Sharifa Bai
Sharifa Bai (died 1968), also known as Miss Sharifa, was an Indian stage and screen actress. She worked on the stage for Alfred and Madan Theatre, appearing in plays written by Agha Hashar Kashmiri that included Aankh ka Nasha (1924) and Dil to Pyas.[1] According to the memoirs of Radheshyam Kathavachak, Sharifa performed the role of a courtesan in Aankh ka Nasha so effectively that she "broke all records".[2] In a 1942 announcement for a radio interview with Sharifa, All India Radio introduced her as the former "Queen of the Hindustani Stage".[3]
In the early 1920s, Sharifa began appearing in silent films, often credited as "Sarifa".[4] She earned wider public recognition with the growing popularity of films during the 1930s.[5] She appeared in supporting roles in Shirin Farhad (1931), one of India's earliest sound productions, as well as Desh Deepak (1935), Hunterwali (1935), and Jailor (1938).[6]
In 1938, Sharifa starred in the titular role of Mother India, which became a box office success.[7][8] Her performance was acclaimed by critics: a reviewer for The Times of India hailed the film as a triumph for Sharifa,[7] while Baburao Patel praised her portrayal as "a superb artistry that calls for big praise".[9] The film ran for 82 weeks at Bombay's Opera House, and its commercial success enabled Sharifa to build a mansion in Dadar, which she named Sharifa Mansion.[10]
Sharifa's daughter was actress Husn Bano, who later married filmmaker Aspi Irani.[11]
Selected filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | Toorkey Hoor | [12] | |
| 1925 | Adooray Chele | [13] | |
| 1925 | Sansar Chakra | [14] | |
| 1928 | Aankh Ka Nasha | [15] | |
| 1931 | Shirin Farhad | [16] | |
| 1935 | Desh Deepak | Iqbal's sister | [17] |
| 1935 | Hunterwali | Krishnavati | [18] |
| 1938 | Jailor | [19] | |
| 1938 | Mother India | Sabita | [20] |
References
[edit]- ↑ Hansen 2013, p. 345.
- ↑ Hansen 2013, p. 147.
- ↑ "News–Reel". The Indian Listener. 7 (12). All India Radio: 28. 7 June 1942 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Chabria & Usai 1994, pp. 98, 99, 106, 128.
- ↑ Pakistan Quarterly. Pakistan Publications. 1957. p. 30.
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1999, pp. 254, 261, 263, 276.
- 1 2 "Current And Coming Indian Screen Attractions: Sharifa's Triumph In "Mother India" To Be Released At Opera House Tomorrow". The Times of India. 20 January 1939. p. 14.
- ↑ ""Mother India" Proves Box Office Success At Opera House". The Times of India. 3 February 1939. p. 14.
- ↑ Patel, Baburao (March 1939). "Round The Town: Mother India". Filmindia: 35.
- ↑ Lakshmi, C. S. (1998). Pramila, Esther Victoria Abraham: A Biographical Note Based on the Visual History Workshop. Sparrow. p. 10.
- ↑ Hansen 2013, p. 42.
- ↑ Chabria & Usai 1994, p. 98.
- ↑ Chabria & Usai 1994, p. 99.
- ↑ Chabria & Usai 1994, p. 106.
- ↑ Chabria & Usai 1994, p. 128.
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1999, p. 254.
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1999, p. 261.
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1999, p. 263.
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1999, p. 276.
- ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1999, p. 620 for release year.
Sources
[edit]- Chabria, Suresh; Usai, Paolo Cherchi (1994). Light of Asia: Indian Silent Cinema, 1912-1934. Wiley Eastern. ISBN 978-8122406801.
- Hansen, Kathryn (2013). Stages of Life: Indian Theatre Autobiographies. Anthem Press. ISBN 978-1783080984.
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1999). The Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute. ISBN 978-0851706696.
External links
[edit]- Sharifa Bai at IMDb