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One of the well known Bollywood fashion designers is Bhanu Athaiya. She is one of the well-regarded costume designers in the Indian movie industry. She has worked in the film industry for over 50 years and won numerous accolades. Bhanu Athaiya had won the Oscar for her work in the movie `Gandhi`.

Presently she lives in the western Indian city of Mumbai. She was born as Bhanumati Annasaheb Rajopadhye on 28th of April in Kolhapur in the state of Maharashtra. She was born to Annasaheb and Shantabai Rajopadhye and was the third of seven children. She lost her father when she was still a child.

She married Satyendra Athaiya who was a poet and occasional lyricist for many Hindi movies. But then she separated and did not marry again. Both have a daughter who lives in Kolkata with her family.



Bhanu Athaiya has won many awards and some of the notable ones are The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award for Costume Design. She won this in 1982 with John Mollo for the movie `Gandhi`. Another award was The National Film Award for Best Costume Design for the movies Lekin in 1991 and Lagaan in 2002.

Some of the movies in which Bhanu Athaiya has designed costumes are -

Swades (2004), Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), Dhyasparva (2001), Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000), Prem (1995), The Cloud Door (Himmelspforte, Die) (1995), Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India - 1995, 1942: A Love Story - 1993, Sahibaan - 1993, Parampara - 1992, Henna - 1991, Ajooba - 1991, Lekin - 1990. Others are - Agneepath - 1990
Chandni -1989
Hero Hiralal - 1988
`Kaash` -1987
Sultanat -1986
Ram Teri Ganga Maili - 1985
Faasle - 1985
Salma -1985
Yaadon Ki Kasam - 1985
Tarang -1984
Razia Sultan -1983
Pukar -1983
Gandhi -1982
Prem Rog -1982
Nikaah -1982
Biwi-O-Biwi: The Fun-Film -1981
Hotel -1981
Rocky -1981
Insaaf Ka Tarazu -1980
Agreement -1980
Karz -1980
Abdullah -1980
These are only a few names from the long impressive list of movies in which Bhanu Athaiya has worked.

The dresses by Bhanu Athaiya in Lagaan are known for their authentic look which combines a rustic appeal along with simplicity. Lekin on the other hand concentrates on the folk culture and the dresses were designed in perfection keeping in sync with the Rajasthani appeal. Bhanu`s experience in the Bollywood for 50 years has contributed immensely for her growth as a fashion designer. She has experimented with looks and fabrics continuously to achieve the perfect look for the actors in the movies. Be it a period film, or a modern drama Bhanu is knowledgeable enough to get into the mood of the movie so that the dresses match the settings.

Learn about this famous Indian designer and her contribution to the Indian movie industry.

For information on Bhanu Athaiya, click on sitagita