Jeevankala is one of the most famous dancer-actresses of the 1960s. She is known for her dances like “Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra,” “Chaandi ka badan sone ki nazar,” “Bada kaatil hai mera yaar,” “Reshamachya Reghanni Lal Kalya Dhagyani,” “Uthegi tumhari nazar dheere dheere,” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Jeevan Kala was born on June 29, 1944, in Poona, India, into the family of Datttrey Kamle and Gangu Bai. Her parents were actors in silent films. It was the time when the Mangeshkar family was also in Poona and used to stay in the same building. Reportedly, 14-year-old Lata Mangeshkar gave her the name “Jeevankala.” Jeevankala studied at Peshwa’s School in Huzoor Bagh till the 6th standard. She was trained at Kathak from a young age by Balasaheb Gokhle Guruji.

She was noticed by filmmaker Datta Dahrmadhikari, who cast her in Aker Jamale (1952) as a child artist. She also acted in the Marathi film “Teen Mule (1954).” While acting in films, she continues to learn dance and perform at various Ganpati festivals. In 1956, her family moved to Mumbai.
She also joined “Sureel Kala Kendra, a music academy for children that is being run by the Mangeshkar family, and has done many shows with Mangeshkars.
Debut of Jeevankala
She made her debut as a dancer in Vijay Bhatt’s “Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959),” where she appeared in the famous song “Ankhiyan Bhool gayi hain sona” as a dancer. The same year, she got a chance in K Amarnath’s “Kal Hamara Hai,” where she has two songs, “Aise Na Dekho Rasiya” and “Jao Rasiya Hato Jao Rasiya.” Her songs “Dil ka fasana koi na jaana” (Oomar Qaid, 1961), and “Bada kaatil hai mera yaar” (China Town, 1962), were also big hits.
She went on to appear in films like Zara Bachke (1959), Baazigar (1959), Chhoti Bahen (1959), Alamara Ki Beti (1960), Masoom (1960), Maya Machhendra (1960), Teer Aur Talwar (1960), Kismet Palat Ke Dekh (1961), Oomar Qaid (1961), Pyar Ki Dastan (1961), Sapera (1961), Shola Aur Shabnam (1961), Tel Malish Boot Polish (1961), Banarasi Thug (1962), China Town (1962), and many more.
Perhaps the most famous song of her life came in “Parasmani (1963),” when she danced to “Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra.” The same year, she danced on “Chaandi ka badan sone ki nazar” in Taj Mahal.


Acting Roles
Jeevankala started doing acting roles withC.S. Dubey’s Kismet Palat Ke Dekh (1961), with Anoop Kumar, Daljeet, and Durga Khote. She also played an important role in Shreeman Funtoosh (1961) with Kishore Kumar, Anoop Kumar and KumKum. In 1964 she paired opposite Ramesh Deo in C. Mohan’s Daivacha Khel (1964).
She followed it by character roles in films like “Zindagi Aur Khwab (1961),” “Chaar Darvesh (1964),” “Khooni Khazana (1964),” “Samson (1964),” “Aaya Toofan (1964),” “Mr. X in Bombay (1964),” “Bharat Milap (1965),” “Shreeman Funtoosh (1965),” “Himalay Ki God Mein (1965),” “Insaaf (1966),” “Raat Andheri Thi (1967),” “Johar in Bombay (1967),” “Saraswati Chandra (1968),” and “The Thief of Baghdad (1969),” among others.
Famous Songs
Some other famous songs of Jeevankala include “Baanke piya kaho haan dagabaaz ho” (Burma Road, 1962), “Uthegi tumhari nazar dheere dheere” (Ek Raaz, 1963), “Allah Kare Tu Bhi Aa Jaye” (Mr X in Bombay), and “Abhi Kamsin Ho Naadan Ho” (Aya Toofan, 1964). “Aa Aa Mere Dil Mein Sama” (Khooni Khazana, 1964), “Kya Ho Hay Kya Ho” (Panch Ratan), “Tu raat khadi thi chatt pe” (Himalay Ki God Mein), “Preet basi hai meri nas nas mein” (Neela Akash, 1965), “Hey nainwa nap her pher ke chalo” (Picnic, 1966), “Khuda huzoor ko meri bhi zindagi de de” (Sawan Ki Ghata, 1966), “Aajkal Ke Sabhi Naujawan” (Johar in Bombay, 1967), “Kisi ka agar dil tumko lootna ho” (Thief of Baghdad, 1968), and many more.
Personal Life
Jeevankala married famous writer and director Ram Kelkar. Kelker is known for writing films like Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Be-Iman (1972), Kalicharan (1976), Vishwanath (1978), Aasha (1980), Hero (1983), Khal Nayak (1993), and many more. Kelkert also diortectecd Duniyadari (1977), and Pyasi Anken (1983). Together, they have three children: Yogesh, Hemant, and Manisha Kelkar. Manish Kelkar also a famous actress of Marathi and Hindi films.
Jeevankala on IMDB