Nirmala Devi

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For the Indian freestyle wrestler, see Nirmala Devi (wrestler).

Nirmala Devi
Nirmala in Sharda (1942)
Born(1927-06-07)7 June 1927
Benares, Benares State, British India (present-day Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India)
Died15 June 1996(1996-06-15) (aged 69)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
OccupationVocalist, Actress, Singer
Spouse(s)Arun Kumar Ahuja
Children5 (including Govinda)
RelativesAhuja family

Nirmala Devi (7 June 1927 – 15 June 1996) also known as Dulari, was an Indian actress in the 1940s and a Hindustani classical vocalist of the Patiala Gharana.[1][2][3][4] Bollywood actor Govinda is her son.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Nirmala Devi was born as Nazim on 7 June 1927, in Varanasi (then known as Banares), Uttar Pradesh.[5] Her father was Vasudev Narayan Singh, a well known Hindu tabla maestro in Varanasi of that time. However, Nirmala was raised as a Muslim by her aunt Mannan Jan, who was a tawaif by profession.[6] Nirmala's siblings include musician Lachhu Maharaj and actress Kumkum.[7]

At a young age, Nirmala was enrolled by her aunt into music classes from Ustad Ata Mohammad Khan of the Patiala gharana, who had previously taught high-profile figures such as Begum Akhtar.[8]

Career[edit | edit source]

Nirmala made her film debut in Savera (1942), with actor Arun Kumar Ahuja as co-star. She went on to marry him the same year. Nirmala subsequently starred in Sharda (1942) and Gaali (1944). The latter, also featuring Karan Dewan, was a popular release.[9] In 1945, she played Motilal's leading lady in S. M. Yusuf's Piya Milan, in which Baburao Patel described her as the only good performer in the film.[10] She received similar reviews for her performance in Nanabhai Bhatt's comedy Chalis Karod (1946).[11]

In 1948, she reunited with her husband in their home production, Sehra, which was unsuccessful at the box office.[12] Her subsequent release Anmol Ratan (1950) also turned out to be a critical and commercial failure.[13] Nirmala's final screen appearance was in Jai Mahalakshmi (1951).[14]

Before Govinda started working in films, Nirmala was the sole earning member of her family.[15]

Personal life and death[edit | edit source]

Nirmala Devi was raised as a Muslim. In 1942, she converted to Hinduism and eloped with her first co-star, Arun Kumar Ahuja.[16][17][18] The marriage was opposed by her aunt Mannan Jan; Nirmala ultimately severed ties with her aunt.[19]

Nirmala and Arun had five children: three daughters—Padma, Kamini and Pushpa—and two sons—Kirti and Govinda.

Nirmala died on 15 June 1996, at the age of 69, in Mumbai.[20][21]

Work[edit | edit source]

As actor[edit | edit source]

Source:[14]

  • Savera (1942)
  • Sharda (1942)
  • Kanoon (1943)
  • Geet (1944)
  • Gaali (1944)
  • Jeevan (1944)
  • Piya Milan (1945)
  • Chalis Karod (1946) as Muniya
  • Ghunghat (1946)
  • Sehra (1948) — produced by her husband[22]
  • Janamashtami (1950)
  • Anmol Ratan (1950)
  • Jai Mahalakshmi (1951)

As playback singer[edit | edit source]

  • Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
  • Bawarchi (1972) – one of the performers on the track "Bhor Aai Gaya Andhiyara"
  • Zara Bachke (1959)
  • Shama Parwana (1954)

Music albums[edit | edit source]

Genre: Hindustani Classical / Music Label: His Master's Voice

Singles:

  • Banaa Banaa Ke Tamanaa & Gham Ki Nishani (Ghazal)
  • Jaadu Bhare Tore Nainava Ram & Mori Baali Umar Beeti Jaye (Thumri)

Full Albums:

  • Saavan Beetaa Jaye (Thumri) (With Ms Laxmi Shankar, contemporary singer)
  • Weekend Pleasure (Thumri)
  • Thumriyan by Nirmala Devi (Thumri)
  • Laakhon Ke Bol Sahe (Thumri)
  • Ghazals by Nirmala Devi (Ghazal)

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

  • Dewan, Saba (3 November 2023). Tawaifnama. Context. ISBN 978-93-95073-59-2.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Manuel, Peter Lamarche (1990). Ṭhumrī in historical and stylistic perspectives. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 90. ISBN 978-81-208-0673-3.
  2. ↑ Wade, Bonnie C. (1987). Music in India: the classical traditions. Riverdale Company. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-913215-25-8.
  3. ↑ Sharma, Manorma (2006). Tradition of Hindustani music. APH Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-81-7648-999-7.
  4. ↑ Singh, Manjit (1992). Political socialization of students. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 24. ISBN 978-81-7100-404-1.
  5. ↑ दुबे, स्नेहा (5 July 2024). "जन्म से मुस्लिम, धर्म से हिंदू और कर्म से साध्वी थीं गोविंदा की मां, जानें कौन थीं वो". www.abplive.com (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  6. ↑ Dewan 2023, p. 449.
  7. ↑ Jha, Subhash K. "'I was really fond of Kumkum'". Rediff. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  8. ↑ Dewan 2023, p. 449–450.
  9. ↑ Patel, Baburao (1945). FilmIndia (1945). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. p. 44.
  10. ↑ Patel, Baburao (1945). FilmIndia (1945). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. p. 288.
  11. ↑ FilmIndia (1946). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1946. p. 377.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. ↑ Premchand, Manek (27 December 2018). Yesterday's Melodies Today's Memories. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-64429-877-0.
  13. ↑ "Film Review - Anmol Rattan (1950 film) (scroll down to page 15 of 29)" (PDF). The Motion Picture Magazine. 14 (11): 15. November 1950. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Dewan 2023, p. 455–456.
  15. ↑ Dhingra, Satish Chandra (16 February 2024). Baaten Beete Kal ki Yaani Kisse Bollywood Ke (in हिन्दी). BFC Publications. ISBN 978-93-5764-813-4.
  16. ↑ "Did Govinda Share Rocky Relationship With Father Arun Kumar Ahuja?". News18. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  17. ↑ "पैदा होते ही गोविंदा को बेटा मानने से इनकार कर बैठे थे पिता अरुण, हैरान कर देगी इसके पीछे की वजह". Amar Ujala (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  18. ↑ Kumar Singh, Suneet (3 August 2021). "कांग्रेस नेता नगमा से गोविंदा तक, मुस्लिम फैमिली से हैं इन 7 हिंदू एक्टर्स की मां". Jansatta (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  19. ↑ Dewan 2023, p. 456.
  20. ↑ "When Govinda's Mother Predicted His Stardom And Her Own Death". News18. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  21. ↑ "Govinda: One day mummy predicted her own death to me". The Times of India. 22 November 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  22. ↑ Asian Film Directory and Who's who. 1952. p. 197.

External links[edit | edit source]

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