Bhanu Athaiya

Bhanu Athaiya Biography

Bhanu Athaiya is an Oscar Award winning legendary costume designer of Bollywood who has been associated with cinema since 1950’s. She shared academy award for best costume design along with John Mollo for Gandhi in 1982. She debut with Dev Anand’s CID in 1956. Later she has designed costumes for many milestone movies of Bollywood. She has been associated with masterpiece works of Guru Dutt like CID (1956), Pyaasa (1959), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1964).

She has designed costumes for many legendary movies in the golden era of 1960’s and 1970’s including – Leader, Mere Sanam, Dulha Dulhan, Guide, Teesri Manzil, Batameez, Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan, Anita, Daastan, Chor Machaye Shor, Dharam Karam, Brahmachari, Mera Naam Joker, Khilona, Intequam, Jeene Ki Raah, Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee, Maryada, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Mere desh, Mehbooba, Nagin, Do Anjane, Chalte chalte, Aaina, Hera Pheri,Suhaag, Shalimar, Ghar, Mr. Natwarlal, Jaani Dushman, Meera, Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Anamika, Mera Saaya, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi, Patthar Ke Sanam, Waqt, Kajal, Janwar and Amrapali. Ram teri Ganga maili, Chandini, Karz, The Burning Train, Insaaf Ka Tarazu, Prem Rog, Nikaah and Razia Sultan are her memorable works of 1980’s. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India are Swades are her recent works. She was honoured with Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 for her overall contributions to Bollywood.

She was born Bhanumati Annasaheb Rajopadhye in Kolhapur in Maharashtra on April 28, 1929. Athaiya's father, Annasaheb was a painter. Her father died when she was very young. An art teacher used to come to her home regularly who taught her drawing. She graduated in fine arts from Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai with top honors. Athaiya started her career in Mumbai as a freelance fashion illustrator for women’s magazines. Later she discovered her flair for designing clothes and she switched her career to costume design. Her film career began with Guru Dutt movies.

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Updated: March 10, 2014