Uma Devi Khatri (July 11, 1923, UP, India-November 24, 2003, Mumbai, India) was born into a Punjabi family. She lost her parents very early. She ran away to Bombay at the age of 13 years with the dream of singing. After her initial break, she knocked on Naushad's door and told him that if he did not give her a chance, she would throw herself in the ocean.
He did and again for "Dard" she sang ..."Afsana likh rahi hun"...filmed on Munawar Sultana.
A Pakistani gentleman was so smitten by her singing, he never went back. They married later. She called him Mohan.... he passed away in 1992.They had 2 daughters.
Other famous songs ...
Aaj machee hai dhoom...(Dard)
Her singing songs for S S Vasan's Chandralekha( a huge success) ended her association(breaking the contract) with A R Kardar. After partition, the work was less, as Mangeshkar sisters were emerging....she was down and put on a lot of weight around that time.
Again, Naushad suggested that she should try her comedic talent in films...and gave her a chance to act in "Babul" with Dilip Kumar and Nargis. It is said that Dilip Kumar called her "Tun Tun" and it stayed with her. Other notable roles were in Aar Paar, Mr. and Mrs. 55, Pyaasa, C.I.D.(a great cameo appearance playing a woman from South India, whose husband had disappeared once again), Kashmir ki kali and Namak Halal.
I have a rare autograph of her, given to my father. My dad met many of the artists/stars frequently, and would not ask anyone for an autograph. This was a pleasant surprise.
Movie: Dard (1947)
Music director: Naushad
Lyricist: Shakeel Badayuni
Download "Afsana likh rahi hun"
