Girija

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Girija is a famous Indian actress. However, she is only half Indian (on her father's side), her other side being English. She was born and brought up in England, leaving for India to learn classical south Indian dance and drama at the age of 18.

Her most successful film to date was in Mani Ratnam's Geethanjali (c.1989) opposite Akkineni Nagarjuna, in which she played a terminally ill patient. This film was the biggest hit of the year in two states: Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and continues to be a well-loved film. Girija won numerous film awards for this film and attracted much press attention, including the front page of Screen, India (June 30, 1989 issue). And all this despite (reportedly) bets on set that she would not be a success because of her (for the highly cultured south Indian industry) unorthodox appearance and demeanour.

The film critic Tejaswini Niranjana wrote (1991): "...the heroine is the new woman, the strong heroine, the inheritor of a refracted modernity in a context where femininity is once again being redefined [placing on her] the burden of saviour and teacher who has to be the one to provide support, when the hero in a similar situation [sings] sad songs. However, she is allowed to take the initiative in the relationship because in spite of her shoulder-length hair she is 'Indian' and a signifier of the good modernity". (Ref:Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema", by Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen, page 450).

In a 2002 retropsective of Mani Ratnam's work at the British Film Institute, "Geethanjali" was shown with around 4 other Ratnam films, and Girija's portrayal of Geethanjali was cited as an example of the "strong willed independent women" portrayed in his films. Wikipedia lists awards received by the film as: Golden Lotus Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment in 1990 National Film Awards (India); Bangaru Nandi Award - Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, from the State Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (see Wikipedia: Geethanjali, Mani Ratnam).

Her work in Geethanjali influenced Mansoor Khan and Nasir Hussain (director and producer of the beautiful and sensitive Quayamat Se Quayamat Tak) to cast Girija opposite Aamir Khan in their 1992 feature Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. However, due to a conflict of dates and producers between an art film Girija was involved in in Chennai and the Hindi project, Girija chose to honour her commitment to the Chennai film and drop out of the Hindi project. (The producer chose to maintain some of her shots in the original film, making her appear as an extra.)

Girija's second film was "Vandanam". She starred opposite the nationally feted Malayalam actor Mohanlal. The film was directed by Priya Darshan and featured several well-loved and respected Malayalam artists. Again, there were concerns that Girija's untraditional demeanour would endanger the success of the film. However, the film was a great success and continues to be watched and enjoyed today (2006/2007).

Her third film is entitled "Hrydanjali" ("The offering up of the heart"). It was made on a relatively low budget but had high technological value. The director Dr A Raghu Rami Reddy worked with a national award winning crew: DOP - Madhu Ambath; art director Krishnamoorthy; and music director Vaidaynathan (assisted at one point by the then unknown A R Rahman). The film won several awards, including a national award nomination for Girija as best actress. (Gossip circulating at the time had it that Girija had been voted best actress but that this was retracted due to political string-pulling, which saw the award go to another south Indian actress). Although this film made its money back and is thus classed, in production terms, as a success, it did not do good box office. It is not widely known and cannot be obtained on video cassette or DVD. Only cassettes of the music were distributed.

In August 2007, Girija returned to film. Working with young Brtiish director Richard Clarke she completed "Slide Away", the story of a woman who has to conquer death in order to learn that the soul is immortal and that love connects souls, whether they are in a physical body or not. Girija took a long break from filmmaking, despite being offered roles, including another from the esteemed director Mani Ratnam. Entranced with India, she had become deeply involved in the study and practise of Hindu philosophy and religion.

She returned to England in 1998 to complete an MA in Indian religions and a PhD in the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo.

She is now a writer, living in London. She continues to study the craft of acting and to collaborate with artists and filmmakers.

Girijā is a name for goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Siva. Girija is defined in Sanskrit as parvatha raja tanaya, meaning the daughter of the king of mountains. Girija is also a commonly used name for Prime Minister of Nepal, Girija Prasad Koirala