One of the greatest Kathak dancers of all time, Sitara Devi, was also an actress and singer of early Indian cinema and apeared in many iconic films like Al Hilal, Watan, Roti, Phool, and Mother India. Sitara Devi is considered the pioneer of Katahk, who introduced the dance form to the whole world through her performances.
“If there is one woman who goes beyond the woman’s body and dances like a man, it is Sitara…!” It reminds me of what the 13th c Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin said of an extremely powerful woman Sufi saint of Delhi – Hazrat Bibi Fatima Sam – “When a lion emerges out of the forest, nobody asks if it is male or female…”
Birju Maharaj on Sitara Devi
Early Life
Sitara Devi was born Dhanalakshmi on November 8, 1920, in Kolkata. She was born into a Brahmin family of musicians and dancers originally from Varanasi. Her father, Sukhdev Maharaj, was a legendary Kathak dancer and teacher as well as a Sanskrit scholar. Her mother, Matsya Kumari, also came from a community of performing artists. Sitara Devi’s birth coincided with the festival of Dhanteras, and she was named Dhanlakshmi in honour of the goddess of good fortune. Her sisters Alaknanda and Tara, and her brothers Chaube and Pande went on to become celebrated dancers. Her nephew, the son of her sister Tara, was legendary Pt. Gopi Krishna.
From a young age, Sitara Devi was immersed in the world of dance. Her father, who had a deep passion for classical dance, established a school to teach Kathak to children. His disciples included his own daughters and sons. Sitara Devi’s dancing style was a blend of the Benaras and Lucknow Gharanas, characterised by a combination of grace, elegance, and expressive gestures.
Sitara Devi – Nritya Samragni
Sitara Devi’s journey to fame began when she was just a child. At the age of eight, she resisted an arranged marriage and insisted on continuing her education. While attending Kamachhagarh High School, she performed an impromptu dance sequence during a cultural program, which earned her the role of Savitri in a dance drama. This performance marked the beginning of her illustrious career.
Her talent soon caught the attention of Rabindranath Tagore, who affectionately described her as “Nritya Samragni,” meaning the empress of dance, after watching her perform at the age of sixteen. This title would stay with her throughout her life.
In her long and legendary career Sitara Devi gets numerous accolades. She also performed at many prestigious venues both in India and abroad. Her performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1967 and at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1976 are part of the history nopw. Sitara Devi’s energy, grace, and intricate footwork, which left audiences spellbound.
Although her forte was Kathak, she was also an accomplished dancer in many other styles of dancing, including Bharatanatyam and many forms of folk dances of India. She also learnt the Russian ballet and other dances of the western world. She composed many Kathak pieces, including todas and parans, and created dance items based on stories, similar to those seen in Bharatanatyam.
Sitara Devi In Films
In addition to her stage performances, Sitara Devi also appeared in several Hindi films, where she showcased her dancing skills. She made her film debut in 1934 with “Shaher Ka Jadoo,” followed by films like Mehboob Khan’s “Al Hilal (1935),” P.C. Barua’s “Devdas (1935),” “Vasantsena (1934),” “Anokhi Mohabbat (1934),” “Watan (1938),” “Baghban (1938),” “Achhut (1939),” “Holi (1940),” “Zindagi (1940),” Usha Haran (1940), “Swami (1941),” “Roti (1942),” “Aabroo (1943),” “Phool (1945),” “”Badi Maa (1945),” Nagina (1951),” and many more.
She also made a cameo in Mehboob Khan’s 1957 epic “Mother India.” In the film, she performed a Holi dance dressed as a boy in the film, and this was her last dance in any movie. She stopped working in movies in 50s, “Anjali (1957),” directed by Chetan Anand was perhaps her last movie.
Sitara Devi – The Singer
Sitara Devi was also an accomplished singer, and made her singing debut in 1938 film Baghban under music direction off Mirza Musharraf. She sang two songs “Aao Ral Mil Ke Jhoolen,” “Hori Khelo Hori Khelo Re Shyam” in the film. One of her most significant film was Mehboob Khan’s Watan where she sang under Anil Biswas. Her Ghazal “Hum Dil Mein Soz-E-Ishq Ko Pinha Kiye Hue,” “Kyon Humne Diya Dil Tha Kiska Ishara,” were well recievd. She also sang in Mehboob Khan’s films like Roti and Najma. Her songs from these films were “Joban Umdaaye Nayan Rasiyaaye,” “Sajna Saanjh Bhayi,” (Roti),” and “Jal Ja Jal Ja Patange Hanse Hanste Jal Ja (Najma).”
Some of her other songs include “Main Chhoti Si Pyali (Gorakh Aya),” “Badli Ot Chhip Chhip Jaye ( Postman),” “Chidiya Choon Choon Karti ( Professor Waman M.Sc.),” “Main Albeli Titli Re Phulwa (Meri Ankhen),” “Duniya Deewani Duniya Deewani,” “Mere Man Ki Been Baja,” (Nadi Kinare), “Dagaa De Ke Chale Gaye Ho Baalam,” “Solah Baras Dukh Kaate Kate Na Ab Rain Saiyan,” (Aaj Ka Hindustan), “Main Bansi Banoon Bansidhar Ki (Achhut),” “Phagun Ki Rut Aayi Re (Holi),” “Jeevan Madhur Banayen Aao Pyar Karen (Sawmi),” “Ab Der Na Kar Saajan,” ” Thari Jal Jaaye Lambardari,” ( Dukh Sukh), “Gori Baanke Nayan Se Chalaye Jadua,” “Haye Kisi Ki Yaad Sataye,” (Aabroo), “Bhanwra Re Hum Pardesi Log (Andhera),” “Din Phire Bhaag Jaane Hamare (Bhalai),” “Chupke Chupke Mere Dil Mein Aaye,” “Mere Dilruba Aaja,” (Chand), ” Bhoole Se Dil Tujhe Na Bhulaye To Kya Karoon (Amar Asaha),” and many more.
Personal Life
Sitara Devi was married four times; there is not much in the public domain about her first husband, Desai. She the married actor, director and producer. Nazir Ahmed Khan, who migrated to Pakistan after partition.
She then married K. Asif, the director of the film “Mughal-e-Azam,” and after separating with Asif, to Pratap Barot. Both marriages ended, but she remained close to her children, Ranjit Barot, a drummer and musician, and Jayanti Mala, a Kathak dancer.
Despite facing health issues in her later years, Sitara Devi continued to dance and remained active in the dance community. She was known for her zest for life and her dedication to her art.
Sitara Devi passed away on November 25, 2014, at the age of 94. Her legacy lives on through her contributions to the world of Kathak and her influence on future generations of dancers. She was a true pioneer who broke barriers and paved the way for women in the field of classical dance.
Sitara Devi’s life and works continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world. Her dedication to her art and her indomitable spirit make her a timeless icon in the world of dance.
Sitara Devi on IMDB
