Who is Devika Rani & What She Does?

Karma went on to premiere in London and it was internationally acclaimed. Devika Rani put Indian cinema on a world map with her eloquent performance.

Karma went on to premiere in London and it was internationally acclaimed. Devika Rani put Indian cinema on a world map with her eloquent performance.

She and her husband would partner again for their production house Bombay Talkies. The studio would go on to make 40 films which included hits like Kangan, Bandhan, and Kismet.

Through her choices in film, she was known as a gutsy actress. She proceeded in making films that revolved around societal issues. Acchut Kanya was a commentary about the caste system . Nirmala spoke about blind-faith and superstitions.

Devika Rani will most be remembered for is not giving a damn in an era that cared too much about the status quo and ‘log kya kahenge’. She was feisty in an era where women were expected to be docile and meek.

Her beauty and impeccable style added to her identity. During her time training for filmmaking, she was highly influenced by the likes of German actress Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo. Her classic style and acting style gave her the name of ‘Indian Garbo’.

Her beauty and impeccable style added to her identity. During her time training for filmmaking, she was highly influenced by the likes of German actress Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo. Her classic style and acting style gave her the name of ‘Indian Garbo’.

Her influence in the Indian cinema still remains. The Padma Shri and Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient, till date, has her name carved as one of the greatest actors that India has ever seen.

in 2011, Ministry of communication conferred her with a postage stamp commemorating her contribution to Indian cinema.

Devika Rani was well established as an actress, producer and singer before she married Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich. The couple went on to enrich India’s art and cultural scene for almost five decades.

For an Indian visitor to Moscow’s State Museum of Oriental Art, one of the most striking images is a painting of a beautiful and elegant woman in a sari.

Many of us born several decades after India’s independence would not immediately recognize that the woman in the painting is Devika Rani Roerich, who was widely acknowledged as the ‘first lady of Indian cinema.’

An accidental actress, Devika Rani entered the world of Indian cinema after meeting film producer Himanshu Rai during her student days in London. She would go on to marry Rai and then rise to heights in Bollywood both as an actress

An accidental actress, Devika Rani entered the world of Indian cinema after meeting film producer Himanshu Rai during her student days in London. She would go on to marry Rai and then rise to heights in Bollywood both as an actress

She continued to produce popular films after Rai’s death in 1940.

She continued to produce popular films after Rai’s death in 1940.

‘Hamari Baat,’ the last film she acted in (produced in 1943) had a then unknown actor called Raj Kapoor in a minor role. A year later, when she was working on the production of ‘Jwar Bhata’ (one of Dilip Kumar’s first films), Devika Rani met Svetoslav Roerich.

Devika Rani visited Svetoslav Roerich’s studio while looking for an artist to design the sets for her last film. “The meeting changed the course of her life,” the International Roerich Memorial Trust wrote in a tribute to Devika Rani.

The people of Kulu celebrated the wedding,” Shakti Singh Chandel said. “Followers of all 365 devtas (local gods) of the valley sent their representatives to meet Devika.

The locals sang and danced and threw flowers on to the palanquin on which Devika was carried.”

Devika Rani then moved to Kulu completely abandoning her film career. Her stay in the valley would be relatively brief, as the couple would move to Bangalore four years later.

the people and landscapes of the Kulu Valley left an indelible mark on her life.

Kulu was home of his (Svetoslav Roerich’s) people, his mother and father – Madam Roerich, Professor Roerich, George Roerich, his brother,” Rani recounted in the 1980s.

the most beautiful scenery... Himalayas... snow on the mountains and spring flowers... It became our home, my home. I was treated there as a daughter. And Svetoslav, apart from being my husband was a really good friend.”

She managed Svetoslav’s public relations, took part in organizing his painting exhibitions in India and abroad and setting up the Nicholas and Svetoslav Roerich Art Gallery in the Roerich Estate in Naggar,” the International Roerich Memorial Trust wrote.