Cukoo
Encyclopedia
Cukoo, also credited as Cuckoo, was an Anglo-Indian
dancer and Actress in Indian cinema (1929–1981). Cukoo was the queen of film dancing in the 1940s. Though unfamiliar name, she was known as "rubber girl" of Hindi cinema and her talent made cabaret
a must in the Bollywood films during the 1950s and 1970s.
established her as the lead dancer of the era and in Andaz
(1949), a romantic drama starring Nargis
, Dilip Kumar
, and Raj Kapoor
, and gave the dancer an opportunity to display her acting skills.
It has been recently confirmed that Cuckoo’s real name was Cuckoo Moray
came along in the industry. Cukoo was a family friend of the Anglo-Burmese
dancer and actress Helen. Cukoo had introduced a 13-year-old Helen into films as a chorus dancer in the films like Shabistan and Awaara
(1951). She also helped actor Pran get a break in Ziddi
. Cukoo and Helen most notably appeared in song and dance sequences together like in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
.
Cukoo died in 1981. Little to no information is publicly known about her personal life, not even her real name, birth date, or exactly how and when she died.
Anglo-Indian
Anglo-Indians are people who have mixed Indian and British ancestry, or people of British descent born or living in India, now mainly historical in the latter sense. British residents in India used the term "Eurasians" for people of mixed European and Indian descent...
dancer and Actress in Indian cinema (1929–1981). Cukoo was the queen of film dancing in the 1940s. Though unfamiliar name, she was known as "rubber girl" of Hindi cinema and her talent made cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
a must in the Bollywood films during the 1950s and 1970s.
Career
Cukoo made her screen debut in the film Arab Ka Sitara in (1946). Then soon after in Stum Chandi, in which the large audience and directors noticed her dancing abilities for the first time. Then there was the turning point in Cukoo's career were in Melibmih Khan's films. Her dance numbers in his film Anokhi AdaAnokhi Ada
Anokhi Ada is a 1973 Bollywood romance film directed by Kundan Kumar. The film stars Jeetendra, Rekha, Vinod Khanna.-Cast:*Jeetendra... Rakesh*Rekha ... Neeta Gupta*Vinod Khanna ... Gopal*Padma Khanna ... Radhika*Mehmood ... Dr. Captain Bhushan...
established her as the lead dancer of the era and in Andaz
Andaz
Andaz is a 1949 Indian Hindi film, directed by Mehboob Khan, music by Naushad. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Nargis and Raj Kapoor in a love triangle. Andaz is the only movie that stars Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor together. Cukoo and Murad also appear in supporting roles...
(1949), a romantic drama starring Nargis
Nargis
Nargis Dutt , born Fatima Rashid but known by her screen name, Nargis, was an Indian film actress. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Hindi cinema. She made her screen debut as a child in Talash-E-Haq in 1935, but her acting carer began in 1942 with Tamanna...
, Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar , is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament.He lives in Pali Hill, Bandra in Mumbai, India. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray....
, and Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor
Known as Ranbir Raj Kapoor Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara and Boot Polish were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the...
, and gave the dancer an opportunity to display her acting skills.
It has been recently confirmed that Cuckoo’s real name was Cuckoo Moray
Later life
Cukoo remained the best dancer in Hindi films until dancers like Helen and VyjayanthimalaVyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
came along in the industry. Cukoo was a family friend of the Anglo-Burmese
Anglo-Burmese
The Anglo-Burmese, also known as the Anglo-Burmans, are a community of Eurasians of Burmese and European descent, and emerged as a distinct community through mixed relations between the British and other European settlers and the indigenous peoples of Burma from 1826 until 1948 when Burma gained...
dancer and actress Helen. Cukoo had introduced a 13-year-old Helen into films as a chorus dancer in the films like Shabistan and Awaara
Awaara
Awaara is a 1951 Hindi film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor who also plays the leading role. His real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Kapoor's youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character...
(1951). She also helped actor Pran get a break in Ziddi
Ziddi
Ziddi may refer to:*Ziddi *Ziddi *Ziddi...
. Cukoo and Helen most notably appeared in song and dance sequences together like in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi is a famous 1958 Bollywood comedy. The film featured Kishore Kumar, his two brothers Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar, and Madhubala. Kishore Kumar sang many of the songs in the film, along with Asha Bhosle. The music was composed by SD Burman, and the lyrics were written by...
.
Cukoo died in 1981. Little to no information is publicly known about her personal life, not even her real name, birth date, or exactly how and when she died.
Selected filmography
- AndazAndazAndaz is a 1949 Indian Hindi film, directed by Mehboob Khan, music by Naushad. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Nargis and Raj Kapoor in a love triangle. Andaz is the only movie that stars Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor together. Cukoo and Murad also appear in supporting roles...
(1949) - Barsaat (1949)
- ArzooArzoo (1950 film)Arzoo is a 1950 Bollywood film produced by Hiten Chaudhary and directed by Shaheed Latif. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Kamini Kaushal and Shashikala. The films music is by Anil Biswas. Cukoo appears as a dancer in the song Aao Milke Jawani Ki Loote Bahaar.-Cast:*Kamini Kaushal ... Kamini...
(1950) - Hamari Beti (1950)
- HulchulHulchul (1951 film)Hulchul is a 1951 Hindi movie produced by K. Asif and directed by S K Ojha. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Nargis, Jeevan, and Balraj Sahni....
(1951) - AwaaraAwaaraAwaara is a 1951 Hindi film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor who also plays the leading role. His real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Kapoor's youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character...
(1951) - AanAanAan , also known as The Savage Princess in the U.S.A, is a 1952 technicolor Hindi musical produced and directed by the legendary Mehboob Khan, it is said to be India's first technicolour film. It stars Dilip Kumar, Premnath, Nimmi and marked the debut of Nadira who replaced the original choice...
(1952) - Mr. and Mrs. 55 (1955)
- Chalti Ka Naam GaadiChalti Ka Naam GaadiChalti Ka Naam Gaadi is a famous 1958 Bollywood comedy. The film featured Kishore Kumar, his two brothers Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar, and Madhubala. Kishore Kumar sang many of the songs in the film, along with Asha Bhosle. The music was composed by SD Burman, and the lyrics were written by...
(1958) - YahudiYahudiYahudi is a 1958 Bollywood film directed by Bimal Roy. It starred Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari, Sohrab Modi, Nasir Hussain, Nigar Sultana and others....
(1958) - Mujhe Jeene DoMujhe Jeene DoMujhe Jeene Do is a 1963 Hindi film directed by Moni Bhattacharjee. This dacoit-drama stars Sunil Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Nirupa Roy, Rajendranath and Mumtaz....
(1963)