilambar Sharma 1956 Justice 1956 Parivar 1956 Patrani Raj Mata 1956 Rajdhani 1955 Adil-E-Jahangir 1954 Lakeeren 1954 Mirza Ghalib Amma,
Chaudvin's mother1953 Chacha Chowdhury 1953 Mashooka 1953 Naag Panchami 1953 Naulakha Haar Devla 1953 Shikast 1952 Aandhiyan 1952 Lal Kunwar 1952 Mordhwaj 1952 Narveer Tanaji 1952 Sandesh 1951 Aaram Sita 1951 Hamari Shaan 1951 Humlog Mother 1951 Nai Zindagi 1951 Sazaa 1950 Alakh Niranjan 1950 Beqasoor 1950 Har Har Mahadev 1950 Magroor 1950 Nishana 1949 Singaar 1949 Jeet Ratan's Mother 1949 Maya Bazaar 1949 Maya Bazaar 1948 Anjuman 1948 Seeta Sawayamwar 1946 Maharani Minaldevi 1946 Rukmini Swayamvar 1945 Lakharani Bichwa 1945 Pannadai 1945 Phool 1945 Veer Kunal 1944 Maharathi Karna Kunti 1943 Kurbani 1943 Mahasati Ansuya 1943 Mahatma Vidur 1943 Prithvi Vallabh Mrinalvati 1943 Tasveer Vidya Devi 1943 Zameen 1942 Bharat Milap Maharani Kekaiyi Hindi/Marathi film 1942 Vijay 1941 Payachi Dasi Vidya's Mother-in-law Marathi film 1941 Charnon ki Dasi Vidya's Mother-in-law 1940 Yamla Jat 1940 Geeta Durga 1940 Geeta Durga Marathi film 1940 Narsi Bhagat Manekbai Gujarati/Hindi film 1939 Adhuri Kahani Harbala 1938 Nandakumar 1938 Saathi 1937 Pratibha Pratibha 1936 Amar Jyoti Queen Saudamini 1935 Inquilab Miss Renee 1935 Jeevan Natak Miss Queen 1934 Seeta Seeta 1933 Patit Pawan 1933 Rajrani Meera Meera 1932 Ayodhya Ka Raja Taramati 1932 Ayodhyecha Raja Taramati Hindi/Marathi film 1932 Maya Machhindra Queen Hindi/Marathi film 1931 Farebi Jaal Awards
- 1942: BFJA Awards: Best Actress: Charnon Ki Dasi (1941)[15]
- 1943: BFJA Awards: Best Actress: Bharat Milap(1942)[16]
- 1958: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- 1968: Padma Shri
- 1970: Maharashtra State Award: Dhartichi Lekre
- 1974: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award: Bidaai
- 1983: Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the lifetime recognition award for films from Government of India[5]
References
- ^ Women of Substance India Today.
- ^ Ten most important women stars in Indian films Gautam Rajadhyaksha, Rediff.com.
- ^ Memorable Moms Statesman, Oct 4, 2008.
- ^ Profile with photographs
- ^ a b Dadasaheb Phalke Award 15th Recipient – 1983 - Durga Khote
- ^ Shakespeare in India internetshakespeare.uvic.ca
- ^ Filmography on Allmovie.
- ^ Filmography on The New York Times.
- ^ Autobiography - details from Oxford University Press website
- ^ A Durga Khote production The Times of India, Mar 5, 2006.
- ^ Durga Khote profile Washington State University
- ^ Deven Khote The New York Times.
- ^ An Interview with Shobha Khote Rediff.com.
- ^ The Forgotten Bollywood bhai-behan Brigade Bollywood Hungama, August 9, 2006.
- ^ 5th Annual BFJA Awards - Awards For The Year 1941 BFJA Awards Official website.
- ^ 6th Annual BFJA Awards - Awards For The Year 1942 BFJA Awards Official website.
Further reading
- I, Durga Khote: An autobiography, translated into English by Shanta Gokhale (to be published in June 2006); ISBN 13: 978-0-19-567475-0 & ISBN 10: 0195674758
External links
Dadasaheb Phalke Award 1969–1980 Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich (1969) · B. N. Sircar (1970) · Prithviraj Kapoor (1971) · Pankaj Mullick (1972) · Ruby Myers (1973) · Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy (1974) · Dhirendranath Ganguly (1975) · Kanan Devi (1976) · Nitin Bose (1977) · Rai Chand Boral (1978) · Sohrab Modi (1979) · Paidi Jairaj (1980)
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Bollywood (Hindi cinema) 
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2001–present Jaya Bachchan (2001) · Jaya Bachchan (2002) · Madhuri Dixit (2003) · Jaya Bachchan (2004) · Rani Mukerji (2005) · Ayesha Kapoor (2006) · Konkona Sen Sharma (2007) · Konkona Sen Sharma (2008) · Kangana Ranaut (2009) · Kalki Koechlin (2010) · Kareena Kapoor (2011)
Complete list · (1955–1960) · (1961–1980) · (1981–2000) · (2001–present)
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