Rajesh khanna was a Bollywood actor as well as a film producer. He also served as a Lok Sabha member for four years, from 1992 to 1996. He was elected from the New Delhi constituency. He was known as the “original superstar” of Indian cinema. He was cast in 183 films. Among them, there were 163 feature films and 17 short films. He won the Film Fare award in the category of Best Actor thrice and was nominated fourteen times for the same. He won the BFJA award in the category of Best Actor four times. In the year 1991, he completed 25 successful years in the Bollywood industry and was thus awarded the Film Fare Special Award. In the year 2005, he was awarded the Film Fare Lifetime Achievement Award. His first film was Aakhri khat in the year 1966. He married Dimple Kapadia in the year 1973. He has two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. He was the most successful as well as highest paid actor in that era with thirty five golden jubilee hits and twenty two silver jubilee hits. He was taken severely ill and breathed his last on 18th July, 2012. He had cancer. The Government of India is considering honoring him with the Padma Vibhushan Award in the arts category.

Personal Life

He was born on 29th December, 1942 in Amritsar, Punjab. The names of his biological parents were Lala Hiranand and Chandrani Khanna. His father migrated to India from Pakistan. He was a headmaster of a school in Pakistan. Rajesh Khanna was adopted by Chuni lal Khanna and Lila Vati Khanna. After his adoption, he was known as Jatin Khanna. He lived in Girgaon, Mumbai and went to St. Sebastian Goan high school. He completed his studies from Hill Grange High School in Mumbai in the year 1959. He had a keen interest in theatres from early childhood and used to attend theatres and plays in school and college days. He had also won many prizes while participating in interschool competitions. He completed the first two years of Bachelors of Arts from Wadia College and later completed his studies from K.C College in Mumbai. He struggled a lot in the early sixties to find work in the film industry. When he decided to join films, his uncle changed his name to Rajesh. From then on, he came to be known as Rajesh Khanna. He was called Kaka by his friends and wife. 

During his early career in the time span of 1960-1970, he was attracted towards Anju Mahendru. She was a very popular fashion designer and film actress at that time. Rajesh Khanna and Anju Mahendru had a seven year relationship. Later they broke up. Eventually, Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in March 1973. They have two daughters, Twinkle Khanna and Rinke Khanna. Twinkle Khanna is married to actor Akshay Kumar and the other daughter Rinke Khanna is married to Samir Saran, an investment banker. Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia separated in the year 1984 but did not divorce. In the eighties, Rajesh Khanna was in a relationship with the then popular actress Tina Munim. But later they ended their relationship as Tina Munim chose to pursue higher studies and left the industry. In July 2011, Rajesh Khanna was diagnosed with cancer. His health started deteriorating. He was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on 23rd June and discharged on 8th July. On 14th July, he was again admitted to hospital and was discharged on 16th July. He died on 18th July. 

 Professional Life

In 1965, Rajesh Khanna won the All India Talent Contest organized by United Producers and Film Fare. As a reward, he was offered the film Aakhri Khat directed by Chetan Anand. His next film was Raaz, directed by Ravindra Dave. This film was also part of the winning prize. G.P Sippy and Nassir Hussein signed him for his early films. Some of his successful and popular films include Baharon ke Sapne, Aurat, Aaradhana, Doli and Ittefaaq. Kishore Kumar was the playback singer for most of the Rajesh Khanna starred film's songs till 1991. These songs are popular even today. The on screen chemistry of Rajesh Khanna with actress Mumtaz was hugely appreciated by the audience and they together gave eight successful hits. He acted in different kinds of films like action in Ashanti, negative role in Red rose, tragedy in Babu, adventure in Awam and many more. He had very close relationship with Kishore Kumar and R.D Burman. They worked together in creating many hot songs in films like Alag Alag and many more. In his later career in the nineties, he acted in a film named Khudai. Later, in 1999 and 2002, he acted in two more films. He had brief career acting in television from 2000 to 2009. He will always be remembered as India’s most successful superstar.

Godaan 

Godaan the last novel by Munshi Premchand, one of the most famous novels of all languages the world over considered an all time great in contemporary literary circle. However, there were certain facts, which were not given their due weightage according to the merits of Munshi Premchand or his novel in question; there are certain facts, which needed to be discovered based on outlines he used to make during his novel writing process. Incidentally, Munshi Premchand used to write his manuscript in English to be translated in Hindi or Urdu later. He was master of all three languages, English, Hindi and Urdu to use all three with equal command over these. He was a writer of Hindi-Urdu literary world, who used English for manuscript or outline purpose for his initial work before giving it a final shape. 

Munshi Premchand used to do most of his planning regarding his novels and stories in English before giving them a proper shape but his manuscripts were in English only. This is a fact, which has brought another rare fact into the knowledge of literary world per chance about his world-renowned novel ‘Godaan’. The outline of Godaan has been found with twelve points planned to be written in this novel but due to unavailability of first page first two the most crucial points, which could have thrown a better light on the ‘going on’ in the writer’s mind at the time of planning this novel. However, there are points #3 to #12 available in two pages, which are available for your ready reference. Let me try to put them here in my own version as using his version in original may not be considered right for copyright reasons.  

This is photocopy of his original outline how he had his book planned and his drawing available- created by a Japanese artist

 I shall try to discuss those points in a proper serial as available in the two papers 

NOTE- Do not read it in form of proper sentences as the outline is written in short sentences therefore some of these may not have a proper construction please. 

Point  section #3- (Remember first two points are missing) Hori buys a cow and the whole village comes to see it. Shobha is worried but Hira is jealous. Hira poisons the cow, Hori sees him doing so but does not report the matter to the police.

Point section #4- To celebrate Dushehra the entire villagers gather at the house of head of the village who wants to increase revenue on crops of Hori. Hori sells his barley crop. Hori wants to keep his face hidden because he wants to avoid village head but cannot do it. To impress village head is mandatory. Otherwise, the village head and party are kind and giving type. He narrates his version. Village head is also member of district board and wants to apply for nomination of head of the board’s election of the district board (This part is showing a cut mark with ink) The village head makes donations to the party funds and offer big feasts to the officers concerned to gain their favor. Farmers come satisfied after the function Gobar who is unmarried also goes to the function seeing Jhuniya there proposes to marry her. Jhuniya has no money - she surrenders.  

Point section #5-  Jhuniya has a son (daughter) local governing body, Gobar runs off to Calcutta. Local body fines him heavily. Hori must go to pilgrimage to make good of his son’s fault, expiation. He lends money from the local moneylender against his land, he is unable to pay the interest. Gobar does not come back.  There is no money or property, he is a daily wages labor now. His daughters accompany him for the labor job the whole mentality is changed.         

Point section #6- He is trying to get back the mortgaged property, daughter (sold- this portion is cut by the pencil mark) married, property released, property increased. Quarrel in between brothers, Hori gets a thrashing, court cases with brothers. Brothers imprisoned. Hori (to bring-cut) finds all this pleasant but takes care of his family in the end. 

Point section #7- sons of Bhola separated. Jhuniya died, his only daughter. Bhola looks after her child. (One of them becomes saint, gives property to sons) Village head takes care of girl- this part is cut with pen)   

Point section #8- The son of the village head an advocate is member of council. His family removes him from the family. Farmers pay respect to him, he is a social worker. 

Point # section 9- The younger daughter of Hori sold, Limited crop enough to pay for revenue only. To feed cattle, arrange for family meals, how to manage, physically weak, Jhinky doing lot of labor for livelihood. The old man sells his daughter unable to keep with the situation without telling to his wife about it and fabricates a story to keep his honor.

Point section # 10- Gober returns home with sober habits, explains his experiences. He has forgotten Jhuniya but after earning money with dubious means he finds himself on a sober point and comes back home soon. His father is on deathbed but does not allow him to stay Gober to enter house and Gobar goes back to old ways.

Point section #11- Bhola brings a very young widow as his wife. He comes to stay with Hori. A hut is made ready to accommodate him. He does not get a proper job so he begins stealing in the neighborhood. Jangi attracted to this woman, they meet occasionally, the woman leaves him and goes with Jangi one day, Bhola (dies due to shock- this line is cut) She lives with Bhola for years. His wife scolds him one day and beats with broom, end of Bhola.

Point section #12- Hori tries to carry on his life with difficulty, Gobar helps him indirectly through his mother who serves her husband with total care. Hori comes to end of his life and dies. Gobar donates cow for him, xxx , agriculture, exhibitions, development, literature, agitation, sugar mills, cooperative to be detailed. 

Let me give you an introduction of characters of the novel to understand you the above-mentioned description of the outline with somewhat easier way, although some of the characters you may not come across in this article. ‘Godaan’ means the gift of a cow to a Brahmin according to Hindu rituals, after the death of a person. Godaan was published originally in Hindi language as the last novel of Munshi Premchand in 1936 and later translated in English in the year 1987 in hardback and paperback both editions to keep cost as per the need of the reader.

-  Hori a farmer who is married to Dhaniya has two daughters and a son. Dhaniya is wife of Hori and is devoted to her husband who always supports her husband even in worst of conditions - Gobar is their only son.  Dattadin is typical village priest a greedy one who lends money to the needy on high interest rates. Matadin is his son . Bhola is a cow owner from the village nearby. Bhola a widower who has two sons both married and a widowed daughter, her name is Jhunia. Rai sahib a rich man the village head who has won the local elections twice. Miss Malati is a beautiful, intelligent  young lady, also a doctor brought up and educated in Europe. She is one of the three daughters of Mr.Kaul. She is  a popular figure in the parties around and does not mind flirting with influential people around her. Mr. Mehtais is a scholar and lecturar of philosophy in a college who is writing a book on Philosophy, which he dedicates to Malati. Mr. Khanna is a big industrialist and owns a big sugar industry - Govindi is his wife.- The description of outline above is a clear mirror of thoughts of Munshi Premchand and details about the way he planned his manuscript in simple sentences with simple thinking. If you go through points mentioned in section 3, you can clearly see that he has kept all his points intact in the novel as per his original plans. He has mentioned some of the points mentioned in section 4 but left some of these as he did not fit them in the manuscript or did not find them suitable, maybe he changed his mind at the time of writing. In the novel, the money offered by Hori comes from sale of bamboo but you can see them coming as sale of barley in outline of the book. In the novel the village head talks to Hori and there is no place, where Hori found hiding his face. Gober and Jhuniya meet for the first time while bringing the cow and not as per described in outline where they meet in a function.

-  There are many points which are missing from section 5 like there is no birth of daughter for Jhuniya but son and thee is no Gobar running off to Calcutta neither there is any village court. Hori is removed from his cast but did not go to pilgrimage neither he has to mortgage his property as described in outline. Most of the points mentioned in section 6 are also not there as well as the points are either not worth at the time of actual writing or the author changed his mind. It is not same with section 7 where Jhuniya does not have to die neither her child adopted by village head as mentioned in outlines. In section, # 8 there are many changes compared to outlines, son of the village head is entirely different from the character shown in outlines. He goes to England after marrying Saroj the younger sister of Malti and later claims for Rs one million from his father. Section 10, has some points in the novel as well as references of  Gober coming back sober as mentioned originally but not as a sober person, he is shown as an over smart instead and even Hori is not on deathbed but normal. 

-  For section # 11, there are references of Bhola as mentioned in the outlines but entirely different way. Bhola remarries but he does neither stay with his father as shown stealing neither illicit relation in between mother and the stepson as described in the outlines. In section 12 where the hero of the novel, Hori dies of heat stoke while out for labor’s job, not as per out line where he dies of illness. Finally, the Godaan the donation of cow is performed by Dhaniya and not by Gobar as found in outlines. 

The outlines found clearly display the mentality of the writer at the planning stage although some of that differs in the outcome in shape of the novel. The outlines also indicate the flexibility of the famous writer who could change his mind according to need of the time or according to time of actual creation of a character. 

This is Munshi Premchand for you 

Munshi Premchand was born on 31July 1880 in Samahi village near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. His father was serving at lower level in postal department. Premchand who was Dhanpat Rai then, passed high school with great difficulty but he always wanted to become a lawyer therefore decided to work as a tutor and stayed at the residence of an advocate. He was fond of reading novels and fulfilled his desire of reading novels sitting at the bookseller. His love for reading and simplicity toward life turned him into a prominent writer, which shows clearly in his writing style. Munshi Premchand is one of the greatest writers this country has ever had, a well-known figure all over the world. 

Munshi Premchand, who was a victim of poverty and abuses due to second marriage of his father had many problems to face during his childhood therefore could relate to such problems with realistic point of view as a one who had gone through these and his self experience. 

List of some of his popular books - Seva Sadan, Nirmala, Pratigya, Kaayakalp, Gaban, Karmabhoomi

He was working on ‘Mangalsootra’ at the time of his death therefore could not complete it. He is no more in this world today but his books will keep him alive foe ever.

Sathyan – his career is still a learning experience to many new actors of Mollywood. His full name is Satyanesan Nadar and he is considered as the second superstar after Malayalam, after Thikurussi Sukumaran Nair. When he left the world, Rajesh Khanna was just titled the first superstar of Indian cinema and it was a striking co-incidence that his life was somewhat similar to the blood cancer patient role played by the same actor, just 1 year before Sathyan’s death. Some appreciations and titles are given later, when their contributions are noted as whole! That’s the reason why he is unofficially named later as the superstar of Malayalam. He debut at his late 30’s and very soon rise to the stardom and till his death, he never looked back. By this time, he contributed his 20 valuable years to Malayalam film industry and was at the peak of his career.

He was aware of his limitations. His voice was not intense, he was short and black. He was suffering from blood cancer and fought against it for the last 20 years. Yet he overcame everything through his incredible acting skills and still, he is shining one among those rare twinkling stars of great actors Malayalam has ever seen onscreen. Today, November 9, 2012 is his 100th birthday. We are aware of the fact that he has left the world 40 years back. Yet, he is still alive in the hearts of millions of his fans for the memorable shades he has created on silver screen.

His most memorable roles

Those 20 years! He did many challenging roles that future stars are not able to reproduce with the same ampere or powerful screen performance. Sridharan Master of milestone movie, ‘Neela kuyil’, Pappu of ‘Odayail ninni’, Rajan of ‘Mudiyanaaya Puthran’, Palani of ‘Chemmeen’, Sudeendran of ‘Vaazvemaayam’, Appukuttan of ‘Kutyodathi’, Sreeni of ‘Yakshi’, Chellappan of ‘Anubhavangal Paalichakal’ – these are a few pearls among his 150 shades of his shining acting career. All these roles illuminated by lively performance of Sathyan are really remarkable milestones of Malayalam Cinema and still remain immortal in every Malayali’s heart.

He created a new magic on screen

When he entered the industry Malayalam movies were just an extension of drama, not movies. Silver screen was in a grip of overacting and over expressive actors and actresses. Through his silent and calm acting skills, Sathyan gave a new definition and direction to Malayalam cinema. He created a new path through which Malayalam industry is still walking ahead!

When many great literary works were translated to screen, Satyan was most benefited by those lively and realistic roles. He dared to cry before the camera without shyness and his remarkable performance as a rickshaw driver in the movie ‘Odayil Ninnu’, still wet eyes of its audience.

He was very plain in his character and never hesitated to respond if he saw foolishness around. In the last 5-10 years since his disease was detected, he kept himself alive through his busy schedule and daily shifts from studios to studios. But he kept his disease as a secret and never shared with anyone even if he was friendly with everyone in the studio, even a light boy.

He studied the characteristics of common man by looking around, either a rickshaw driver or a farmer working in the fields. He made use of those observations in the wide variety of roles he played. Though he was a big star he cared his light boys and makeup artists and he lived with his head held high, becoming a role model to many – both in reel life and real life.

He debut when he was 40!

He was born on November 9, 1912 in Aaramada near Thirumala of Thiruvananathapuram district in a Christian family as the son of Manuel and Lilli. His full name is Manuel Sathyanesan Nadar, but shortly called Sathyan. He passed Vidwan exam and became teacher in Thiruvananthapuram St.Joseph School. Very soon, he passed his SSLC exam and joined a clerical post in Thiruvananthapuram Secretariat. During Second World War, he became Subedar of British Army. When he returned he became the police inspector of Travancore. After Punnapra – Vayalar riots, he was appointed as the inspector in Alappuzha.

In 1951, he debut the silver screen through ‘Tyaga Seema’ and resigned his job to become full time actor. But his first movie was not released and it was ‘Aatma sakhi’ of 1952 which marked the entry of Satyaneshan as Sathyan to Mollywood. In 1952, when Uroob’s literary piece Neelakuyil was made a movie, it saw the rise of a new sun in Malayalam movies. That blockbuster movie is still considered as a milestone of Malayalam film industry.

His film journey after Neelakuyil

In Yakshi as a psychiatric patient, in Aswamedam and Doctor as doctor, in Tacholi Othenan as true warrier, in Bharya as a murderer of his wife, in Chemmeen as fisherman, in Karthika as rowman – he gave both positive and negative shades to his innumerable roles. The great directors of 50’s and 60’s, K.S.Sethu Madhavan, Vincent and Ramu Karyat made use of the caliber of this flexible actor to its perfection.

He never gave importance to his star image while choosing roles. If so, he would have never done the role of a father of three kids, in the movie Bharya, who kills his wife hearing his lover’s words. This movie was based on controversial Thiruvalla Ammalu murder case. He handled the roles of hero, anti-hero and old man and won everyone’s heart through his lively screen presence.

His achievements were at the later stage of his life

In 1969, when Kerala state announced film awards for the first time, he was selected as the best actor for his memorable role as Narayana Kaimal in the movie Kadal Palam. Actually, he did a double role in the movie – both the roles of father and son.

In 1971, he won his second and last award as best actor for his performance in the movies Sarasayya and Karakaana kadal. But the award was given posthumously. How many awards have he lost since them and how many characters lost by Malayalam film industry through his sudden death!

Vaazhvemaayam, Karakanakadal and Anubhavangal Paalichakal were his last movies and performances in these 3 movies were critically acclaimed. He died before the completion of Anubhavangal Paalichakal and hence the movie was picturised as hero hanged in the end, accused for a murder. His face was also not shown as the last scenes were done by a body double. The role he played as a communist rebel was entirely different from his previous roles and his performance was excellent. This film also marked the debut of Mega star Mammooty to silver screen, though it was a small role.

Chemmeen still ranked as classic among Indian movies

Each and every particle of this movie is treasured as a precious ruby by millions of its fans. This movie was released in 1962 and brought National awards to this small state for the first time. Still, if inflation figures are considered, no Malayalam movie is born till now to break its box office records. It’s a celluloid presentation of Thakazhy’s famous novel Chemmeen and still now this movie is considered to be the best with extra-ordinary performances, magical direction and wonderful music by Salil Chaudary.

The love triangle story revolves around three people - the fisherwoman Karuthamma, her Muslim lover Pareekutty and her husband Palany. Satyan did 100% justification to his role as a husband who knows well about his wife’s history. Though he knows well that his wife still can’t forget her lover he loves her a lot and buries his sorrows inside. In the end when sea takes his life and lovers suicide, it fills a strange feeling in the soul of audience. It gives a belief that a fisherwoman should be sacred even in her thoughts; otherwise her husband won’t return back from sea. Sheela did the role of Karuthamma and Madhu gave life to Pareekutty.

His last moments

All were just stories as he didn’t share any worries with anyone. Everyone in the film sets believed that he was fighting against blood cancer for the past 5-10 years and that he used to drive alone in his car to Chennai once in a week for blood transfusion. But it’s true, he was seen tired in the sets during his last days. Yet, when he hears the word ‘action’, he forgets everything and changes himself to another character. That was the secret mantra of Sathyan to overcome his disease. At last, in 1971 June 15 at 4.30 early morning, he died in Madras King George Hospital at the age of 61. So, it was exactly 20 years since he joined the film industry. But truth is that ‘those shining stars’ never die in the heart of their admirers and still alive through the shining roles they have played onscreen.

If someone asks, who the best actor of golden era of Malayalam movies was, no one will find difficulty in answering this question and through this article, I have just remembered the honourable contributions given by this great actor of Malayalam and it’s my humble effort to show my respect towards him.

Rabindranath Tagore was born on seventh May 1861 at Northern Calcutta  in the Bengal state. He was the youngest among the twelve siblings. His elder siblings used to call Rabindranath Tagore as Rabi. Faircolor babies are naturally  liked most. Rabindranath was  less fair compared to his elder siblings. His elder sister Saudamini used to say “My Rabi may be dark and not so fair, but he will outshine all the others.” Rabindranath Tagore's mother died when he was in his childhood.

Rabindranath Tagore's Interests when Childhood

Rabindranath Tagore always used to daydream about far away places. He loved  nature. When others were busy elsewhere, he would enjoy the beauty of nature. He loved to look at the pond, the banyan tree, the coconut grove. Another source of joy for him was the world of tales amd fable, rhymes and songs to which some of maids and servants initiated him. After learning alphabets, he started scribbling. The atmosphere at home imbibed him to the world of music.  

The first nursery rhyme that he learnt opened the gateway to the magic of the poetry. The Rhyme was the eye-opener for him. The rhyme left the very, very deep impression in his mind. He then realized rhyme is very, very important in writing poetry. He used to read the poetry of Bengal poets in his early age. He began writing when he was at the age of 8.

Education at Home

Tagore received his education at home itself. One day, Rabindranath Tagore realized that his elder brother and his nephew were going to school in the carriage. He also started crying for getting the same privilege. His tutor got very  angry with him and said "You are crying to go to school today. But the day is not far off when you will cry a lot more to stay away from school." The tutor said it very harshly. Tagore wrote in his biography "Never in my life have I heard a truer prophecy." Later he avoided classroom schooling and preferred home schooling..

Rabindranath Tagore wished that all children enjoy school life. So he founded a school for the children to fulfill his wishes. He named the school as "Abode of peace". "Santiniketan" the word from Bengal have the meaning of "Abode of Peace". The school had a very, very best elements that are nature and freedom. He used to say "I fled from school after the fifth grade," he said, laughing, "That is why I opened Santiniketan under the shade of trees and the glories of the sky. He wrote many stories about the children.

List of his Writings

• Poetry
• Short-Stories
• Song Composer
• Playwright
• Essay
• Painting

Some poetry listings

• Songs of Bhanusimha Thakur (1884)
• The ideal one (1890)
• The Golden Boat (1894)
• Song offerings (1910)
• Wreath of songs (1914)
• The Flight of Cranes (1916)
• The post office (1912)
• The immovable (1912)
• The Waterfall (1922)
• Red oleanders (1926)

Some Adopted Novels and Short Stories

Hindi

• Sacrifice -1927
• Milan -1947

Bengali

• Natir Puja - 1932
• Naukadubi - 1947

Later he suffered from chronic pain and prlonged illness. For about four years, he suffered from  illness(19371941). He died at the age of 80 (7th August 1941).