Leela Desai

Leela Desai, aka Lila Desai, was a famous Indian actress in the 1930s and 1940s. She was the daughter of Umedram Lalbhai Desai and his second wife Satyabala Devi, a famous musician in the early 1900s.

Leela was born in Newark, New Jersey when her parents were on a 3-year American tour. Her father was a Gujarati and her mother was from Bihar, India. She grew up in India. She acted in 11 Indian movies and was the associate producer of the movie, Kabuliwali in 1961.(1) In 1944, Leela also acted in the movie Kaliyan with her sister Ramola. Ramola also acted in the film Lalkar in the same year.

Formal education in classical Hindustani dancing under Sohanlal and Lacchumaharaj.Academic education in Music in Morrice College(Lucknow).Acted in the movie "Nagagnarayan" produced by Vishram Bedekar in 1943."Leela Desai had been invited by the students of the Intermediate College in 1941. Bangalore had the distinction of holding festivals of films made by New Theatres' and Prabhat Film Co."

".N. Sircar's empire introduced personalities of the stature of P.C. Barua, Bimal Roy, Debaki Bose, Leela Desai, Phani Majumdar, Timir Baran, Umashashi, Nitin Bose, K.. Saigal, Pankaj Mullick, Nemo, Sisir Kumar Bhaduri and Jamuna, all of whom later earned all India fame, under the banner of New Theatres. Among his technical achievements were the bringing of sound to Calcutta for Bengali films, and the introduction of the playback system. The elephant logo of New Theatres acted as a magnet to draw crowds throughout the country." More about B.N. Sircar B. N. Sircar

Lila Desai was a dancer and a follower of Sohan Lal [1]

"The third Kapal Kundala released after a decade from the first Kapal Kundala in 1939. This time the movie was directed by both Nitin Bose and Phani Majumdar. Leela Desai played the role for Kapal Kundala."

Phani Majumder [2] Phani Majumdar married Leela Desai's sister Monica Desai.

Leela Desai was trained in the "Bhatkhande Music Institute established in Lucknow in 1926 has played a vital role in training generations of performing artistes, dedicated gurus and gifted composers...Lucknow has contributed music directors, (like Naushad, Madan Mohan, Roshan), actors and actresses (like Kumar, Iftekar, Akhtari Bai, Bina Rai, Yashodhara Katju, Swaranlata), singers (Talat Mahmud, Anup Jalota, Dilraj Kaur, Krishna Kalle), writers (like Amritlal Nagar, Bhagawati Sharan Varma, Achala Nagar), lyricists and dancers. Lachhu Maharaj was a very successful choreographer for many films. Pahadi Sanyal, Leela Desai and Kamlesh Kumari of New Theatres at Calcutta were all trained here."

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