Osian's Auction Catalogue The Greatest Indian Show On Earth | September 2014

The Greatest Indian Show on Earth Illustrated Reference “In a metaphor that is most completely realized in Pakeezah (1971), the body of the woman becomes the prison of her emotions that must of necessity be concealed just as she is physically incarcerated in the space of the kotha like a caged bird. The tragic destiny of the courtesan exposes the contradictions, hypocrisies and ruthlessness of patriarchal culture; at the same time, in her performance to the appreciative and sometimes lascivious male gaze, we often perceive a defiant resistance on her part to the conditions of her existence (Fig. 5; see image on Lot 78).” Ira Bhaskar & Richard Allen. Islamicate Cultures of Bombay Cinema. New Delhi: Tulika Books 2009; Fig. 5, p.8. Lot 77 76 a. & b. Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar & Raaj Kumar in PAKEEZAH.1972 Directed by Kamal Amrohi 11.8 x 11.8 in ( 30.0 x 30.0 cm) c. MEENA KUMAR: DIL JO NA KEH SAKA.ND 11.8 x 11.8 in ( 30.0 x 30.0 cm) Each 33 rpm LP Gramaphone Record / REC Provenance Private Collector, New Delhi ` 15,000 – 22,500 US$ 250 – 375 GBP 150 – 225 Lot of 3 129 LEADING HEROINES AND THE CLASSIC FILMS 1949 – 1972 MEENA KUMARI AS FOCUS