Raj Kapoor: 'The Tramp' lives on

The son of famous film giant Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor started out as a clapper boy. He wrested his first film role at the age of 11. In 1948 he set up his own studio and made his first feature film, Aag. Aag was a trendsetter in that it challenged the traditional order of sympathetic characters and straightforward storytelling. It this film, he partnered Nargis whose off and on screen chemistry caught the public attention in other movies as well.

Aag ranked among other successes, such as Barsaat and Shri 420. He also appealed to patriotic sentiment in films such as Aag and Jis desh mein Ganga behti hai (The country in which the Ganges flows). One of Kapoor's film songs in which he pays tribute to his motherland goes as follows:

My shoes are Japanese
And the trousers are English
The cap on my head is Russian
But my heart is Hindustani

Kapoor's songs and films captured the hearts of audiences not just in India but also in large parts of Africa, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union.

After the box office failure of Mera Naam Joker (My name is Joker), his films took a more sensual turn. Take for instance, Bobby, which telescoped the love story of two youngsters, played ably by his son Rishi Kapoor and the exquisite Dimple Kapadia. Then followed Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Ram Teri Ganga Maili. One critic has aptly described him as exhibiting 'the carnality of a schoolboy' in his films.

To Kapoor goes the credit of introducing new talents in films such as his sons Rishi, Raj, Nimmi, Dimple Kapadia, Zeenat Aman and Mandakini. He also roped in music directors Shankar-Jaikishan and lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri under his banner. In addition, the songs of Barsaat, Andaaz and Mahal were instrumental in catapulting Lata Mangeshkar to the top as a playback singer. Raj Kapoor's innate musical sense gave his films a unique and memorable touch.

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent