Her psyche was seeped in the sensibilities of tragic romanticism. Her artistic urges sought out a geography larger than life, and inhabited that dangerous territory where life is art and art is life. Sometimes legends are martyrs to their cause in the pursuit of immortality by deed and accomplishment. And myth follows them. That was Meena Kumari.

One should write in such Byronic prose when remembering Meena Kumari. In the 'Classic Period' of Hindi Bollywood popular cinema she was its most tragically romantic female figure on and off the screen. She cultivated the tragic heroine and defined the character. Kumari had stated that she wished to make a film that would immortalize her. In fact, the very idea of the tragic heroine has now become synonymous with her name, she has become the definition of the character.

Much has been written about Meena Kumari and she is still celebrate and talked about to this day over 30 years after her passing. The web is full of profiles on the actress. She led a life that was perfect and easy writing for any biographer. In fact her life reads like a fictional tragic romance, and it is not ironic because Meena Kumari consciously orchestrated each chapter, down to it's final conclusion. Her life was lived with the intent of memorialization as her generations most romantic female figure, which is what she has become.

There is a sad beauty to the whole proceeding. The story was written for the incurable romantic in mind. Her's was a life for the poet and the suffering artist. It was an incredible life's work and she very tragically and wondrously achieved her goal.

Photo Galleries

Publicity stills of Meena Kumari

Exclusive Meena Kumari Photo Gallery

Still Captures from "Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam" [1962]

Still Captures from "Pakeezah" [1972]

 

Links:

3to6.com Meena Kumari profile (great article)

indya.com Meena Kumari profile

Dinesh Raheja's rediff.com Meena Kumari profile

upperstall.com Meena Kumari profile

A dedicated web site; 'The Meena Kumari story'