Nanda Padalgal

[Aide Broeckel]

Nandaarouses different emotions in different people. I know she does in me. In a weepy family drama like Bhabhi or Chhoti Bahen, she can be far too melodramatic, too easy to dismiss. Few people list her as one of the greatest actresses of the Hindi silver screen. Even fewer think of her as one of the most gorgeous faces, or the best dancers (far from it!) of the 50s and 60s.

6. Jo humpe guzarti hai (Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain, 1965): Shashi Kapoor started his acting career as an adult in a none-too-heartening way, because no actresses were willing to work opposite this newcomer, even if he was from the illustrious Kapoor clan. Except for Nanda, who agreed to work with him in Mehendi Lagi Mere Haath, and went on to be his co-star in a slew of other films, including Jab Jab Phool Khile, Raja Saab, Neend Hamaari, Khwaab Tumhaare, and Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain.

Yet, I felt indescribably sad when I heard of her death. From all that was written about her, and from interviews with costars over the years, she seemed to have been a gentle soul, kind and cheerful. When good people die, the loss is two-fold. Thank you for writing such a heartfelt tribute to her that celebrates her strengths.

Oh, yes, Raja. That trademark Nanda smile. :-) So sweet, and so adorable. She may not have been a classic beauty like Madhubala, but that smile could project so much shy sweetness, I always got the impression that Nanda was possibly a very nice person in real life too.

I liked Nanda a lot. She was gentle, graceful and had the sweetest of smiles. All this remained intact in her later years too from what one saw in some rare pictures.

Like many of the actresses of her time she too started as a child artiste to support her family. I found this song of a little known film from 1957 called Laxmi. So young and fresh.

Lovely tribute. Among the songs you listed, I like Waadiyan mera daaman, Allah tero naam and Yeh samaa, samaa hai yeh pyaar ka. I also like the duet Humne jo dekhe sapne from Parivar that Coolone posted. There is a good title song from Mehndi lagi mere haath mein picturised on her. This song was extremely popular at that time. The link is here: =player_detailpage&v=l4PkByU1NbE

nanda ji death anniversary was on 25th march. i saw a post in which i saw rare pics of her. shashi ji always had praise for her. i read tributes on her. even mala sinha ji came to give interview. she was a gentle lady as waheeda ji, aasha ji, saira ji and manoj kumar said. when ever i watch ek pyar ka nagma hai. i feel she is the soul. thank god sharmila ji backed out. i think nanda ji was best for this. my favorite of hers is jab jab phool khiley and itefaq.

whenever i watch Ek pyaar ka nagma hai. i get remembered of my mother when i see nanda ji . i feel nanda ji represent common women. and the child when i see i feel i am that child with my mother. i cannot watch that song. it makes me emotional. now i feel any other actress should have been there.

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