Here are 5 famous musicians from India died at 39:
Guru Dutt (July 9, 1925 Bangalore-October 10, 1964 Mumbai) also known as Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone, Dada, Guru, Late Guru Dutt 'Dada', Gurudutt or Vasanth Kumar Shivsankar Padukone was an Indian actor, film director, film producer, writer and screenwriter. His children are Tarun Dutt, Arun Dutt and Nina Dutt.
Guru Dutt is considered one of the most influential personalities in the Indian film industry. He started his career as a choreographer and actor in 1944 and made his directorial debut with the movie Baazi in 1951. Some of his notable films include Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam, and Chaudhvin Ka Chand. Guru Dutt was known for his visually stunning and emotionally complex films that explored the darker side of human relationships. He also introduced many new talents to the industry, including Waheeda Rehman and Johnny Walker. Despite his immense talent and success, Guru Dutt struggled with personal issues related to his relationships and finances, which ultimately led to his tragic death at the age of 39.
Guru Dutt was born into a Saraswat Brahmin family and his father was initially against his pursuit of a career in the film industry. However, Guru Dutt was determined to follow his passion and moved to Mumbai to work for the Prabhat Film Company. He then went on to work for other studios such as Bombay Talkies and Filmistan, where he honed his skills as a filmmaker.
In addition to his work in the film industry, Guru Dutt was also a trained classical dancer and a painter. He was known for his love of art and often incorporated it into his films through his use of lighting, composition, and framing.
Guru Dutt's legacy continues to live on in the Indian film industry to this day. He is remembered for his contributions to Indian cinema and for paving the way for future generations of filmmakers. Several books and documentaries have been made about his life and work, and his films continue to be screened and celebrated around the world.
Despite his tragic end, Guru Dutt is celebrated as a master of Indian cinema and is remembered for his innovative techniques and unique style. He was one of the first Hindi filmmakers to experiment with non-linear narrative structures and his use of songs and music as an integral part of storytelling revolutionized Indian cinema. He also introduced elements of European cinema, such as existentialism and neo-realism, into his films, making them more nuanced and complex. Guru Dutt was ahead of his time and his work continues to inspire contemporary filmmakers. In 2010, he was posthumously honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to Indian cinema.
He died as a result of suicide.
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Meena Kumari (August 1, 1932 Mumbai-March 31, 1972 Mumbai) also known as Mahjabeen Bano, Begum Mahjabeen Bux, Meena, Baby Meena, Meenakumari, Meenaji, Manju, The Tragedy Queen, Naaz or Mahjabeen was an Indian actor and poet. Her child is called Tajdar Amrohi.
Meena Kumari was born in a family of film actors and started her acting career as a child artist at the age of four. She made her debut as a lead actress in the film "Bachchon Ka Khel" in 1946. She went on to act in more than 90 films in her career spanning over 30 years.
Meena Kumari was known for her strong performances in tragic roles and is often referred to as "The Tragedy Queen". She received four Filmfare Awards for Best Actress and was the first actress to win the award twice. Some of her most memorable films include "Pakeezah", "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam", "Parineeta", and "Baiju Bawra".
Apart from acting, Meena Kumari was also a talented poet and wrote under the pen name "Naaz". Her poetry was published in two collections, "Tanha Chand" and "Kahi Unkahi".
Meena Kumari's personal life was marked by several tragedies, including a failed marriage to film director Kamal Amrohi and her struggles with alcoholism. She passed away at the age of 39 due to cirrhosis of the liver, leaving behind a rich legacy in Indian cinema.
Despite facing obstacles in her personal life, Meena Kumari was an immensely talented and versatile actress. In addition to her acclaimed performances in tragic roles, she also showcased her comedic skills in films like "Mr. & Mrs. 55" and "Azaad". Meena Kumari was also known for her incredible beauty and was often referred to as the "Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood". She was not only a talented actor and poet, but also a skilled dancer and singer. Meena Kumari's songs from films like "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" and "Pakeezah" remain popular to this day. In recognition of her contributions to Indian cinema, Meena Kumari was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 1973. Her legacy as an icon of Indian cinema continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.
Meena Kumari was a versatile artist who not only acted in films but also wrote scripts and composed music. Her screenplays include "Chandan Ka Palna", "Pakeezah", and "Chitralekha", while her musical compositions can be heard in films like "Gazal" and "Kajal". Meena Kumari was also a proficient painter and had a passion for photography. She often captured candid moments of her co-stars and scenes from film sets. Her photography skills were further honed when she worked as a camera assistant on the film "Bharosa" in 1963. Meena Kumari's contributions to Indian cinema continue to be celebrated through film retrospectives and tributes.
She died caused by cirrhosis.
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Rangeya Raghav (January 17, 1923 Uttar Pradesh-September 12, 1962) was an Indian writer.
He was known for his contributions to the Hindi literature, particularly for his works in the field of poetry and fiction. Rangeya Raghav's writing was deeply rooted in Indian culture and traditions, and he often explored philosophical themes in his works. He was a prolific writer, who published several collections of poetry and short stories, including 'Kuchh Khote Hue Shabd' and 'Aur Bachta Gaya'. Raghav was also a freedom fighter and actively participated in the Indian independence movement. Despite his untimely death at the age of 39, his writings continue to inspire and influence generations of Hindi writers and readers.
In addition to his literary and political endeavors, Raghav had a distinguished career in journalism. He served as the editor of several prominent Hindi newspapers and magazines, including 'Hindustan', 'Aaj', and 'Dharmyug'. Raghav's writing was widely acclaimed for its ability to capture the essence of the Indian way of life, and he was awarded several prestigious honors during his lifetime, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1959. His poetry has been set to music and performed by several well-known singers, including Lata Mangeshkar and Jagjit Singh. Rangeya Raghav's legacy continues to be celebrated by literary societies and academic institutions throughout India.
His early life was marked by tragedy as he lost his father at the young age of 12. Despite this, Raghav continued to pursue his education and went on to obtain a Master's degree in Hindi literature. He was deeply influenced by the works of renowned Hindi poets such as Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' and Mahadevi Verma. Raghav's own writings often reflected his admiration for their work, and he was considered to be a part of the 'Chhayavaadi' school of poetry which included these two poets.
Apart from his literary and journalistic pursuits, Raghav was also actively involved in social causes. He was a staunch believer in the power of education and was a vocal advocate for the empowerment of women. He championed their cause through his writing and was known for his portrayal of strong female characters in his works.
Despite his numerous achievements, Raghav's life was cut short when he passed away at the age of 39 due to a heart attack. However, his legacy has lived on through his writings, which continue to be studied and appreciated today. In recognition of his contributions to Hindi literature, the government of India issued a postage stamp in his honor in 2003, on the occasion of his 80th birth anniversary.
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Padmaja Naidu (April 5, 2015-April 5, 1975) was an Indian politician.
She was also a writer and a poet. Padmaja Naidu was born in Hyderabad, India and was the daughter of Sarojini Naidu, a prominent figure in India's struggle for independence. Padmaja Naidu was involved in India's independence movement and was imprisoned for her activism. After India gained independence, she became a member of the Constituent Assembly and later served as governor of West Bengal. Padmaja Naidu was known for her dedication to education and women's empowerment. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to public life.
Padmaja Naidu was also the founder of the Indian National Theatre and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. She paved the way for the development of arts and culture in India and played a significant role in promoting traditional dance forms. Padmaja Naidu was a prolific writer and her works include biographies of her mother, Sarojini Naidu, and her father, Dr. A.G. Naidu. She was a member of several international organizations and represented India at various international forums. Padmaja Naidu passed away on her 60th birthday in 1975. The Indian Government set up the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling in her honor.
In addition to her work in politics and the arts, Padmaja Naidu was also a dedicated social worker. She was particularly passionate about providing education and healthcare to disadvantaged communities, especially women and children. She founded several organizations, including the Indian Council for Child Welfare and the National Federation of Indian Women. Padmaja Naidu was also active in promoting international understanding and served as India's ambassador to several countries, including Spain and the Netherlands. She was known for her diplomacy and her efforts to strengthen relations between India and other nations. Padmaja Naidu's legacy continues to inspire people across India and beyond, particularly those who strive for social justice and cultural understanding.
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Chatur Lal (April 16, 1926 Udaipur-October 14, 1965) was an Indian film score composer. His child is Charanjit Chaturlal.
Discography: Music of India, Morning and Evening Rāgas. Genres he performed include Hindustani classical music and Indian classical music.
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