Last month veteran actress Sandhya Shantaram, popularly known by the mononym Sandhya, went to heavenly abode on 4th October.
She was a popular actress of the yesteryears in Hindi and Marathi films. She was best known for her somewhat peculiar dancing style, which was also used to make fun of on occasions. I won’t call her one of my favourite actresses, but she had something magical about her. She wasn’t beautiful by Hindi film standards, but was a good actress.
A few years back, when I was reflecting on ‘Do Aankhen Barah Haath’ after watching it, the first thing that came to my mind was Sandhya and her character in the movie. I was surprised! Certainly there were many more highlights of the movie. But the way she portrayed Champa was excellent. I wonder if any other actress could have dedicated herself to a character like that. For me, it was only her dedication and sincerity to her husband, V Shantaram that she could play that convincingly. And coming to think of her films, both Hindi and Marathi, she worked only for ‘Rajkamal’ and though she wasn’t a trained dancer, most of her films prominently highlighted her dancing skills. In comparison, she didn’t get many opportunities to showcase her acting. In a few movies, an extravagant makeup (in Navrang for example) would attract (or distract) more attention than her facial expressions. Her mannerisms during dancing or acting do irritate some times, though I’m sure it’s all very subjective.
Wiki mentions her birth year to be 1938, so she was 87 years old. A few news channels called her 94 years old, which may actually be correct. In her first film, Amar Bhupali which was released in 1951, it’s hard to believe that she was 12 or 13.
She was spotted by V Shantaram, when he was searching for a new face for his Marathi film, Amar Bhupali. It’s said that her voice resembled that of Jayashree, Shantaram’s second wife. The film was successful and the songs from the movie are still popular in Maharashtra.
She, born as Vijaya Deshmukh, was renamed as Sandhya by Shantaram. She went on to act in many of Shantaram’s films in the 50s and the 60s. She married him in 1956 to become his third wife. She didn’t have children of her own, but she loved and cared for his children from previous marriages.
Her notable films include, Amar Bhupali (1952), Parchhai (1952), Teen Batti Char Raasta (1953), Jhanak Jhanak Paayal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959), Stree (1961), Sehra (1963), Ladki Sahyadri Ki (1966), Jal Bin Machhali Nritya Bin Bijli (1968), Pinjara (1972) and Chandanachi Choli Ang Ang Jaali (1975).
Last month, when she passed away on 4th October, I couldn’t publish a tribute post, though I wanted to. I even tried completing the post before 30th October, which marks the 35th death anniversary of V Shantaram. But I failed to do that as well.
So here I’m with a list of Sandhya’s film songs, in no particular order. I must add that all the songs on the list are Not dance songs.
1. Aadha Hai Chandrama – Navrang (1959) Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor / C Ramchandra – Bharat Vyas
In this movie, Sandhya played Mahipal’s wife, Jamuna and also his companion from his imagery, Mohini. There are a few beautiful dances by Sandhya in this movie, all while playing Mohini. It’s a tough decision to decide the song for today’s list. The delightful holi song and also Tum Saiyan Gulab Ke Phool and the climax song, Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan. I chose this one to highlight Sandhya’s difficult task of balancing the pile of earthen pots on her head throughout the songs and dancing with it. And of course, it’s a beautifully composed song rendered with apt expressions by the singers.
2. Saiyan Jhoothon Ka Bada Sartaj Nikla – Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) Lata Mangeshkar / Vasant Desai – Bharat Vyas
Sandhya played Champa, a toy seller lady in the film. This song appears in the film on several occasions when Sandhya is shown to pass from the road in front of the prisoner’s home. Again in the song, she not only sings it, but balances a basket of toys on her head, plays the instrument रावणहत्था, carries a small wheeled instrument that plays continuously as she walks. Such difficult multitasking! And her role might not seem important, but she is memorable in the film. She is not exactly portrayed to be in love with Shantaram’s character, but still her respect for him is evident. In addition she lip syncs to all the fabulous songs from the movie, right from the energetic Umad Ghumad Kar Aayi Re Ghata and the lullaby , Main Gaaun Tu Chup Hi Jaa, to the soulful prayer, Ae Mailk Tere Bande Hum.
3. Murali Manohar – Jhanak Jhanak Paayal Baaje (1955) Ustad Amir Khan, Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey / Vasant Desai – Dewan Sharar
Sandhya and Gopi Krishna played lead roles in this musical film, where songs and dance performances form an important part. Sandhya wasn’t a trained dancer, but she took extensive training before she started shooting for the film. The film revolves around Neela and Giridhar, their romance, his father’s opposition to their love and the prestigious dance competition, which portrays the climax. Gopi Krishna himself choreographed the dances and it was difficult to choose a song for the list. I finally went for this beautiful dance performance by the lead pair depicting Radha and Krishna. The Shiv tandav and the peacock dance are worth watching too. The soothingly romantic, Nain So Nain is also an audio-visual treat.
Though Sandhya’s acting was not praised, her dances with Gopi Krishna were acclaimed.
4. Pankh Hote To Ud Aati Re – Sehra (1963) Lata Mangeshkar / Ramlal – Hasrat Jaipuri
I have watched this movie on Doordarshan many years back. Sandhya plays a tomboy, who after an initial squabble, falls in love with Prashant. However they belong to different clans having a feud. Their love story remains incomplete and they die together in a dramatic way.
The film is now mainly remembered for its songs, including a couple of duets by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar and a few wonderful solos by both. This semi classical song is one of my favourites that features Sandhya and a very young Mumtaz, who had a small role. Here’s the link for video.
5. Apni Kaho Kuchh Meri Suno – Parchhai (1952) Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mahmood / C Ramchandra – Noor Lucknowi
I think it was the only film where Sandhya and Jayashree were together. Though most of the popular songs were picturised on Jayashree, this equally popular duet was picturised on Shantaram and Sandhya. The film had an interesting plot, and Sandhya was in a supporting role. V Shantaram played a blind man, and Sandhya played a character whose voice resembled that of Jayashree. Enjoy this beautiful melody.
6. Apni Ada Par Main Hoon Fida – Teen Batti Char Raasta (1953) Lata Mangeshkar / Shivram Krishna – P L Santoshi
In this film, Sandhya plays Shyama, a girl with dusky complexion and who’s not considered beautiful because of it. Shyama is however an excellent singer, who’s loved by all for her voice. She works on radio, so the listeners are not aware who she is! This song is during one of the recordings for radio. The film had a good story and Sandhya did pretty well, and could highlight herself in the absence of any dance. The song actually depicts the character’s feelings. It’s about your soul and not how beautiful you look!
I couldn’t help noticing the similarity of Sandhya’s overall look to Lata Mangeshkar in the early 50s.
7. लटपट लटपट तुझं चालणं – अमर भूपाळी (१९५१) लता मंगेशकर / वसंत देसाई – होनाजी बाळा
The songs from this film are still very popular, including the added one. It was Sandhya’s first film, where she played a character called Gunwanti. Her dancing style is a bit amateurish. Sandhya used to swing her neck a lot during dancing which can be seen even in her first film. And she looked like Jayashree, Shantaram’s second wife, on a few occasions. Do you think the same?
8. छबीदार छबी मी तोऱ्यात उभी – पिंजरा (१९७२) उषा मंगेशकर / राम कदम – जगदीश खेबूडकर
The film had 9 songs with 6 to 7 spectacular hit lawanis, all still popular. The film was extremely successful in Marathi and all the lawani songs are still roaringly popular. Sandhya wasn’t very young in the early 70s. But her dancing was still enthusiastic. I had a tough time deciding which song to add to today’s list.
Inspired by its success, the film was remade in Hindi with the same name. Ram Kadam, the original composer of the Marathi film, also composed for the Hindi version. The songs were sung by Lata Mangeshkar for the Hindi version. But that couldn’t attain the same popularity.
Ladki Sahyadri Ki was a story of a girl who sings and dances and has to accept stage performances as her profession. The film was bilingual, made in Hindi and Marathi simultaneously. The Marathi version was called, इये मराठीचिये नगरी. Though the songs were good, both the versions couldn’t get much popular.
I had thought of adding a song from Stree alias Shakuntala (1961), but I mainly associate the songs with Lata Mangeshkar, her return to C Ramchandra’s camp after a long gap, and excellent lyrics by Bharat Vyas. So I haven’t added any song from this film on today’s list.
9. O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To – Jal Bin Machhali Nritya Bin Bijli (1976) Lata Mangeshkar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
While the title track of the movie would have been an obvious choice for today’s list, I added this song where Sandhya had challenged herself by dancing on one leg with the help of crutches. It’s still very difficult. Watch it yourself.
Sandhya played a character called Alaknanda, whose passion for dancing caused a lot of troubles in her life, including leaving her crippled for the entire life. The film wasn’t very popular, though the songs were acclaimed.
10. पिंगा ग पोरी पिंगा – चंदनाची चोळी अंग अंग जाळी (१९७५) उषा मंगेशकर, पुष्पा पागधरे, चारुशिला बेलसरे आणि साथी / राम कदम – जगदीश खेबूडकर
It was Sandhya’s last film which was a Marathi film. Ranjana Deshmukh, her niece also featured in the movie. Though a few songs from the movie are popular, it couldn’t recreate the magic of Pinjara. Instead of choosing a lawani song again, I preferred a song which depicts traditional dance during मंगळागौर. मंगळागौर is to seek the blessings of Goddess Gauri for marital bliss, prosperity, and the longevity of one’s husband. It’s mainly celebrated by married women, who sing and dance on traditional folk songs with typical steps, for the entire night on all the Tuesdays (मंगळवार) of the auspicious of Shravan. You will find the roots of the song Pinga Ga Pori Pinga in this one.
After retiring from films, she kept herself completely away from the limelight. She dedicated herself to her family and looked after them.
Which of your favourite Sandhya songs would you add?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
