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{{Short description|Singer (1906-1965)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Amirbai Karnataki
| native_name = ಅಮೀರಬಾಯಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಿ
| name = Amirbai Karnataki
| image =
| image = Amirbai Karnataki enhanced.jpg
| caption =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Bagalkote]], [[Karnataka]], [[British India]]
| caption = Amirbai in the film ''Jadui Bansuri''
| image_size =
| birth_date = 1906
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1965|3|3|1906}}
| alias =
⚫
| death_place = [[India]]
| birth_name =
⚫
| instrument = Vocalist
⚫
| birth_place = [[Bagalkote]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
⚫
| genre = [[Playback singer|Playback singing]]
| birth_date = 1906
⚫
| occupation = Singer, actor
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1965|3|3|1906}}
⚫
| years_active = 1935 – 1961
⚫
| death_place = [[India]]
⚫
| instrument = Vocalist
⚫
| genre = [[Playback singer|Playback singing]]
⚫
| occupation = Singer, actor
⚫
| years_active = 1935–1961
}}
}}
'''Amirbai Karnataki''' (c. 1906 &ndash; 3 March 1965) was a famous actress/singer and [[playback singer]] of the early [[Hindi cinema]] and was famous as ''Kannada Kokila''. [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was an ardent fan of her song ''[[Vaishnav Jan To]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/she-was-the-love-song/article6941336.ece|title=She was the love song|last=Ganesh|first=Deepa|date=2015-02-27|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
'''Amirbai Karnataki''' ({{Circa|1906}} &ndash; 3 March 1965) was a famous actress/singer and [[playback singer]] of the early [[Hindi cinema]] and was famous as ''Kannada Kokila''. [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was an ardent fan of her song ''[[Vaishnav Jan To]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/she-was-the-love-song/article6941336.ece |title=She was the love song |last=Ganesh |first=Deepa |date=27 February 2015 |newspaper=The Hindu newspaper|access-date=15 April 2024|language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=1 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101183705/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/she-was-the-love-song/article6941336.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=cinemaazi/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Amirbai Karnataki was born in [[Bilgi, Karnataka|Bilgi]] town, District of [[Bagalkote]] in [[Karnataka]] into a middle-class family.<ref name=womenonrecord>[http://www.womenonrecord.com/music-makers/artists/zohrabai-amirbai-rajkumari Profile of Amirbai Karnataki on womenonrecord.com website] Retrieved 4 July 2019</ref> Of all of her five sisters, Amirbai and her elder sister, Gauharbai, earned fame and fortune. Amirbai completed her matriculation and went to [[Bombay]] at the age of fifteen.
Amirbai Karnataki was born in [[Bilgi, Karnataka|Bilgi]] town, [[Bijapur district, Karnataka]] into a middle-class family.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=cinemaazi>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/people/amirbai-karnataki|url-status=dead|website=Cinemaazi.com website|archive-date=7 December 2021|access-date=15 April 2024|title=Amirbai Karnataki (singer) - profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207214214/https://www.cinemaazi.com/people/amirbai-karnataki}}</ref> Of all of her five sisters, Amirbai and her elder sister, Gauharbai, earned fame and fortune. Amirbai completed her matriculation and went to [[Bombay]] at the age of 25 in 1931.<ref name=cinemaazi/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bukhary |first=Aaliya |date=2024-07-03 |title=Amirbai Karnataki: Echoes Of The Singer's Legacy In Indian Cinema {{!}} #IndianWomenInHistory |url=https://feminisminindia.com/2024/07/03/amirbai-karnataki-echoes-of-the-singers-legacy-in-indian-cinema-indianwomeninhistory/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Feminism in India |language=en-GB}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Amirbai was a talented singer and actress, who was fluent in [[Kannada language|Kannada]] (mother tongue) and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] languages. "Mahre te gamray ek baar aawjo" is one of her famous Gujarati songs from the film ''Ranrakdevi'', with music composer Avinash Vyas. A representative from HMV Label music company was so impressed by her singing talent that he made her sing a [[Qawwali]], which became very popular. This qawwali song was for the film [[Zeenat (1945 film)|''Zeenat'']] (1945) by film producer-director [[Shaukat Hussain Rizvi]].<ref name=IMDb>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154026/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd Soundtrack of Amirbai Karnataki on IMDb website] Retrieved 4 July 2019</ref> Her elder sister, Gauherbai, was an actress and helped Amirbai get a role in the film ''Vishnu Bhakti'' in 1934.
Amirbai was a talented singer and actress, who was fluent in [[Kannada]] (mother tongue) and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] languages. "Mahre Te Gaamde Ek Vaar Aavjo" is one of her famous Gujarati songs from the film ''Ranak Devi (1946)'', with music composer Avinash Vyas. A representative from HMV Label music company was so impressed by her singing talent that he made her sing a [[Qawwali]], which became very popular. This qawwali song was for the film [[Zeenat (1945 film)|''Zeenat'']] (1945) by film producer-director [[Shaukat Hussain Rizvi]]. She sung her most famous duet song with Lata Mangeshkar "Gore Gore O Banke Chhore" Film: Samadhi. Her elder sister, Gauherbai, was an actress and helped Amirbai get a role in the film ''Vishnu Bhakti'' in 1934.<ref name=cinemaazi/>


Initially, Amirbai sang songs in films, but they failed to attain the success she desired. In 1943, with the release of [[Bombay Talkies]]' ''[[Kismet (1943 film)]]'', she achieved popularity: the songs of ''Kismet'' became a rage and Amirbai became famous. The man behind the success was the composer [[Anil Biswas (composer)|Anil Biswas]]. She was initially known as a singing star, but at the decline of her career, she became a playback singer. She reached her career peak by 1947.
Initially, Amirbai sang songs in films, but they failed to attain the success she desired. In 1943, with the release of [[Bombay Talkies]]' ''[[Kismet (1943 film)]]'',<ref name=":0"/> she achieved popularity: the songs of ''Kismet'' became a rage and Amirbai became famous. The man behind the success was the composer [[Anil Biswas (composer)|Anil Biswas]]. She was initially known as a singing star, but at the decline of her career, she became a playback singer. She reached her career peak by 1947.<ref name=cinemaazi/>


After 1947, [[Lata Mangeshkar]] became a rising star, so once again Amirbai switched over to acting.<ref name=womenonrecord/> In her later years, she mostly played character roles. Amirbai also composed music for Wahab Pictures' film ''Shehnaaz'' (1948). In the same year she almost left Hindi Cinema for [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] and [[Marwari language|Marwari]] films.<ref name=womenonrecord/> One of the famous film magazines "Film India" had mentioned in one of its articles that at that time in the 20th century when other singers used to get Rs. 500 for singing a song, Amirbai used to get Rs. 1000 per recording.
After 1947, [[Lata Mangeshkar]] became a rising star, so once again Amirbai switched over to acting.<ref name=":0"/> In her later years, she mostly played character roles. Amirbai also composed music for Wahab Pictures' film ''Shehnaaz'' (1948). In the same year she almost left Hindi Cinema for [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] and [[Marwari language|Marwari]] films. One of the famous film magazines "Film India" had mentioned in one of its articles that at that time in the 20th century, when other singers used to get Rs. 500 for singing a song, Amirbai used to get Rs. 1000 per recording.<ref name=cinemaazi/>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Amirbai's married life was full of ups and downs. Her first marriage was with the film actor Himalay Vala (aka Afzal Qureshi). He was a well-known actor for playing villainous roles in the movies. He used to beat Amirbai frequently after marriage, and spent most of her earnings for his personal leisure. Amirbai had to put a fake smile on her face while performing as an actress and even while singing in studios. Famous Gujarati writer Bhai Ranjan Kumar Pandaya has mentioned Amirbai's married life struggles in detail. He says that Amirbai's elder sister Ahilya Bai, yearning for justice, one late night went to the famous Gujarati lawyer Chelshankar Vyas. She told Vyas that Himalay Vala took a handsome amount and Amirbai's car in return for a divorce. And the very next day, he had even kidnapped her publicly from a recording studio. He had imprisoned her in a room and was repeatedly beating her. Even the police were with Himalay Vala. Chelshankar Vyas, taking into account all these allegations, decided to help her. He used his societal status and judicial understanding and finally got a divorce for Amirbai from her husband. In the year 1947, when India got partitioned between India and Pakistan, Himalayawala went to Pakistan and earned himself a good reputation as a talented actor. Here in India, Amirbai got married for the second time with Badri Kaanchwala, the editor of ''Paras'', who was a better husband.<ref name=":0" />
Amirbai's married life was full of ups and downs. Her first marriage was to the film actor Himalyavala (aka Afzal Qureshi).<ref name=":0"/> He was well-known for playing villainous roles in the movies. He used to beat Amirbai frequently after their marriage, and spent most of her earnings for his personal leisure. Amirbai had to put a fake smile on her face while performing as an actress and even while singing in studios. Famous Gujarati writer Bhai Ranjan Kumar Pandaya has recounted Amirbai's married life in detail. He says that Amirbai's elder sister Ahilya Bai, yearning for justice, one late night went to the famous Gujarati lawyer Chelshankar Vyas. She told Vyas that Himalayavala took a handsome amount and Amirbai's car in return for a divorce. The very next day, he had even kidnapped her publicly from a recording studio. He had imprisoned her in a room and was repeatedly beating her. Even the police sided with Himalayavala. Chelshankar Vyas, taking into account all these allegations, decided to help her. He used his societal status and judicial understanding and finally got a divorce for Amirbai.
In 1947, when [[Partition of India|India was partitioned]] into [[Dominion of India|India]] and [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]], Himalayavala went to Pakistan and earned himself a good reputation as a talented actor. In India, Amirbai got married for the second time to Badri Kaanchwala, the editor of ''Paras'', who was a better husband.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=cinemaazi/>


==Selected songs==
==Selected songs==
*"O' Jaanay Waalay Balamwa Laut Kay Aa Laut Kay Aa" Sung by Amirbai Karnataki and Shyam Kumar, lyrics by [[D. N. Madhok]] and music by [[Naushad Ali]] in the film [[Rattan (film)|''Rattan'']] (1944)<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037213/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd Soundtrack of Amirbai Karnataki on IMDb website] Retrieved 4 July 2019</ref>
*"O' Jaanay Waalay Balamwa Laut Kay Aa, Laut Kay Aa" Sung by Amirbai Karnataki and Shyam Kumar, lyrics by [[D. N. Madhok]] and music by [[Naushad Ali]] in the film [[Rattan (film)|''Rattan'']] (1944)<ref name=cinemaazi/>
*"Dheere Dheere Aa Re, Baadal", from the film ''Kismat'' (1943)
*"Dheere Dheere Aa Re, Baadal", from the film [[Kismet (1943 film)|Kismet]] (1943 film).<ref name=":0"/><ref name=cinemaazi/>
*"Priya madhuvanadali", a [[Kannada]] song, sung by Amirbai, which is so popular all over Karnataka even today.
*"Priya madhuvanadali", a [[Kannada]] song, sung by Amirbai, which is popular all over Karnataka even today<ref name=cinemaazi/>


==Death==
==Death==
She had a [[Paralysis|paralytic attack]] in 1965, died just four days later, and was buried in her hometown. A cinema hall is still run in the name of "Amir Talkies" in the city of [[Vijayapura]] (Bijapur), by her family.
She had a [[Paralysis|paralytic attack]] in 1965, and died just four days later.<ref name=cinemaazi/> She was buried in her hometown. A cinema hall is still run in the name of "Amir Talkies" in the city of [[Vijayapura]] (Bijapur), by her family.<ref name=cinemaazi/>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
* ''Amirbai Karnataki'' written in Kannada by [[Rahamat Tarikere]]<ref>https://sapnaonline.com/ameerbai-karnataki-rahamath-tarikere-pallava-prakashana-9789381920275-1621001</ref>
* ''Amirbai Karnataki'' written in Kannada by [[Rahamat Tarikere]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sapnaonline.com/ameerbai-karnataki-rahamath-tarikere-pallava-prakashana-9789381920275-1621001 |title=Ameerbai Karnataki: Rahamath Tarikere: Kannada Books at SapnaOnline |website=sapnaonline.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213023416/https://sapnaonline.com/ameerbai-karnataki-rahamath-tarikere-pallava-prakashana-9789381920275-1621001 |archive-date=13 December 2014}}</ref>
* {{cite book|title=Amirbai Karnataki (translation by Prashant Kulkarni) |url=http://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books/details/4960116951099938816?BookName=Ameerbai-Karnatki |publisher= Granthali|year= 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150104195857/http://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books/details/4960116951099938816?BookName=Ameerbai-Karnatki|archive-date = 4 January 2015}}
* {{cite book |title=Amirbai Karnataki (translation by Prashant Kulkarni) |url=http://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books/details/4960116951099938816?BookName=Ameerbai-Karnatki |publisher=Granthali |year=2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104195857/http://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books/details/4960116951099938816?BookName=Ameerbai-Karnatki |archive-date=4 January 2015}}


==References==
==References==
Line 49: Line 48:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.citwf.com/person239755.htm Amirbai Karnataki filmography on Complete Index To World Film (C.I.T.W.F.) website]
* {{IMDb name|id=0439793}}, Filmography of Amirbai Karnataki
* {{IMDb name|id=0439793}}, Filmography of Amirbai Karnataki


Latest revision as of 22:23, 7 January 2025

Amirbai Karnataki
Born1906
Bagalkote, Karnataka, British India
Died3 March 1965(1965-03-03) (aged 58–59)
India
GenresPlayback singing
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
InstrumentVocalist
Years active1935 – 1961

Amirbai Karnataki (c. 1906 – 3 March 1965) was a famous actress/singer and playback singer of the early Hindi cinema and was famous as Kannada Kokila. Mahatma Gandhi was an ardent fan of her song Vaishnav Jan To.[1][2]

Early life

[edit]

Amirbai Karnataki was born in Bilgi town, Bijapur district, Karnataka into a middle-class family.[1][2] Of all of her five sisters, Amirbai and her elder sister, Gauharbai, earned fame and fortune. Amirbai completed her matriculation and went to Bombay at the age of 25 in 1931.[2][3]

Career

[edit]

Amirbai was a talented singer and actress, who was fluent in Kannada (mother tongue) and Gujarati languages. "Mahre Te Gaamde Ek Vaar Aavjo" is one of her famous Gujarati songs from the film Ranak Devi (1946), with music composer Avinash Vyas. A representative from HMV Label music company was so impressed by her singing talent that he made her sing a Qawwali, which became very popular. This qawwali song was for the film Zeenat (1945) by film producer-director Shaukat Hussain Rizvi. She sung her most famous duet song with Lata Mangeshkar "Gore Gore O Banke Chhore" Film: Samadhi. Her elder sister, Gauherbai, was an actress and helped Amirbai get a role in the film Vishnu Bhakti in 1934.[2]

Initially, Amirbai sang songs in films, but they failed to attain the success she desired. In 1943, with the release of Bombay Talkies' Kismet (1943 film),[1] she achieved popularity: the songs of Kismet became a rage and Amirbai became famous. The man behind the success was the composer Anil Biswas. She was initially known as a singing star, but at the decline of her career, she became a playback singer. She reached her career peak by 1947.[2]

After 1947, Lata Mangeshkar became a rising star, so once again Amirbai switched over to acting.[1] In her later years, she mostly played character roles. Amirbai also composed music for Wahab Pictures' film Shehnaaz (1948). In the same year she almost left Hindi Cinema for Gujarati and Marwari films. One of the famous film magazines "Film India" had mentioned in one of its articles that at that time in the 20th century, when other singers used to get Rs. 500 for singing a song, Amirbai used to get Rs. 1000 per recording.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Amirbai's married life was full of ups and downs. Her first marriage was to the film actor Himalyavala (aka Afzal Qureshi).[1] He was well-known for playing villainous roles in the movies. He used to beat Amirbai frequently after their marriage, and spent most of her earnings for his personal leisure. Amirbai had to put a fake smile on her face while performing as an actress and even while singing in studios. Famous Gujarati writer Bhai Ranjan Kumar Pandaya has recounted Amirbai's married life in detail. He says that Amirbai's elder sister Ahilya Bai, yearning for justice, one late night went to the famous Gujarati lawyer Chelshankar Vyas. She told Vyas that Himalayavala took a handsome amount and Amirbai's car in return for a divorce. The very next day, he had even kidnapped her publicly from a recording studio. He had imprisoned her in a room and was repeatedly beating her. Even the police sided with Himalayavala. Chelshankar Vyas, taking into account all these allegations, decided to help her. He used his societal status and judicial understanding and finally got a divorce for Amirbai.

In 1947, when India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, Himalayavala went to Pakistan and earned himself a good reputation as a talented actor. In India, Amirbai got married for the second time to Badri Kaanchwala, the editor of Paras, who was a better husband.[1][2]

Selected songs

[edit]
  • "O' Jaanay Waalay Balamwa Laut Kay Aa, Laut Kay Aa" Sung by Amirbai Karnataki and Shyam Kumar, lyrics by D. N. Madhok and music by Naushad Ali in the film Rattan (1944)[2]
  • "Dheere Dheere Aa Re, Baadal", from the film Kismet (1943 film).[1][2]
  • "Priya madhuvanadali", a Kannada song, sung by Amirbai, which is popular all over Karnataka even today[2]

Death

[edit]

She had a paralytic attack in 1965, and died just four days later.[2] She was buried in her hometown. A cinema hall is still run in the name of "Amir Talkies" in the city of Vijayapura (Bijapur), by her family.[2]

Biography

[edit]
  • Amirbai Karnataki written in Kannada by Rahamat Tarikere[4]
  • Amirbai Karnataki (translation by Prashant Kulkarni). Granthali. 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Ganesh, Deepa (27 February 2015). "She was the love song". The Hindu newspaper. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Amirbai Karnataki (singer) - profile". Cinemaazi.com website. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  3. ^ Bukhary, Aaliya (3 July 2024). "Amirbai Karnataki: Echoes Of The Singer's Legacy In Indian Cinema | #IndianWomenInHistory". Feminism in India. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Ameerbai Karnataki: Rahamath Tarikere: Kannada Books at SapnaOnline". sapnaonline.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014.
[edit]
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