Today's Google doodle commemorates Meena Kumari on her 85th birth anniversary (Photo courtsey: Google)

NEW DELHI: Today's Google doodle commemorates the 85th birth anniversary of actor Meena Kumari , one of India's most beloved Bollywood icons.

The 'Tragedy Queen' of Bollywood, Kumari had a career that spanned more than 33 years, with her most noted appearances being in movies such as Pakeezah , Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam and Dil Ek Mandir.

Her performances and unique voice earned her the reputation of being "historically incomparable" in the world of Hindi cinema. In the words of Madhubala, another evergreen artist, Kumari "had the most unique voice". She had a gait and an aura which none of her contemporaries could match up to.

Born on August 1, 1933, as Mahjabeen Bano, she took baby steps in the industry at age four, under the screen name Baby Meena. Her first major debut was the movie Bachhon ka Khel (1946). Subsequently, she went on to feature and star in some 90-odd movies, most of which featured her in emotionally impactful roles.

Her work garnered praise from the likes of the late Satyajit Ray who described her as "an actor of high calibre" and Amitabh Bachchan. She was also a regular favourite at the Filmfare Awards, once having received all four nominations for Best Actress at the 10th Filmfare Awards in 1963. Of all the movies she starred in, Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam remains the most memorable work of her long career.

She wed Kamal Amrohi in 1952, but soon friction arose in the marriage and they separated. She then started drinking heavily, and ultimately succumbed to cirrhosis of the liver.

Apart from her acting prowess, Kumari also forayed into the world of poetry, getting her works published under the pseudonym Naaz. She even performed as a playback singer for movies till 1945, while still a child artist.

(With inputs from ANI)

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