Chandramukhi | |
---|---|
Devdas character | |
![]() Vyjayanthimala as Chandramukhi in Devdas | |
Created by | Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
Portrayed by | Chandrabati Devi Vyjayanthimala Supriya Devi Kalki Koechlin Anwara Madhuri Dixit For more see "Performers" |
In-universe information | |
Alias | Chandrika |
Nickname | Leni |
Gender | Female |
Occupation | Tawaif (courtesan) |
Spouse | Devdas Mukherjee |
Religion | Hindu |
Chandramukhi is one of the pivotal characters in the 1917 Bengali novel Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Her character was inspired by the Hindu mystical singer Meera, who devoted her life to Lord Krishna; similarly Chandramukhi devoted her life to Devdas. [1] Chandramukhi is portrayed as a tawaif in the novel and its film adaptations. [2] Chandramukhi means "moon faced" or "as beautiful as the moon" in Sanskrit. [3]
Chandramukhi is a courtesan (tawaif) who lives in Calcutta also known as Kolkata. She is considered the most beautiful and richest prostitute in the area of Chitpur. [4] She is first introduced to Devdas by Chunnilal, who returns to Calcutta heartbroken after the marriage of Parvati "Paro". Devdas, disgusted over Chandramukhi's profession insults her and leaves her kotha. Chandramukhi, impressed by Devdas's attitude, later falls in love with him after realizing his steadfast love for Paro. She leaves her profession for Devdas and convinces him to marry her; he, however, has to reluctantly reject her offer as he has devoted his life to Paro. In return, Chandramukhi does not force him to be with her but waits patiently for him. Subsequently, she also moves to Ashthajhari village, where she lives in a muddy house located at the bank of a river and helps the needy. After some struggle, she meets with Devdas again, who now accepts her love.
In most of the film adaptations of Devdas, the story of Chandramukhi is similar to the novel. However, in most of the films her humanitarian work in helping the needy is not depicted. Unlike in the novel, a scene in which Chandramukhi and Parvathi meet was added in Bimal Roy's 1955 version when Paro, played by Suchitra Sen riding in a human rickshaw, comes across Chandramukhi, played by Vyjayanthimala, who just stares at Paro without a single word being exchanged between them. [5] The meeting scene of Paro and Chandramukhi in the 1955 version was still regarded as one of the memorable scene in Bollywood with the background music adding the impact to the scene. [6] In the 2002 version, the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, extended the interaction between Paro and Chandramukhi, also showing them dancing together to the hit song "Dola Re Dola". [7]
Chandramukhi is one of the first characters in an Indian novel to deal with prostitution. [11] She was often depicted as a tawaif with a heart of gold. [12] The character of Chandramukhi had paved the way for other portrayals of prostitutes and tawaifs in films like Pyaasa (1957), Sadhna (1958) and Pakeezah (1972). [13]
Chandramukhi was well-received in India by critics. In 2006, Rediff included Chandramukhi in their list of "Bollywood's Best Tawaif". [14] Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India also ranked Chandramukhi at #5 in his list "Tart with a heart". [15]
There are many actresses who have portrayed Chandramukhi in film adaptations of Devdas. The first notable award was won by Vyjayanthimala in 1956 when she won the Filmfare Awards [16] in the Supporting Actress category. However, she was also the first person to decline the award, as she thought that her role was not a supporting one but was of equal importance and parallel to that of Paro in the 1955 version. [17] Madhuri Dixit and Kalki Koechlin and also won the same award as Vyjayanthimala for their respective portrayals.
The following are awards and nominations received by actresses who have played the role of Chandramukhi in film:
Year | Film | Nominee | Award | Result | Note | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957 | Devdas | Vyjayanthimala | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress | Won | She refused to accept the award as she thought that Chandramukhi and Parvathi were parallel roles and not a supporting role | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
2002 | Devdas | Madhuri Dixit | ||||
Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress | ||||||
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor – Female | Nominated | |||||
IIFA Award for Best Actress | ||||||
2010 | Dev.D | Kalki Koechlin | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance – Female | Nominated | |||||
2013 | Devdas | Moushumi | Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
People's Choice Meril-Prothom Alo Award for Best Film Actress | Nominated | [23] |
Madhuri Dixit Nene is an Indian actress and television personality. She has appeared in over 70 Hindi films, attaining nationwide stardom that influenced Indian popular culture. Noted by critics for her beauty, dancing skills, and characters, Dixit was credited for singularly paralleling her male contemporaries by leading star vehicles in a male-dominated industry. Her accolades include six Filmfare Awards from a record 17 nominations. In 2008, the Government of India awarded her with Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country.
Devdas is a Bengali romance novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The story pivots a tragic triangle linking Devdas, an archetypal lover in viraha (separation); Paro, his forbidden childhood love; and Chandramukhi, a reformed courtesan (tawaif). Devdas has been adapted on screen 20 times for film and 5 times for single song.
The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role. Although the Filmfare awards started in 1954, awards for the Best Supporting Actress category started the following year 1955.
Devdas is a 2002 Indian Hindi-language period romantic drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bharat Shah under his banner, Mega Bollywood. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles, with Jackie Shroff, Kirron Kher, Smita Jaykar, and Vijayendra Ghatge in supporting roles. Based on the 1917 novel of the same name by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, the film narrates the story of Devdas Mukherjee (Khan), a wealthy law graduate who returns from London to marry his childhood friend, Parvati "Paro" (Rai). However, the rejection of their marriage by his own family sparks his descent into alcoholism, ultimately leading to his emotional deterioration and him seeking refuge with the golden-hearted courtesan Chandramukhi (Dixit).
Devdas is a 1955 Indian Hindi-language period drama film directed by Bimal Roy, based on the Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel Devdas. It starred Dilip Kumar in the title role, Suchitra Sen in her Bollywood debut as Parvati "Paro", Vyjayanthimala in her first dramatic role where she played tawaif named Chandramukhi. Motilal, Nazir Hussain, Murad, Pratima Devi, Iftekhar, Shivraj were playing other significant roles along with Pran, Johnny Walker in extended cameo appearances.
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Vyjayanthimala Bali, known mononymously as Vyjayanthimala, is an Indian parliamentarian, dancer and former actress. Regarded as one of Indian cinema's finest actresses and dancers, she is the recipient of several accolades, including five Filmfare Awards and two BFJA Awards. She made her screen debut at the age of 16 with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949), and followed this with a role in the Telugu film Jeevitham (1950). Her first work in Hindi cinema was the social guidance film Bahar (1951), which she headlined, and achieved her breakthrough with the romance Nagin (1954).
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