The internet search engine and technology giant Google has honoured 114th birth anniversary of legendary Indian singer and actor Kundanlal Saigal, popularly known as KL Saigal, with a sketch doodle on its home page.
In the
doodle, the singer's sketch has been shown with a mike in front and behind him
the first 'o' of the logo Google in capital letters. In the background, Kolkata's
skyline with stars and famous buildings has been shown. The sketch also has
motor cars and the tram which were then the highlights of the city.
KL Saigal is considered to be the first superstar of Hindi film
industry who excelled both in singing and acting in a typical style.
Saigal (11 April 1904; Jammu – 18 January 1947; Jalandhar),
started his film career in Kolkata and later shifted to Mumbai. He was
born in Jammu to Tehsildar Amarchand Saigal and Kesarbai Saigal. His
father worked at the court of the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. As a child, he
took part in religious kirtan singing and played the role of Sita during Ram
Leela in Jammu.
As an adult, he was introduced to RC Boral and started working in
BN Sircar's film studio New Theatres. Later, he came in contact with
contemporaries like KC Dey, Pahari Sanyal and Pankaj Mullick and his career as
a singer and actor started taking shape.
Later he shifted to Bombay, where he acted in and sang for hit
movies and is still remembered for his style of singing and acting.
