Meena Kumari the tragedy queen was an Indian film actress. Meena Kumari was born on 1 August 1933 as Mahjabeen Bano and died on 31 March 1972 due to Liver Cirrhosis. She was full of talent for acting, Singing, & Poetry and emerged as the most influential Indian Film Actress. She used the pen name i.e. pseudonym as “Naaz”. Meena was popular by many designations such as “The Tragedy Queen”, Female Guru Dutt of Hindi films etc. Also, she is often remembered as the Cinderella of Indian films.

Acting Career & Achievements

Meena started her acting when she was only four. Working as the “Baby Meena” in Vijay Bhatt film “Ek Hi Bhool (1940)”. Meena worked as the face cast in Ramnik production’s Bachchon Ka Khel (1946).

Meena won four Filmfare Awards for best actress. These films are Baiju Bawra (1954), Parineeta (1955), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1963) & Kaajal (1966). Also, she was nominated for eight Filmfare Awards for best actress but did not win. These films are Azaad (1956), Sahara (1959), Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1960), Phool Aur Pathaar (1967) and Pakeezah (1973).

Meena Kumari won the award of Bengal Film Journalists’ Association (BFJA) in 1958, for the role of Sharada. Meena Kumari the tragedy queen was an Indian film actress. Also, she won many best actress award in films such as Aarti (1963), Dil Ek Mandir (1965), & Pakeezah (1973).

Poetry Career

“I write, I recite” was an album consisting Meena’s poems released in 1971 under the label of LP Vinyl Record.

Gulzar compiled a collection of Meena”s poem “Tanha Chand” and published it after her death in 1972.

Singing Career

Meena Kumari sang as a child artists for films like Bahen till 1945 as the playback singer.

She gave her voice to songs for films like Duniya Ek Sarai (1946), Piya Ghar Aaja (1948), Bichcahde Balem (1948) and Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966).

Also, she sang Pakeezah in the album Pakeezah-Rang Barang (1972).