Remembering tragedy queen Meena Kumari on her 45th death anniversary

Considered as one of the prominent actresses of the Hindi film industry, Meena Kumari has been part of many classic and cult movies. Termed as the tragedy queen of the industry, the actress' performance was praised throughout her acting career.

Born as Mahjabeen Bano, she made her acting debut with Farzand-e-Watan at the age of 7, but gained fame in 1952 with the movie Baiju Bawra. She won the first Filmfare Award, which was introduced in 1954, for the movie.

She has been part of movies like Parineeta, Aarti, Main Chup Rahungi, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Pakeezah. Meena Kumari died of liver cirrhosis on March 31 1972, just three weeks after the release of Pakeezah. Here are what her contemporaries wrote about her sad demise:

"31 March 1972 was an unfortunate day since on this day in front of their own eyes they had seen helplessly the slow going away of a dear friend." - Dilip Kumar 

"Meena Kumari was the greatest artiste of them all. I regret there was no recognition of her historionic talent." - Dev Anand 

"She would live for all time to come." - Raaj Kumar

Meena Kumari was also a talented poet under the pseudonym Naaz. According to Naushad Ali, Kumari's poetry clearly reflected her angst. Haunting, crystalline and precisely observed, Kumari's poetry reveals a side of her personality that was rarely on display in her films. 

Meena Kumari’s personal life was as tragic as her roles in the movies. She married Kamal Amrohi, who was fifteen years older to her and a married man with a child.