Zohra Sehgal turns 100 today….

 

A very Happy Birthday to the great actress !!

Zohra Sehgal, The Grand Old Lady of Indian Theatre and Cinema

Zohra Sehgal (born 27 April 1912) is an Indian stage and film actress, who started her career as dancer with dancer Uday Shankar in 1935 and worked with him for the next eight years. She has appeared in many Bollywood films as well as English language films and television series. She is most known for her appearances in Bhaji on the Beach (1992), The Mystic Masseur (2001), Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Dil Se.. (1998) and Cheeni Kum (2007); and the TV series, The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Tandoori Nights (1985–87), Amma and Family (1996). Considered the doyenne of Indian theatre, she acted with Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and Prithviraj Kapoor's Prithvi Theatre for fourteen years, during the period travelled over India, with the troupe.

She was born a year before Indian cinema. Film, theatre and TV personality Zohra Segal, who turns 100 , has grown to be as colourful and entertaining as the industry itself.

Her zest for life, wit and charm, which have continued to inspire generations, remain unmatched, say entertainment industry veterans. "She is the most incredible woman I have ever met and one of the finest actresses I have ever seen," said filmmaker R. Balki, who roped her to play Amitabh Bachchan's bindaas mom in his 2007 film Cheeni Kum.

View : Indian Cinema on stamps

Mahavir Jayanti…

Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated tomorrow, on 5th April. I am pleased to publish here a special article by Mr Sudhir Jain on this occasion. Greetings to all on Mahavir Jayanti !!

MAHAVIR JAYANTI

- Sudhir Jain

Mahavir Jayanti has a lot of religious significance for people belonging to the Jain religion. It is observed to celebrate the birthday of Bhagwan Mahavir, who was the last (24th) Tirthankara of the Jain religion.

He was born on Chaitra Shukla 13th, 599 B.C. at the Vaishali (Bihar) as a prince. At the age of 30, he left his family and royal household, gave up his worldly possessions, including clothing and become a monk. He spent the next twelve years in deep silence and meditation to conquer his desires and feelings. He went without food for long periods.

He carefully avoided harming or annoying other living beings including animals, birds, and plants. His ways of meditation, days of austerities, and mode of behaviour furnish a beautiful example for monks and nuns in religious life. His spiritual pursuit lasted for twelve years. At the end he realised perfect perception, knowledge, power, and bliss. This realisation is known as keval-jnana. At the age of 72 he died and got Nirwan at Pawapuri.

His original name was VARDHAMAN (Prosperous) but later he was called Mahavir, which means The Great Hero. He was also called as VEER and SANMATI. He extensively travelled and preached in the areas of Bihar and Bengal. His followers named their places after his name. Here I am exhibiting cancellations of some Post Offices bearing his name.

 

Mr Sudhir Jain may be contacted at email : sudhirjain@unistar.co.in