Even if Shakespearean literature
(symbolically said) is taken away from the world life continues to exist. Life
is independent and doesn’t depend on anything (including art) for its
existence. This is the beauty of life. Life has special relationship with art
and art makes life richer and meaningful. Art can be in any form literature,
music, painting and theatre. When the word theatre is uttered the name that
comes to our mind is Prithviraj Kapoor.
Prithviraj Kapoor was a pioneer in
the theatre world and the film industry. In the silent era of the films, he
started his career and in 1944, he founded travelling theatre and named it as
‘Prithvi Theatre’. He was born on 3rd November 1906 and died on 29th
May (last month) 1972. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1969 and Dadasaheb
Phalke award in 1971 for his contributions in Indian cinema. He played a
supporting role in the first talkie film ‘Alam Ara’ in 1931.
Kapoor played the role of Alexander
the Great in the film ‘Sikander’. His performance was much appreciated. Kapoor
remained a theatre man and regularly played onstage. He was a fine and a
versatile actor. Kapoor staged memorable plays in his Prithvi Theatre which was
highly influential and inspiring for young people to participate in the
independence movement and the Quit India movement. His memorable performance
was in ‘Mughal-E-Azam’ as Akbar the emperor. Kapoor also acted in the Kannada
movie ’Saakshatkara’ in 1971 and played the role of the father of Kannada
matinee idol Dr Rajkumar.
Many of the Prithvi Theatre actors
and technicians found their way in films. Raj Kapoor, his eldest son started
his own production unit and the real father Prithvi Kapoor played the reel
father of raj Kapoor in ‘Awara’ in 1951. His other sons Shammi Kapoor and
Shashi Kapoor became popular actors in Hindi films in their own right.
Prithviraj Kapoor also had a daughter, Urmila. (Two of his sons died at a young
age).
In 1996, the golden jubilee year of
founding Prithvi Theatre India post issued a special two rupee commemorative
stamp.
He is still remembered for his role
in Mughal-E-Azam as Emperor Akbar. Indeed, he was, in reel and also real life
lived like…….
An ‘Emperor’
No comments:
Post a Comment