Cineplot Music

Sitara of Kanpur

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Sitara of Kanpur (aka Sitara Bai Kanpurvaali or Sitara Kanpuri) was born around 1920s. Sitara was introduced as playback singer by director W.Z. Ahmed in his film Man Ki Jeet (1944), who heard her singing on radio and noticed her attractive voice. According to W.Z. Ahmed “She was called to our studio and after her audition, a contract was signed with her. From then on she would sing exclusively for our company Shalimar Pictures. I was delighted with my new find”. Sitara sang for Neena (W.Z. Ahmed’s wife) in Man Ki Jeet (1944), Prithviraj Samyukta (1946), and Meera Bai (1947), all of them produced under the banner of Shalimar Pictures.

After partition, W.Z. Ahmed and Neena migrated to Pakistan and Sitara was free to sing for other banners. She sang for Pugree (1948), Apradhi (1949), and Rasheed Dulhan (unreleased film) and then disappeared into oblivion.

Note

Sitara of Kanpur is often confused with Sitara Devi (noted actress and Kathak dancer). There is also some confusion regarding another singer – Tara Bai of Lucknow. Some sources say that Sitara of Kanpur and Tara Bai of Lucknow were one and the same person and Tara was Sitara’s birthname. However, W.Z. Ahmed insists that Tara was Sitara’s sister and was way behind Sitara as far as singing capabilities were concerned. If you have any further information, please contact us at cineplot@yahoo.com or leave a comment – Ummer Siddique

(Information provided by Ashok Dhareshwar and Urzung Khan)

Listen!

Dil ki mayusi, Singer – Sitara of Kanpur, Music – Ghulam Mohammed, Film – Rasheed Dulhan, Year – Unreleased film – probably composed around mid to late 40s

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