Alka Nupur Explained

Alka Nupur Varshney
Birth Place:Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1979–1989
Notable Works:
Spouse:Banwari Lal Varshney

Alka Nupur[1] is a former Indian actress who was best known for her contributions to Hindi cinema throughout the 1980s. She appeared in many films throughout her career,[2] including Laawaris (1981), Brij Bhoomi (1982), John Jani Janardhan (1984), and Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988).[3]

Career

In her early years, Nupur first began her career as a Kathak dancer. She had also been taught by Birju Maharaj and Rani Karnaa, professional dancers. She received Government's National Cultural Scholarship at the age of 21.[4] Throughout her career, she would sometimes be credited as "Alka Noopur", "Alka Napoor" (in Mr. X) and "Alka Kapoor" (in Yaadon Ki Kasam).

She made her first appearance in films with Ek Aur Suhagan in 1979, and then went to make guest appearances in films such as Chashme Buddoor (1 minute's appearance). In 1981, she made an uncredited appearance dancing in Laawaris for "Apni To Jaise Taise." She gained fame for her dancing as the song and movie were hits.In 1982, she had her first starring role in Brij Bhoomi as Radha. Following this, she went and starred in other films such as Purana Mandir and John Jani Janardhan.

She made more guest and side appearances in films like Zakhmi Sher, and also starred as Chitkari in Pataal Bhairavi.

In 1988, she starred in a major role as Amina Bai in Mohabbat Ke Dushman. She had starred as another main role in Chintamani Surdas.

In the final years of her career, she was cast in Jaadugar, and appeared in Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe as Sonia, which was her last film before she retired from the film industry.

Her major association was with music director, lyricist and singer Ravindra Jain. Both of them belonged to the same city. Together they did 6 films:- Brajbhoomi, Mr. X, Mhara Peehar Sasra, Harishchandra Shaibya, Jai Karoli Maa and Chintamani Surdas.

Presently, she is married to Banwari Lal Varshney and runs Noopur Centre of Performing Arts in Gurgaon which is affiliated to IGNOU where CPABN(Certificate of Performing Arts-Bharatnatyam) and CPAKT(Certificate of Performing Arts-Kathak) courses are taught. She lives in Delhi. She was awarded 'Braj Ratn' award in 2016.[5]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1979Ek Aur SuhaganCredited as Alka Nupoor
1981Chashme Budoor
1981LaawarisGuest Dancer in "Apni To Jaise Taise"Uncredited
1982Brij BhoomiRadhaLead role
1984Purana MandirBijli
1984John Jani JanardhanAsha/Cheryl
1984Zakhmi Sher
1984Harishchandra ShaibyaMenakaBengali Film
1985Pataal BhairaviChitkariNaliniDouble Role
1985JaagoNurse Mary
1985Yaadon Ki KasamKhanna Office ReceptionistCredited as Alka Kapoor
1985Paathar
1986JwalaMusic by Jagjit Singh
1985DurgaaCredited as Alka Nupoor
1985Mahara Pihar SasraSoniHaryanvi film
1986ZindaganiGuest Dancer in "pyar ka hoon mein diwanwa"
1986Swarthi
1987Mr. XCredited as Alka NapoorSpecial Appearance in song "Parda Gazab Dhaye Parda"
1988Jai Karoli MaaMangalaLead role
1988Mohabbat Ke DushmanAmina
1988Chintamani SurdasChintamaniLead role
1989Jaadugar
1989Mil Gayee Manzil MujheSonia

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NOOPUR PERFORMING ARTS & RESEARCH CENTRE - 38003P IGNOU Study Centre RC Delhi 3. 2021-12-26. ignouportal.
  2. Web site: Alka Noopur.
  3. Book: Kothari, Sunil. Kathak, Indian Classical Dance Art. 1 January 1989. Abhinav Publications. 9788170172239 . Google Books.
  4. Web site: 28 February 1978. Nupur - Expressive Language. live. India Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20211226110311/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19780228-allan-fernandes-and-pramod-mathur-receive-pata-award-822870-2014-05-05 . 26 December 2021 .
  5. Web site: 17 हस्तियों को मिलेगा ब्रज रत्‍‌न अवार्ड. 2021-12-26. m.jagran.com. hi.