END OF AN ERA: Rajmata Gayatri Devi, the Shantiniketan-educated former Maharani of Jaipur Passes away at 90!!!

Gayatri Devi, often styled as Maharani Gayatri Devi, Rajmata of Jaipur, was born as Princess Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar. She was the third Maharani of Jaipur from 1939 to 1970 through her marriage to HH Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. The royal titles and the accompanying privy purses were technically abolished through a constitutional amendment in 1971.

Following India's independence and the subsequent abolition of the princely states, she became an extremely successful politician. Gayatri Devi was also celebrated for her classical beauty and became something of a fashion icon in her adulthood.

Her father, Prince Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar, was the younger brother of the Yuvraja (Crown Prince). Her mother was Princess Indira Raje of Baroda, the only daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, an extremely beautiful princess and a legendary socialite. Early in her life, her uncle's death led to her father ascending the throne (gaddi). Gayatri Devi studied at Shantiniketan, and later in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she travelled with her mother and siblings, then studied secretarial skills in London School of Secretaries; Brilliantmont and Monkey Club London.

She married HH Saramad-i-Rajahai Hindustan Raj Rajendra Sri Maharajadhiraj Sir Sawai Man Singh II Bahadur on 9 May 1940.

Maharani Gayatri Devi (as she was styled after marriage) was a particularly avid equestrienne. Gayatri Devi had one child, Prince Jagat Singh of Jaipur, ex-Raja of Isarda, born on 15 October 1949 , who was granted his grandfather's fief as a subsidiary title, and Gayatri Devi was called the Rajmata or Queen Mother. Jagat Singh was thus half-brother to Bhawani Singh of Jaipur.

Gayatri Devi was once included in Vogue magazine's Ten Most Beautiful Women list.

Gayatri Devi started schools for girls' education in Jaipur, most prominent of which is the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School. She also revived and promoted the dying art of blue pottery.

Gayatri Devi was related to several other erstwhile royal families in India, and not only the Rajput royals. Her maternal grandparents were Maharaja Sayajirao and Maharani Chimnabai of Baroda. Through marriage, she was related to Maharaja Hanuwant Singh of Jodhpur, the Maharaja of Dewas, the Maharaja of Tripura, and the Maharaja of Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh.

She had one son, Maharaj Jagat Singh of Jaipur (erstwhile Raja of Isarda), and two grandchildren, Lalitya Kumari and Devraj Singh. She is also indirectly related to the former royal families of Lunawada and Baria.

She developed gastric problems in London and was admitted to a hospital there. She was being treated for gastric disorder at the King Edward’s Hospital in London and had expressed her desire to return to Jaipur. Gayatri Devi was flown in an air ambulance to Jaipur. She was admitted at Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital (SDMH) on July 17. She passed away on July, 29th reportedly due to lung failure.

Late Meena Kumari's Grave - Rehmatabad Shia Cemetery, Mazgaon

Tukde Tukde Din Beeta

tukde tukde din beetaa, dha'ji dha'ji raat mili
jiska jitna daman tha, utni hi saugaat milijab chaha dil ko samjhena, hansne ki aawaaz mili
jaise koi kahta ho, lo phir tumko maat mili
dil saa jab saathi paayaa, bechaini bhi saath mili


In fragments the day was consumed|
And in broken bits was the night|
Whatever the size of one’s requirements|
Just that much charity was received;|
When I tried to understand my heart|
I also heard the mocking sound of laughter|
As if somebody was saying|
Look, you are defeated again;|
If I found a companion of my liking|
I found restlessness with it too.

Legendary singer-actress Shamshad Begum has been awarded the Padmashree

Shamshad Begum is an Indian singer who was one of the first playback singers in the Hindi film industry.

Begum was born in Amritsar, Punjab. She was a big fan of K.L. Saigal and watched Devdas 14 times. She earned 15 rupees per song and was awarded 5000 on the completion of the contract on Jenaphone.

Recently, she celebrated her 89th birthday at her elder sister's house and now she stays at Powai, Mumbai.

Begum started her radio career on Peshawar Radio and did work in Lahore, Delhi etc. She made her debut on radio in Lahore on December 16, 1937 captivating the hearts of listeners with the enchanting depth of her voice. Shamshad was very much conscious of her not so beautiful face and she never posed for any picture and not many people saw her pictures anywhere. Until the end of the70s, nobody knew her face but everybody could recognise her melodious voice as it was used by the great maestros like Naushad Ali and O. P. Nayyar. Even today her songs from 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s are popular and remixed by upcoming music directors

Begum sang for the All India Radio (AIR) through her musical group 'The Crown Imperial Theatrical Company of Performing Arts', set up in Delhi. The then AIR Lahore helped her in entering the world of movies as they frequently broadcast her songs, which induced music directors to use her voice for their films. Shamshad also recorded "naats" and devotional music for a couple of gramophone recording companies.

Her crystal clear voice caught the attention of sarangi maestro Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, who took her as his disciple. Lahore-based composer Ghulam Haider used her voice skillfully in some of his earlier films like: Khazanchi (1941) and Khandaan (1942). When he shifted to Bombay in 1944, Shamshad went with him as a member of his team, leaving behind the family and staying which her Chacha (Paternal Uncle). She is credited with singing one of the first Westernised songs, Meri jaan...Sunday ke Sunday by C. Ramchandra. O.P.Nayyar describes her voice as that of a "temple bell" for its clarity of tone.

Begum became a national rage between the 1940s and the late 1950s rendering songs with her nasal voice, which helped her carve her independent image--a voice different from her peers, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Geeta Dutt and Amirbai Karnataki.

Famous Songs

* Leke pehla pehla pyar
* Milte hi, aankhen dil hua-Babul
* Kabhi aar kabhi paar zara dere chalo
* Meri neendon mein tum
* O Gadiwale
* Kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana
* Mere piya gaye Rangoon
* Holi aayee re Kanhaai
* Chod Babul Ka Ghar
* Kajra Mohabbatwala Ankhiyon mein Aisa dala

31 March, Meena Kumari Death anniversary, Died on 3/31/1972,, at the age of 40....

On this very day (March 31st), 37 years ago, Indian cinema lost one of its most talented actresses and her sudden departure left a void which was hard to fill. We pay our respects to the legendary Meena Kumari on her death anniversary.

Chaand Apna Safar

चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

दिल में यादों के नश्तर से टूटा किये
एक तमन्ना कलेजा मसलती रही
चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

बदनसीबी शराफत की दुश्मन बनी
सज संवार्के भी दुल्हन न दुल्हन बनी
टीका माथे पे एक दाग बनता गया
मेंहदी हाथों से शोले उगलती रही

चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

ख्वाब पलकों से गिर कर फनाह हो गए
दो क़दम चल के तुम भी जुदा हो गए
मेरी हारी थकी आँख से रात दिन
एक नदी आंसुओं की उबलती रही

चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

सुबह मांगी तोह ग़म का अँधेरा मिला
मुझको रोता सिसकता सवेरा मिला
मैं उजालों की नाकाम हसरत लिए
उम्र भर मोम बन कर पिघलती रही

चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

चाँद यादों की पर्च्चैयों के सिवा
कुच्छ भी पाया न तनहाइयों के सिवा
वक़्त मेरी तबाही पे हँसता रहा
रंग तकदीर क्या क्या बदलती रही

चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

दिल में यादों के नश्तर से टूटा किये
एक तमन्ना कलेजा मसलती रही

चाँद अपना सफ़र ख़त्म करता रहा
शमा जलती रही रात ढलती रही

yuu.N terii rahaguzar se diivaanaavaar guzare

यूँ तेरी रहगुज़र से दीवानावार गुज़रे
काँधे पे अपने रख के अपना मज़ार गुज़रे

बैठे रहे हैं रास्ता में दिल का खंडहर सजा कर
शायद इसी तरफ से एक दिन बहार गुज़रे

बहती हुई ये नदिया घुलते हुए किनारे
कोई तो पार उतारे कोई तो पार गुज़रे
तू ने भी हम को देखा हमने भी तुझको देखा
तू दिल ही हार गुज़रा हम जान हार गुज़रे