I had come to Pune for taking pics of Dastkari Haat Festival. The friends whom I was staying with asked me to visit their son ka school, Vishwashanti Gurukul. Seeing my reluctance they said there is a Raj Kapoor Museum. My eyes popped up - never heard of this before. The museum is where RK''s farmhouse used to be, today it is the MIT Campus. View as we enter museum. U see Raj Kapoor dressed as he was in the movie Jis Desh Mein Ganga bahti Hai.
The Museum is made of seven pagodas, was inaugurated in May 2014. This is not only about RK but a host of other stars some of whom worked with him. It is actually a Bollywood Museum covering period starting with RK and ending with Amitabh / Jaya. Pagoda as you shall see later has images on either sides.
This is the main hall as you enter. Made a mistake here, should have asked lady to switch off red lights. Songs from RK movies start playing when you enter the museum. Very nostalgic.Took me into a different and unforgettable era.
Movie is Shree 420. Wherever possible have given references of RK movies, some places I do not know, missed an assistant who usually makes notes. "Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, Pakistan to Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni (Rama) Devi Kapoor (née Mehra)."
Look in movie Mera Naam Joker. The museum also has Raj Kapoor ki Samadhi. It is a very peaceful and serene place made close to Raj Kapoor''s bungalow that stands today as was.
Not sure which movie. Sometimes I wonder if Mera Naam Joker was a movie closest to Raj Kapoor''s heart. "His first film was INQUILAB produced in the year1935. After acting in several films over the next 12 years, Raj Kapoor''s big break came with the lead role in NEEL KAMAL (1947) opposite Madhubala which was her first role as a leading lady."
Movie is Jis Desh Mein Ganga Bahti Hai. "In 1948, at the age of 24, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and became the youngest film director of his generation making his directorial debut with the film AAG."
So far images of room where we entered. This corridor is inside of what u saw in pic two. It has images on either side. ""Mr. Kapoor won many awards throughout his career, including 9 FILMFARE AWARDS and 19 nominations."
RK and Nargisji in the movie Jagte Raho. " The movie won the Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival."
Pyar Hua Ikarar Hua - Raj Kapoor & Nargis - Shree 420. To hear this super song Click here
RK in the movie Dharam Karam. "The Government of India honoured him with the PADMA BHUSHAN in 1971 and the DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD in 1987 – the highest award for cinematic excellence in India."
RK and Waheeda Rehman in the movie Teesri Kasam. Every Raj Kapoor movie had a social message and lovely songs that are remembered to this day. "His films AWAARA (1951) and BOOT POLISH (1954) were nominated for the Palme d''Or at the CANNES FILM FESTIVAL."
RK in the movie Sangam, an all time favourite. "The Memorial on Raj Kapoor has been built at MIT Loni Rajbaug campus which is 30 kms away from the Pune city."
Nargis in Mother India. Pic behind shows her with Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar. "The life of Raj Kapoor and scenes of his films are depicted at this Memorial. This Memorial was developed under the guidance of Sanjay Sing, Sanjay Chatterji and Prashant Valukar, directors of Indian Traditional Cultural Centre." Great work.
The one and only Prithviraj Kapoor, father of RK in the movie Sikander that was released in 1941. Saw the movie on TV. Prithvirajji looked so handsome n dashing. For a minute I thought it was Shashi Kapoor. Movie based on Alexander invasion of India.
Movie SHREE 420. To listen to song Mera Jootha Hai Japani Click here
RK in the movie Saudagar where Hema Malini was the heroine. Information about Raj Kapoor and Museum from MIT International School of Broadcasting and Journalism site. To read more Click here
The next room is dedicated to musicians. Centre is Lata Mangeshwar (see her pic behind image), right is Mukesh, extreme left is Bharat Bhushan, on his right is Asha Bhonsle.
In the same room is Manna Dey. Randhir Kapoor said, "I am very happy for the respect shown towards my father, Raj Kapoorji, the greatest showman of Hindi cinema. My father is not alive today but I feel that he is alive and lives in this place in every work and lives in this memorial."
The one and only Kishore Kumar Da.
Close up of Bharat Bhushan. "“It was the dream of Raj Kapoor and his family that this land should be used for educational purposes. This great artist has given a unique message to the society. Therefore, we were tempted to build this memorial which reflects Indian culture through the cinema,” said the founding president of World Peace Center, Alandi, Vishwanath D Karad."
Come to the next hall. U see Ashok Kumar.
Left is Durga Khote. Remember her fondly in the Subhash Ghai movie KARZ, 1980. Right think it is Nanda.
V Shantaram, whom I associate with the movie Dr Potnis ki Amar Kahani.
What a man! Guru Dutt with Waheeda Rahman. Listen to song Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam Click here
Another favourite Balraj Sahni. I remember him for many a movie primarily Bimal Roy classic Do Bigha Zamin.
Next room is dedicated to villains amongst others. Centre is Amjad Khan, extreme right is Ajit, extreme left is Sohrab Modi (whom I love, not a villain thought). Do not recall name of other person on left of Gabbar Singh.
This pic of Prem Nath has not come well, dressed as he was in the movie Bobby - a memorable role. I remember him for roles in Johnny Mera Naam, Bobby, Karz. Had his own unique style.
Shashi and Shammi Kapoor. Shammiji ke gane, get me wanting to dance anytime of the day or night. To hear classic Hasina Zulfo Wali from Teesri Manzil Click here
Ham tum ek kamree mein bandh hoo aur chabi kho jaye. What a rage the movie Bobby was when released in 1973. Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia made a great pair. Chemistry was seen again in the movie Sagar released in the 1980''s.
The one and only Madhubalaji. Her dance in the movie Howrah Bridge gets me on a high always. Right is Mala Sinha. Left of pic I think is Rajshree, daughter of V Shantaram. Listen to this wow number from Howrah Bridge titled Aayee meherban Click here
Sangam heroine Vaijayanti Mala. Mehra Uncle helped with caption of older movies. Many thanks Uncle. Errors in caption are all mine.
Structure on our right is Smt Krishna Raj Kapoor reception hall. This looks like a old time film set.
As you enter the hall see this image of Smt Kapoor and Raj Kapoor. Loved it.
Return to the Museum - this is another corridor like what you saw earlier. Raj Kapoor was very popular in Russia
Click here
Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand with Prime Minister Nehru. These three were a very popular trip during 1950-60.
Raj Kapoor towards the end. Pic that you see, if I recall correctly, is when he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987.
Inside Raj Kapoor ki Samadhi. Raj Kapoor with his parents Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni (Rama) Devi Kapoor (née Mehra). Loved being in the Samadhi area. Very peaceful and serene. Seeing this scene remember that every RK movie started with Prithvirajji praying to Shivji.
A close up of Raj Kapoor with his parents. To know about the Raj Kapoor family tree Click here
Walls in marble. Peacock so well made. Loved the place. Wish could stay there longer. About Raj Kapoor''s movies
Click here
Rajendra Kumar or Jubilee Kumar as he was popularly known for the number of hit movies he acted in. Those days movies ran for 25,50 weeks. While Dilip Kumar was tragedy king, Rajendra Kumar became a Romantic Dilip Kumar.
The one and only Lalita Pawar. Remember her for roles in RK movie ANARI and Professor with Shammi Kapoor.
Remember DAVID so fondly, acted in many a RK movie for eg Boot Polish. Also loved him in An Evening in Paris with Shammi Kapoor.
Dharmendra (Garam-Dharam) and Hema Malini.
Jaya Bhaduri and Amitabh Bachchan.
Sanjeev Kumar, one of the most versatile actors of his era. Remember his roles in Sholay and Silsila fondly.
This room is dedicated to comedians with Raj Kapoor playing the role of a Joker in Mera Naam Joker. Loved this movie, seemed like Raj Kapoorji had brought his life''s emotions and stories in this movie. Also featured a Russian actress which symbolised RK ka popularity in Russia.
The one and only Om Prakash. Remember him fondly in movies Dus Lakh and Zanjeer.
One with a inimitable style Bhagwan, became very popular after the movie ALBELA.
Johny Walker. The song Hee Malish in a Guru Dutt movie is still popular.
MUKRI. He made us laugh in many a movie. Remember him in KARZ where he played the role of a school principal.
There are 2 board titled Glorious Moments in Hindi Cinema. One was Prithviraj Kapoor that you saw earlier, the second is GUIDE directed by Goldie Anand starring dashing Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. Seen GUIDE atleast 5 times, the songs are evergreen. To hear Gata rahee mera dil song from GUIDE Click here
This scene appeared in the song Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi from the movie AWAARA. U see image of Brahma. To hear song Click here
Image of NATARAJA. "The significance of the Nataraja (Nataraj) sculpture is said to be that Shiva is shown as the source of all movement within the cosmos, represented by the arch of flames. The purpose of the dance is to release men from illusion of the idea of the "self" and of the physical world."Do visit the Raj Kapoor Museum at Rajbaug. You will return with fond memories and thank all those who were associated with its making. Pranams to Bollywood ka biggest and best showman RAJ KAPOOR.