Today is the death anniversary of India's popular Kathak dancer Sitara Devi on November 25. When she was just 16 years old, guru Rabindranath Tagore called her 'Dance Samrini' after seeing her dance. He enthralled people in India and different parts of the world with his dance form. On this special occasion, find out some unheard things about their lives...
Dancer Sitara Devi was born on November 8, 1920 in Kolkata. His father's name was Sukhdev Maharaj, a Kathak dancer and a Sanskrit scholar. His childhood name was Dhanlaxmi, because he was born to Dhanteras. He had two sisters Alaknanda and Tara. Sitara Devi had a struggling childhood. It is said that at the time of birth, his face was slightly crooked. So they were given to a maidservant. The maid cured their mouth and returned them to their parents. His father wanted him to learn dance too. He had to face criticism from his community. But his father did not change his opinion and managed to take the daughter to her destination.
He had learnt tricks from Kathak dance guru Lachhu Maharaj. Sitara Devi started performing solo at the age of about 10. Then, when his family came to Bombay (Mumbai), he performed Kathak at the Atiya Begum Palace. It was attended by select people from the country. Poet Rabindranath Tagore, freedom fighters Sarojini Naidu and Sir Kawasji Jahangir etc. Because of this, rabindranath tagore presented him with a shawl and Rs. He gave several presentations as well as acted in some Hindi films. He made his debut as a child artiste with the film 'Aurat Ka Dil'. He performed in the films Nagina (1951), Roti, Watan (1954) and Anjali (1957).
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