31 January - Suraiya Jamal Sheikh death anniversary

Suraiya Jamal Sheikh (15 June 1929 – 31 January 2004), popularly known by the mononym Suraiya, was a popular actress and playback singer in India's Hindi language films. She was active from 1936 to 1963.

In a career spanning from 1936 to 1963, Suraiya acted in 67 films and sang 338 songs. She was one of the greatest actresses of the Hindi Cinema and a leading lady in Hindi language films in the 1940s and 1950s.She was also a renowned playback singer, who mostly sang for herself, starting from a song in Nai Duniya (1942) when she was only 12 years old.

She was known for her North Indian Muslim feudal style acting or adakari in many of her films Suraiya made her first appearance as a child artist with the film Madame Fashion (1936), directed by Jaddan Bai. She made her acting debut with the film Taj Mahal in which she played the role of Mumtaz Mahal. In her heydays, she was known as Malika-e-Husn (queen of beauty), Malika-e-Tarannum (queen of melody) and Malika-e-Adakari (queen of acting). Suraiya was the highest-paid actress in the 1940s and 1950s and won several awards for her performances in Indian films.

12 May - Katharine Hepburn - American stage and film actress was born

 

Katharine Hepburn (12 May 1907 – 29 June 2003).She was a legendary American actress known for her fierce independence, intelligence, and distinctive voice. She had a career spanning over six decades and appeared in more than 60 films. Hepburn won four Academy Awards for Best Actress, a record that still stands, and she was nominated for a total of 12 Oscars.

Hepburn's acting style was characterized by her natural grace, wit, and strength, often portraying strong-willed and independent women. Some of her most famous films include "The Philadelphia Story," "Bringing Up Baby," "The African Queen," and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner."

Off-screen, Hepburn was known for her unconventional lifestyle, defying societal norms and expectations, and her long-time relationship with fellow actor Spencer Tracy, despite his marriage to another woman. She was also known for her outspokenness and advocacy for causes such as women's rights and environmental conservation.

Hepburn's legacy extends far beyond her film career; she remains an icon of American cinema and a symbol of strength and resilience for generations of fans.