Devika Rani Chaudhuri, usually known as Devika Rani, was an Indian actress who was active in Hindi films during the 1930s and 1940s. She was the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and was also awarded the Padma Shri. Widely acknowledged as the First Lady of Indian cinema, Devika Rani had a successful film career that spanned 10 years.
Rani in Nirmala (1938)
Rabindranath Tagore in 1931 with Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai
Devika Rani kissing Himanshu Rai in Karma (1933).
Devika Rani in Vachan (1938)
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in the field of cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The recipient is honoured for their "great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema" and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry. The award comprises a Swarna Kamal medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000 (US$13,000).
The 2021 recipient: Waheeda Rehman
Dadasaheb Phalke, often credited as "The Father of Indian Cinema", made India's first full-length feature, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
Image: Devika Rani 2011 stamp of India
Image: Birendranath Sircar 2013 stamp of India