Page 3 - Seniorstoday October 2023 Issue
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Publisher’s Note
Timeless Elegance
Elegance, a quality that transcends time, finds a that reflects on her superlative acting skills. In the
perfect embodiment in the timeless icon that is movie ‘C.I.D.’, she plays a good-hearted moll, her
Waheeda Rehman. With her grace, charm, and impish charm and dancing skills are all too evident
undeniable talent, Waheeda has captured the in the song ‘Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana’.
hearts of audiences worldwide for over six decades. Her natural grace and poise made her standout in
She embodies a rare and enduring elegance that Bollywood’s golden era.
sets her apart in the world of entertainment. Waheeda Rehman legacy is one of elegance
Conferred last month with the Dadasaheb Phalke that has left an indelible mark on the world of
Award for 2021, Waheeda Rehman was born on entertainment. Her timeless beauty, exceptional
February 3, 1938, to a Deccani Muslim family in talent, and gracious demeanour have captivated
Chengalpet of present-day Tamil Nadu, India. audiences for generations. The song ‘Chauvdhvin
Waheeda made her film debut with the Tamil ka chand ho ya aaftab ho jo bhi ho tum khuda ki
film Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum as a dancer. kasam lajwaab ho’ embodies the very essence of
However, the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi (1955) elegance and beauty of Waheeda Rehman.
released prior to that; where she again performed Elegance is not merely a superficial quality; it is a
to in a dance. Her performances caught the eye of reflection of one’s character, talent, and presence.
Hindi filmmaker Guru Dutt, whom she considered Waheeda’s versatile acting skills and gracious
her mentor. Dutt brought her to Bombay (present- demeanour personify elegance in its purest form.
day Mumbai) and cast her as Kamini in the crime Her enduring legacy reminds us that true elegance
thriller C.I.D. (1956). It was evident even then that is timeless and that it can leave an everlasting
Waheeda possessed a unique grace that would impression on the hearts of those who are fortunate
distinguish her throughout her career. enough to witness it. If Hollywood has Audrey
Waheeda’s on-screen presence exuded elegance Hepburn, Bollywood has Waheeda Rehman. She
as the dancer Rosie in ‘Guide’, the song ‘Piya is and always will be, a shining example of the
tose naina laage re’ was written for her. Her enduring power of elegance.
performances were characterised by a rare
sophistication that transcended her characters.
In the Black & White movie ‘Kagaj ke Phool’
where she plays Shanti, the song ‘Waqt ne kiya Vickram Sethi
kya haseen sitam’ has a very restrained quality Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #52 | OCTOBER 2023 3
