No one celebrated life and lived it to the fullest like Zohra Sehgal did. A woman who lived her life on her own terms, celebrated art at a time when it was shunned upon by many and became the first Indian woman to learn ballet in Germany- Zohra Sehgal was ahead of her times. Here is a look at the landmark events in the actresses life.
1912: Born on 27 April into a traditional Muslim family in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, to Mumtazullah Khan and Natiqua Begum. She was the third of the seven children that the couple had.
1913: Lost her vision in the left eye due to glaucoma. Was treated later at a hospital in Birmingham.
1920s: Was sent to Queen Mary College, Lahore for graduation. It was her mother's last wish.
1920s: Upon graduating, traveled to Europe with her maternal uncle Sahebzada Saeeduzzafar Khan to train under a british actor.
1930s: Was the first Indian woman to learn ballet at renowned dancer Mary Wigman's ballet school in Dresden, Germany. Having brought up under strict purdah, it was her first tryst with the art form.
1930s: It was during her stay in Europe that she watched famous Indian choreographer Uday Shankar's production 'Shiv-Parvati'. Mesmerized by the performances, Zohra went backstage to ask Shankar whether she could join his troupe.
1935: She joined his troupe and danced across Japan, Egypt, Europe and the US, as a leading lady, along with French dancer, Simkie.
1940: Moved back to India and became a teacher at the Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre at Almora where she met her future husband, scientist-artist-choreographer Kameshwar Sehgal.
1942: On 14 August, Zohra who had earlier pledged not to marry married Kameshwar Sehgal who was eight years junior to her.
1945: The Segals moved to Lahore with their children Kiran and Pawan to set up the Zohresh Dance Institute.
1945: They moved back to Mumbai as communal tensions rise and Zohra joins Prithvi Theatre (the association lasts for 14 years). Also acts in plays staged by the Indian People's Theatre Association.
1946: Zohra Sehgal featured in her first film role in K.A. Abbas's 'Dharti Ke Lal'. Also is part of Chetan Anand's 'Neecha Nagar' the same year which became the first Indian film to gain critical international recognition and win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
1959: Husband Kameshwar passed away and the widowed Zohra moved to Delhi to head the newly formed Natya Academy.
1962: Zohra wins a dance scholarship that takes her and children to London. She teaches dance to make ends meet.
1982: After years of struggle and a sporadic career, she was signed up by Merchant Ivory Productions and acted in James Ivory's 'The Courtesans of Bombay'.
1984: She makes her grand debut as Lady Chatterjee in 'The Jewel in the Crown'.
1994: Zohra Seghal was diagnosed with cancer-but beats it.
1998: Was awarded the Padma Shri
2010: Awarded with Padma Vibhushan
2012: She became the longest-living actor to have appeared on 'Doctor Who', as well as the first centenarian associated with the show.
2014: Paases away in New Delhi after suffering a cardiac arrest.
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