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]

Alka Nupur Varshney
Nupur in arabasque after completion of a toda
Born1957 (age 66–67)
OccupationActress
Years active1979–1989
Notable work
SpouseBanwari Lal Varshney

Career

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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.[1] She lives in Delhi. She was awarded 'Braj Ratn' award in 2016.[5]


Filmography

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Alka Nupur in 1970s
Year Film Role Notes
1979 Ek Aur Suhagan Credited as Alka Nupoor
1981 Chashme Budoor
1981 Laawaris Guest Dancer in "Apni To Jaise Taise" Uncredited
1982 Brij Bhoomi Radha Lead role
1984 Purana Mandir Bijli
1984 John Jani Janardhan Asha/Cheryl
1984 Zakhmi Sher
1984 Harishchandra Shaibya Menaka Bengali Film
1985 Pataal Bhairavi Chitkari

Nalini

Double Role
1985 Jaago Nurse Mary
1985 Yaadon Ki Kasam Khanna Office Receptionist Credited as Alka Kapoor
1985 Paathar
1986 Jwala Music by Jagjit Singh
1985 Durgaa Credited as Alka Nupoor
1985 Mahara Pihar Sasra Soni Haryanvi film
1986 Zindagani Guest Dancer in "pyar ka hoon mein diwanwa"
1986 Swarthi
1987 Mr. X Credited as Alka Napoor Special Appearance in song "Parda Gazab Dhaye Parda"
1988 Jai Karoli Maa Mangala Lead role
1988 Mohabbat Ke Dushman Amina
1988 Chintamani Surdas Chintamani Lead role
1989 Jaadugar
1989 Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe Sonia

References

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  1. ^ a b "NOOPUR PERFORMING ARTS & RESEARCH CENTRE - 38003P IGNOU Study Centre RC Delhi 3". ignouportal. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Alka Noopur".
  3. ^ Kothari, Sunil (1 January 1989). Kathak, Indian Classical Dance Art. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 9788170172239 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Nupur - Expressive Language". India Today. 28 February 1978. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021.
  5. ^ "17 हस्तियों को मिलेगा ब्रज रत्‍‌न अवार्ड". m.jagran.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
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