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Zohra! A Biography In Four Acts
Description
Zohra Segal (1912-2014) spanned an Indian century of the arts and became
the only woman to make a mark in all the performing arts, with the exception
of music, within the country and abroad. This elegant biography traces her
remarkable journey.
Born into a family with connections to the nawabs of Rampur, Zohra
Mumtazullah Khan chose adventure over tradition when she was eighteen,
travelling to Germany to learn modern dance. For the rest of her life,
she continued to defy convention and was associated with transformative
initiatives in the arts. In 1935, she was recruited by the bohemian genius
Uday Shankar and toured the world with his dance troupe, until he disbanded
it. In 1943, she set up a unique dance school in Lahore with her husband
Kameshwar Segal, eight years her junior. In Bombay two years later, she joined
Prithvi Theatres, founded by the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor. For the next
fourteen years she travelled across India, taking socially relevant plays directly
to the people—through the turbulence of Partition and the heady idealism
following Independence, and the tragedy of Kameshwar’s suicide.
In 1962, Zohra went to London on a drama scholarship and stayed on for
twenty-five years, becoming part of a tiny band of Asian artistes who would
change the complexion of British theatre. From here to her participation in
pioneering TV series and films like Doctor Who, Jewel in the Crown and Bhaji
on the Beach was a natural progression. Back in India, she was surprised
to find Bollywood at her door when she was well past eighty. Playing the
unconventional grandmother—by turns charming and crusty—she became a
household name.
In this biography of the unlikely star, Ritu Menon helps us understand both
the performer and the person, and the times she lived in
Zohra Segal (1912-2014) spanned an Indian century of the arts and became
the only woman to make a mark in all the performing arts, with the exception
of music, within the country and abroad. This elegant biography traces her
remarkable journey.
Born into a family with connections to the nawabs of Rampur, Zohra
Mumtazullah Khan chose adventure over tradition when she was eighteen,
travelling to Germany to learn modern dance. For the rest of her life,
she continued to defy convention and was associated with transformative
initiatives in the arts. In 1935, she was recruited by the bohemian genius
Uday Shankar and toured the world with his dance troupe, until he disbanded
it. In 1943, she set up a unique dance school in Lahore with her husband
Kameshwar Segal, eight years her junior. In Bombay two years later, she joined
Prithvi Theatres, founded by the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor. For the next
fourteen years she travelled across India, taking socially relevant plays directly
to the people—through the turbulence of Partition and the heady idealism
following Independence, and the tragedy of Kameshwar’s suicide.
In 1962, Zohra went to London on a drama scholarship and stayed on for
twenty-five years, becoming part of a tiny band of Asian artistes who would
change the complexion of British theatre. From here to her participation in
pioneering TV series and films like Doctor Who, Jewel in the Crown and Bhaji
on the Beach was a natural progression. Back in India, she was surprised
to find Bollywood at her door when she was well past eighty. Playing the
unconventional grandmother—by turns charming and crusty—she became a
household name.
In this biography of the unlikely star, Ritu Menon helps us understand both
the performer and the person, and the times she lived in
272 pages, Hardcover
Published July 17, 2021
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 9, 2026
4.75 ⭐
GENRE - BIOGRAPHY
PAGES - 258
WHAT A LIFE!! is the one thought that comes to my mind after reading this book. My first impression of actor Zoya Sehgal is when I watched her in the Shahrukh, Manisha Koirala and Priti Zinta starrer Dil se where she played the role of Shahrukh Khan's Grandmother.
To begin with she came from an aristocratic muslim family from Rampur United Province her ancestors had fought the British in the 1857 uprising. Dancing was never accepted in her culture and even her school was at Lahore where strict "purdah" was observed. Her maternal uncle Memphis who lived in Edinburgh introduced her to acting and he arranged for her to apprentice under a British Actor.
Later she joined the Mary Wingman Ballet School in Dresden Germany upon encouragement by her Aunt, her father was also supportive of her decision although since she came from a Muslim family it wasn't easy during that period.
After completing her study and becoming the first Indian to Graduate from the Dance School in 1935 she joined the Uday Shankar dance troupe until 1942.
She met her husband Kameshwar Sehgal during this period and married him later by going against her father although her uncle Memphis was very supportive of her decision. It wasn't easy at that time for Muslim to marry a Hindu then.
She joined Prithvi Theatre in 1945 and continued to be a part of it until her husband death by suicide in the year 1959
SHE WAS PART OF THE MOVIE "NEECHA NAGAR" WHICH WON THE TOP PRIZE IN CANNES FILM FESTIVAL IN 1946
After her husband's untimely death she left Bombay and shifted to London where she decided to complete her studies in Acting. She graduated from the famous British Drama League in 1962 when she was in her 50's and a single parent.
She did odd jobs like that of Tailor, small roles in movies and theater in England. She also worked as a Dresser at the National Association of Theatre and Kinematic Employee (NATKE) which was very challenging for her as she came from a very privileged upbringing.
From here on she started making progress one after another and bagging important roles in English movies and series like The Guru, Jewel in the Crown, Mind your Language, Tandoori Nights, Masala, Bhaji on the Beach, Bend it like Beckham and so on She also worked later on in many famous Bollywood wood movies post 90's like Dil se, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Dillagi, Veer Zara, Cheeni Cum and so on.
She had an absolutely eventful life, danced, travelled around the world, did theater, did feature films, did movies in India and abroad, did series and even headed dance schools and academies during this time. She was a die hard cricket fan and loved her food and whiskey 🥃.
After partition her siblings and cousins settled in Pakistan and she often visited them. She was sad to see the conservative ideology of the society they lived in because she came from a very Liberal Muslim family and decided to stay back in India after her husband's death.
She danced with famous people and learnt her skills from famous people like Prithviraj Kapoor and Uday Shankar. She saw success in a very later period of her life post her 70's but she was a rebel and stuck to what she believed in and was extremely patient and courageous.
I absolutely loved and enjoyed reading this great person's journey.
Thank you,❤️🙏🌹
GENRE - BIOGRAPHY
PAGES - 258
WHAT A LIFE!! is the one thought that comes to my mind after reading this book. My first impression of actor Zoya Sehgal is when I watched her in the Shahrukh, Manisha Koirala and Priti Zinta starrer Dil se where she played the role of Shahrukh Khan's Grandmother.
To begin with she came from an aristocratic muslim family from Rampur United Province her ancestors had fought the British in the 1857 uprising. Dancing was never accepted in her culture and even her school was at Lahore where strict "purdah" was observed. Her maternal uncle Memphis who lived in Edinburgh introduced her to acting and he arranged for her to apprentice under a British Actor.
Later she joined the Mary Wingman Ballet School in Dresden Germany upon encouragement by her Aunt, her father was also supportive of her decision although since she came from a Muslim family it wasn't easy during that period.
After completing her study and becoming the first Indian to Graduate from the Dance School in 1935 she joined the Uday Shankar dance troupe until 1942.
She met her husband Kameshwar Sehgal during this period and married him later by going against her father although her uncle Memphis was very supportive of her decision. It wasn't easy at that time for Muslim to marry a Hindu then.
She joined Prithvi Theatre in 1945 and continued to be a part of it until her husband death by suicide in the year 1959
SHE WAS PART OF THE MOVIE "NEECHA NAGAR" WHICH WON THE TOP PRIZE IN CANNES FILM FESTIVAL IN 1946
After her husband's untimely death she left Bombay and shifted to London where she decided to complete her studies in Acting. She graduated from the famous British Drama League in 1962 when she was in her 50's and a single parent.
She did odd jobs like that of Tailor, small roles in movies and theater in England. She also worked as a Dresser at the National Association of Theatre and Kinematic Employee (NATKE) which was very challenging for her as she came from a very privileged upbringing.
From here on she started making progress one after another and bagging important roles in English movies and series like The Guru, Jewel in the Crown, Mind your Language, Tandoori Nights, Masala, Bhaji on the Beach, Bend it like Beckham and so on She also worked later on in many famous Bollywood wood movies post 90's like Dil se, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Dillagi, Veer Zara, Cheeni Cum and so on.
She had an absolutely eventful life, danced, travelled around the world, did theater, did feature films, did movies in India and abroad, did series and even headed dance schools and academies during this time. She was a die hard cricket fan and loved her food and whiskey 🥃.
After partition her siblings and cousins settled in Pakistan and she often visited them. She was sad to see the conservative ideology of the society they lived in because she came from a very Liberal Muslim family and decided to stay back in India after her husband's death.
She danced with famous people and learnt her skills from famous people like Prithviraj Kapoor and Uday Shankar. She saw success in a very later period of her life post her 70's but she was a rebel and stuck to what she believed in and was extremely patient and courageous.
I absolutely loved and enjoyed reading this great person's journey.
Thank you,❤️🙏🌹
August 3, 2021
What a life
Could not put the book down ,beautifully written.Even though Zohra had a very interesting life writer made it more interesting by writing about the famous dignitaries Zohra was involved with
Could not put the book down ,beautifully written.Even though Zohra had a very interesting life writer made it more interesting by writing about the famous dignitaries Zohra was involved with
June 30, 2022
Was so happy to read this one!
Its about maestro Zohra Sehgal, who lived a wholesome life of 102 years, & built a successful career in Theatre, TV, Films & Dance!
She inspired me in so many ways: born in Muslim noble fam, she decided to defy norms & carve a niche in Arts.
INSPIRING. INSPIRING. INSPIRING.
Its about maestro Zohra Sehgal, who lived a wholesome life of 102 years, & built a successful career in Theatre, TV, Films & Dance!
She inspired me in so many ways: born in Muslim noble fam, she decided to defy norms & carve a niche in Arts.
INSPIRING. INSPIRING. INSPIRING.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews