Kanan Devi

Kanan Devi Biography

Kanan Devi was among the early singing stars of Indian cinema. She is also credited as the first heroine of Bengali cinema. Her association with New Theatres, Kolkata has given numerous memorable movies in the first era of Bengali cinema. She has written her autobiography titled - Sabaray Ami Nami and was a true story of rags to riches. She received Dadasaheb Phalke Award in the year 1976. An honorary degree from Vishwabharati and the Padma Shree in 1968 are other achievements.

Kanan was born on 22 April 1916 in Howrah, West Bengal. She lived with her adoptive parents - Ratan Chandra Das and Rajobala. After the death of Ratan Chandra Das, she along with Rajobala left the place. Though there is no evidence that she completed her school education it’s believed that she did her incomplete studies at Howrah's St. Agnes' Convent School.

She entered cinema as a child artist through the movie – Jaidev in the year 1926. It was a brief role and she got that role with the recommendation of Tulsi Banerji. The following year she appeared in Shankaracharya with name, Kanan Bala. Till 1932, she played child artist roles in Rishir Prem, Jorebarat, Bishnumaya and Prahlad, of which she played male lead in the last two movies. All these movies belong to silent era of Indian cinema.

Later she played lead role in talkies during the era of 1930’s. Jorebarat, Manomoyee Girls School, Khooni Kaun and Maa released in the 1934 saw a transition of Kanan Bala to Kanan Devi. Then she became the top heroine of Bengali and appeared in numerous movies playing the lead role. A few of her movies include - Jaidev, Rishir Prem, Sree Gourange, Char Darvesh, Maa, Hari Bhakti, Jorebarat, Vishnumaya, Kantahaar, Krishna Sudama and Bishabriksha. Her association with Biren Sircar’s New theatre established her as a singer too. Her association with New theatre for the movie Mukthi released in the year 1937 is regarded as the best performance of this actress. Kanan Devi's last Hindi film was Chandrashekhar (1948) with Ashok Kumar.

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Updated: October 25, 2013