Durga Khote

Durga Khote (14 January 1905 − 22 September 1991) was an Indian actress, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her times, she remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around 200 films and numerous theatre productions.

Durga Khote
Durga Khote
Born
Vita Lad

(1905-01-14)14 January 1905
Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
Died22 September 1991(1991-09-22) (aged 86)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupationactor, film producer
Years active1931–1983
Awards
Honours

In 2000, in a millennium issue, India Today named her among "100 People Who Shaped India", noting: "Durga Khote marks the pioneering phase for women in Indian Cinema"[1] as she was one of the first women from respectable families to enter the film industry, thus breaking a social taboo.[2]

She also ranks among the top ten actresses in mother roles in Hindi cinema,[3] most notable among them were as Jodhabai in K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960); as Kaikeyi in Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap (1942); her other memorable roles as mother were in Charnon Ki Dasi (1941); Mirza Ghalib; Bobby (1973) and Bidaai (1974). She has received the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1983), for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Early life

Khote was born as Vita Lad, to a family which hailed from Goa and spoke Konkani at home.[4] Her father's name was Pandurang Shamrao Lad and her mother's name was Manjulabai.[4] She grew up in a large joint family in Kandewadi. She was educated at Cathedral High School and St. Xavier's College where she studied for B.A. While still a college-going teenager, she married into the Khote family and settled down with her husband.[5]

By the age of 26, Durga Khote was a widowed mother with two young sons; Bakul and Harin. She had to seek work in film to support her children. In doing so, she became a pioneer of sorts: She hailed from a traditional family and the film industry was regarded as the preserve of the base and the bawdy. Also, most of the female characters were played by men at the time.

Early career
Khote as Taramati in Ayodhyecha Raja.

Durga Khote debuted in a minor role in the obscure 1931 silent film Farebi Jaal, by the Prabhat Film Company, followed by Maya Machindra (1932). She was soon promoted to play heroine in the 1932 double version (Hindi and Marathi) Ayodhyecha Raja, another Prabhat film, which was the first ever Marathi talkie, and proved to be a runaway hit, where she played the role of Rani Taramati.[6] Indeed, she ventured yet another pioneering trend: Despite working closely with the Prabhat Film Company, she broke away from the "studio system" (exclusive contract with a studio to work in its films on a monthly salary) then in vogue and became one of the first "freelance" artistes of that era by working occasionally with the New Theatres, East India Film Co. (both at Calcutta), and Prakash Pictures.

In 1936, she played Saudamini in Amar Jyoti, which is one of her most memorable roles.[7][8] The characters played by her were very much like her regal personality and she commanded a screen presence even in front of legendary actors like Chandra Mohan, Sohrab Modi and Prithviraj Kapoor [9].

In 1937, she produced and directed a film titled Saathi, making her one of the first women to step into this role in Indian cinema.[10] The 40s opened for her in a big way, with award-winning performances in Aachary Atre's Payachi Dasi (Marathi) and Charnon Ki Dasi (Hindi) (1941) and Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap (1942), both of which got her the BFJA Best Actress Award for two consecutive years.

Durga Khote remained active in the theatre circuit for many years, especially the Marathi theatre in Mumbai. She was actively associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and worked in several plays for the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. In 1954, she famously performed the role of Lady Macbeth in V.V. Shirwadkar's Marathi adaptations of Macbeth, as Rajmukut, The Royal Crown, along with Nanasaheb Phatak.[11]

Later career
Khote on a 2013 stamp of India

Durga Khote played a wide variety of roles over a career that was not only long, but also untouched by scandal. She was the inspiration for several generations of Indian actresses, including veterans such as the late Shobhna Samarth, who frequently spoke of how she had been inspired by Khote's example.

During later years, she played several important character roles, such as the mother of the protagonist. Her portrayal of Jodhabai, the queen of Akbar torn between duty towards her husband and love towards her son in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) was well received. In 1963, she acted in Merchant Ivory's debut film The Householder (1963).[12][13]

She went on to play other widely appreciated character roles in later movies, such as the role of the grandmother of the heroine in Bobby (1973), the hero's aunt in Abhimaan (1973), and the very memorable Bidaai (1974), where she played a mother, a very sensitive role that can make one cry and received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Her final memorable role was in Subhash Ghai's Karz (1980), where she played the role of the mother of Raj Kiran and later, mother to Rishi Kapoor, who played the role of Raj Kiran's reincarnation after the screen death of Raj Kiran in the movie.

She acted in over 200 films in her career. By the 1980s she successfully diversified into production of short films, ad films and documentaries by setting up Fact Films and later, Durga Khote Productions, which produced the Doordarshan TV series Wagle Ki Duniya.

Personal life

Durga Khote was married when she was a teenager to Vishwanath Khote, a gentleman of her own caste and similar social background, in a match arranged by their parents in the usual Indian manner. It was a traditional marriage into an orthodox family, the couple lived a harmonious and happy life, and the marriage was blessed with two sons. Vishwanath was a mechanical engineer who had graduated from Banaras Hindu University. His family was upper middle class and professional, with modern English education and high social standing; his ancestors had been prominent bankers.

Unfortunately, Vishwanath Khote died young, when Durga was barely into her 20s. She and her sons continued to reside with her in-laws, as is traditional in India, but she was not comfortable with her dependent position, especially because her father-in-law was no more, and they were dependent on other family members for their expenses. Shs thus felt impelled to make a living any which way she could, and the opening in films happened entirely by chance. The fact that she came from a modern and English-educated family meant that, even as a widow, she was able to act in films, which was derided as a disreputable profession in those days.

Durgaji, thus raised her two sons, Bakul and Harin, single-handedly. Both of them went on to become well-settled in life. But she suffered the loss of her son Harin, who predeceased her and died in his 40s. Harin was married to Vijaya Jaywant, and they were the parents of two sons.[14] After Harin's early death, his widow married a Parsi man named Farrokh Mehta and became famous as the film-maker Vijaya Mehta.

Durga Khote's grandchildren (children of Bakul and Harin) include her grandson Ravi, a filmmaker; granddaughter Anjali Khote, an actress; and grandson Deven Khote, a successful producer who is one of the co-founders of UTV, and who has also directed a film.[15][16] Deven Khote is noted for producing films such as Jodhaa Akbar and Life in a Metro.[17]

Durga Khote's brother-in-law, Nandu Khote (brother of Vishwanath), was a noted stage and silent movie actor. Two of Nandu's children are also active in the film industry. His son Viju Khote is an actor perhaps best known for his role of "Kalia" in Sholay (1975). Nandu's daughter is the actress Shubha Khote, who debuted in Seema (1955) and worked as a heroine in several films before moving to character roles. Still later, she moved to directing and producing Marathi films and also entered television in the 90s. Shubha's daughter, Bhavana Balsavar, is also an award-winning TV actress who appeared in sitcoms like Dekh Bhai Dekh and Zabaan Sambhalke before deciding to settle down and raise a family.[18][19] Thus, the acting profession which was pioneered by Durga Khote in her family has been fully embraced by her late husband's family.

Durga Khote also had some rather improbable, distinguished relatives with no connection to films. The socialite and politician Sharda Mukherjee (nee Sharada Pandit), who herself served as governor of the states of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and who was the wife of Subroto Mukherjee, India's first Chief of the Air Staff, was Durga Khote's first cousin (her mother's sister's daughter). Sharda Mukherjee's paternal uncle, Ranjit Sitaram Pandit, was the husband of Jawaharlal Nehru's sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit. In other words, Durga Khote's mausi (mother's sister) was the Devrani of Vijayalakshmi Pandit; their husbands were the Pandit brothers.


Later in life, Durga Khote wrote an autobiography in Marathi, entitled Mee, Durga Khote, which was translated into English as I, Durga Khote,[20] and moved to Alibaug, near Mumbai. Durga Khote died on 22 September 1991.

Filmography
Khote in Amar Jyoti (1936)
YearTitleRoleNotes
1931Farebi Jaal
1932Maya MachhindraQueenHindi / Marathi film
1932Ayodhyecha RajaTaramatiHindi / Marathi film
1933Rajrani MeeraMeera
1933Patit Pawan
1934SeetaSeeta
1935Jeevan NatakMiss Queen
1935InquilabMiss Renee
1936Amar JyotiSaudamini
1937PratibhaPratibha
1938Saathi
1938Nandakumar
1939Adhuri KahaniHarbala
1940Yamla Jat
1940Narsi BhagatManekbaiGujarati / Hindi film
1940GeetaDurgaHindi / Marathi film
1941Charnon Ki Dasi / Payachi DasiVidya's mother-in-lawHindi / Marathi film
1942Vijay
1942Bharat MilapMaharani KaikeyiHindi / Marathi film
1943Zameen
1943TasveerVidya Devi
1943Prithvi VallabhMrinalvati
1943Mahatma Vidur
1943Mahasati Ansuya
1943Kurbani
1944Maharathi KarnaKunti
1944Dil Ki Baat
1945Veer Kunal
1945Phool
1945Pannadai
1945LakharaniBichwa
1945Gaon Ki Gori
1946Rukmini Swayamvar
1946Maharani Minaldevi
1946Hum Ek HainZamindari Ma
1948Seeta Sawayamwar
1948Anjuman
1949JeetRatan's mother
1949SingaarKishan's Mother
1949Maya Bazaar
1950Surajmukhi
1950Nishana
1950Magroor
1950Har Har Mahadev
1950Beqasoor
1950Alakh Niranjan
1950Hamara Ghar
1951Sazaa
1951Nandkishore
1951Nai Zindagi
1951HumlogMother
1951Hamari Shaan
1951AaramSita
1952Sandesh
1952Narveer Tanaji
1952Mordhwaj
1952Lal Kunwar
1952Hyderabad Ki NazneenMrs. Jwala Prasad
1952Aandhiyan
1953Naulakha HaarDevla
1953Dharma PathniNataraj's Wife
1953Shikast
1953Naag PanchamiRani Sanka
1953Mashooka
1953Malkin
1953Chacha Chowdhury
1954Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
1954Mirza GhalibAmma, Chaudvin's mother
1954Maan
1954Lakeeren
1954Laila
1955Adil-E-JahangirMallika-e-Jahangeer
1955Shri Ganesh Vivah
1955Madh Bhare Nain
1955Jagadguru Shankaracharya
1955Haseena
1956Rajdhani
1956PatraniRaj Mata
1956Parivar
1956Insaaf
1956Harihar Bhakti
1956Dwarikadheesh
1956Justice
1957Talaash
1957Ram Hanuman Yuddha
1957MusafirMrs. Nilambar Sharma
1957Mera Salaam
1957BhabhiRatan's aunt
1957Bade SarkarSumitra Maan Singh
1958Gopichand
1959ArdhanginiPrakash's mom
1959Raj Tilak
1959Maine Jeena Seekh Liya
1959Ghar Ghar Ki Baat
1960ParakhRani Ma, J.C. Roy's mother
1960Mughal-E-AzamMaharani Jodha Bai
1960Usne Kaha ThaParo
1960Love in SimlaSonia's grandmother
1961Ek Ladki Saat Ladke
1961Senapati
1961Kismet Palat Ke Dekh
1961Do BhaiGopi's Mother
1961Bhabhi Ki ChudiyanPrabha's mother
1962Son of IndiaHead Nun
1962RungoliSubhagi
1962Man-MaujiDr. Mohan's mother
1962Main Shadi Karne Chala
1963The HouseholderPrem's mother
1963Mujhe Jeene DoDhara Khan's Mom
1964Benazir
1964Tere Dwaar Khada Bhagwan
1964ShagoonUncredited
1964Main Suhagan Hoon
1964Kaise Kahoon
1964Door Ki AwaazPrakash's mother
1965PurnimaSharda R. Lal
1965KaajalRani Sahiba
1965Janam Janam Ke Saathi
1965Do DilRanimaa
1966AnupamaAshok's mother
1966SagaaiSheel's mother
1966Pyar MohabbatRajmata Rajeshwari
1966DevarGopinath's Mom
1966Daadi MaaDaadi Maa / Maharani
1967Chandan Ka PalnaMrs. Radha Laxmidas
1968SunghurshMrs. Bhawani Prasad
1968Sapno Ka SaudagarPeter's mother
1968Jhuk Gaya AasmanMrs. Saxena
1969Pyar Ka SapnaSudha's mother
1969Ek Phool Do MaliLeela
1969Jeene Ki RaahJanki
1969Dharti Kahe PukarkeParvati
1970KhilonaThakurain Singh
1970Dhartichi Lekaren
1970UmangAunti JiUncredited
1970GopiKunwar's Mother
1971AnandRenu's motherGuest Appearance
1971ChingariMohan's Mother
1971Ek Nari Ek BrahmachariRajlaxmi S. Chaudhary
1971BanphoolHaria's maternal grandma
1972BawarchiSeeta Sharma
1972ShararatHarry's mother
1972Raja JaniRajmata
1972Mere BhaiyaAvinash's mother
1972Mangetar
1973Sone Ke Haath
1973AbhimaanDurga Mausi
1973BobbyMrs. Braganza
1973Namak HaraamSomu's mother
1973Door Nahin ManzilDadima
1973Agni RekhaDurga
1974BidaaiParvatiWon 1975 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
1974InsaaniyatRam's mother
1974Dil DiwanaVijay's Dadimaa
1975KhushbooBrindaban's mother
1975Kala SonaMrs. Ranjeet Singh
1975ChaitaliManish's mother
1975VandanaRakesh's Mother
1975Biwi Kiraya Ki
1976JaanemanRonnie's mother
1976Jai Bajrang BaliDevi Maa Anjani
1976ShaqueMrs. Bannerjee
1976Rangila Ratan
1977Saheb BahadurMeena's grandmother
1977PaheliBrij Mohan's mother
1977PaapiAshok's mother
1977Naami Chor
1977Do ChehereDaadima
1977Darling Darling
1977Chor SipaheeMrs. Khanna, Raja's mother
1977Chacha BhatijaMrs. D'Silva
1980KarzMrs. Shanta Prasad Verma
1981Sangdil
1983Daulat Ke DushmanSunil's mother(final film role)

Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1942 Charnon Ki Dasi[21] BFJA Awards: Best Actress Won
1943 Bharat Milap[22] BFJA Awards: Best Actress Won
1968 – Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India. Awarded
1970 Dhartichi Lekre Maharashtra State Award Won
1974 Bidaai Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award Won
1983 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the lifetime recognition award for films from Government of India[10] Awarded

Honours and recognitions

A postage stamp, bearing her face, was released by India Post to honour her on 3 May 2013.

gollark: Well, I mostly used mcdex for that, but it MAY be nonworking now.
gollark: Oh and maybe the airship thing and stuff.
gollark: I WILL continue reading the list.
gollark: As I said, perhaps ICBM for purposes.
gollark: \🐝

References
  1. Women of Substance Archived 8 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine, India Today.
  2. Ten most important women stars in Indian films Archived 21 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine Gautam Rajadhyaksha, Rediff.com.
  3. Memorable Moms The Statesman, 4 October 2008.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Durga Khote Profile on Cineplot.com".
  6. "Profile with photographs". Archived from the original on 18 January 2006. Retrieved 22 January 2006.
  7. Ashok Raj (1 November 2009). Hero Vol.1. Hay House, Inc. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-93-81398-02-9. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  8. Tilak Rishi (2012). Bless You Bollywood!: A Tribute to Hindi Cinema on Completing 100 Years. Trafford Publishing. pp. 155–. ISBN 978-1-4669-3963-9. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  9. Kahlon, Sukhpreet. "Durga Khote, the formidable trailblazer of Hindi and Marathi cinema: Anniversary special". Cinestaan.com. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  10. Dadasaheb Phalke Award 15th Recipient – 1983 – Durga Khote. Ultraindia.com. Retrieved on 2018-11-09.
  11. Shakespeare in India internetshakespeare.uvic.ca
  12. Filmography on Allmovie.
  13. Filmography on The New York Times.
  14. Shanta Gokhale (26 November 2012). "Life at play". Pune Mirror. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013.
  15. UTV co-founder turns director
  16. Durga Khote profile Washington State University
  17. Deven Khote The New York Times,
  18. An Interview with Shobha Khote Rediff.com.
  19. The Forgotten Bollywood bhai-behan Brigade Bollywood Hungama, 9 August 2006.
  20. "Autobiography – details from Oxford University Press website". Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2006.
  21. 5th Annual BFJA Awards – Awards For The Year 1941 Archived 8 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine BFJA Awards Official website.
  22. 6th Annual BFJA Awards – Awards For The Year 1942 Archived 8 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine BFJA Awards Official website.

Further reading
  • I, Durga Khote: An autobiography, translated into English by Shanta Gokhale (2006); ISBN 978-0-19-567475-0 & ISBN 0-19-567475-8
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