Durga Mota

Actor

Active: 1941

About Durga Mota

Durga Mota was an Indian film actor who appeared during the early era of Indian cinema's talkie period. Their only known film credit is the 1941 production 'Khazanchi,' which was a significant musical film of its time directed by Moti B. Gidwani. The actor appeared in a supporting role during a period when Indian cinema was transitioning from silent films to sound, with the film industry centered primarily in Bombay and Calcutta. 'Khazanchi' was notable for its music by Ghulam Haider and became quite popular, establishing new trends in film music. Unfortunately, very little documented information survives about Durga Mota's life, career, or other potential film appearances, suggesting they may have been a character actor who had a brief career in the industry. The lack of extensive records about this actor is not uncommon for many supporting performers from this early period of Indian cinema, where documentation was often limited and many actors' contributions went unrecorded in film history.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in the 1941 film 'Khazanchi'

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

  • Role in 'Khazanchi' (1941)

Must-See Films

  • Khazanchi (1941)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Moti B. Gidwani (director of Khazanchi)
  • Ghulam Haider (music composer of Khazanchi)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

As a minor actor in early Indian cinema, Durga Mota's cultural impact was limited to their contribution to 'Khazanchi,' a film that was significant in the development of Indian film music. The film itself helped establish new musical trends in Indian cinema, though individual contributions of supporting actors like Durga Mota were often overshadowed by the leads and technical innovations of the time. Their participation represents the collective effort of many unsung artists who contributed to the foundation of Indian cinema during its formative years.

Lasting Legacy

Durga Mota's legacy is preserved primarily through their appearance in 'Khazanchi' (1941), a film that remains historically significant in Indian cinema history. While they may not be widely remembered today, their contribution represents the many character actors and supporting performers who were essential to the early Indian film industry's development. The film itself has achieved classic status, ensuring that Durga Mota's name, however obscure, remains part of Indian cinema's historical record.

Who They Inspired

Due to the limited documentation of their career and the brief nature of their known film appearances, there is no recorded evidence of Durga Mota's direct influence on other actors or filmmakers. Their contribution exists primarily as part of the ensemble that helped create early Indian cinematic works during a crucial transitional period in the industry's development.

Off Screen

Very little information is available about Durga Mota's personal life, which is typical for many supporting actors from early Indian cinema whose lives were not extensively documented in historical records.

Did You Know?

  • Only known film appearance was in 'Khazanchi' (1941)
  • Appeared during the early talkie era of Indian cinema
  • The film 'Khazanchi' was a musical that helped establish new trends in Indian film music
  • Worked during a period when Indian cinema was centered in Bombay and Calcutta
  • Like many supporting actors of the era, their contribution was not extensively documented
  • The film's music composer Ghulam Haider later became influential in Bollywood
  • 1941 was during World War II, which affected film production in India

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Durga Mota?

Durga Mota was an Indian film actor from the early talkie era, known only for their appearance in the 1941 film 'Khazanchi.' Very little documentation survives about this actor, suggesting they were likely a supporting or character actor with a brief career in early Indian cinema.

What films is Durga Mota best known for?

Durga Mota is known only for their single film appearance in 'Khazanchi' (1941), a significant musical film of early Indian cinema directed by Moti B. Gidwani with music by Ghulam Haider.

When was Durga Mota born and when did they die?

The birth and death dates of Durga Mota are not documented in available historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from early Indian cinema whose personal details were not preserved in film archives.

What awards did Durga Mota win?

There are no recorded awards or nominations for Durga Mota, which is typical for many character actors from the early 1940s Indian film industry when formal award systems were not yet established.

What was Durga Mota's acting style?

Due to the limited documentation of their career and the fact that only one film appearance is known, there is no detailed information available about Durga Mota's specific acting style or techniques.

What was the significance of 'Khazanchi' (1941)?

'Khazanchi' was a significant musical film in early Indian cinema that helped establish new trends in film music, featuring compositions by Ghulam Haider that influenced the direction of Bollywood music in subsequent years.

Films

1 film