India's first Oscar winner Bhanu Athaiya passes away

Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, who won the first Academy Award for India, passed away in Mumbai on Thursday.

The 91-year-old Athaiya, a resident of Malabar Hill, was suffering from a brain tumour and age-related issues.

Her last rites were performed at the Chandanwadi Crematorium. “She died peacefully in her sleep,” her daughter Radhika Gupta said.

The epitome of her career spanning nearly six decades was Sir Richard Attenborough’s 1983 film 'Gandhi' in which she dressed Ben Kingsley to essay the role of the Father of the Nation. The film went on to win 8 Oscars from 11 nominations at the 55th Academy Awards including for best costume design – which was bagged jointly by Bhanu Athaiya and her British collaborator John Mollo.

She also dressed Mammootty to essay the role of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution and the messiah of Dalits.

Athaiya designed costumes for a long list of movie stars. The 1965 film 'Guide' was her one of the most regarded films in which Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman created magic thanks to the excellent craftsmanship of Goldie Anand.

Besides, one cannot miss out on 'Mera Naam Joker' of Raj Kapoor – that brought out the emotions and 'Agneepath' in which she dressed Amitabh Bachchan and Danny Denzongpa – which became a fashion statement.

In the film 'Lagaan', she designed costumes for Aamir Khan and his group of villagers who took on the Britishers in a cricket-match. She is known for her work in 'Lekin', a 1991 film starring Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia.

For Lekin and Lagaan, she won National awards.

Born on April 28, 1929, to Annasaheb and Shantabai Rajopadhye, in Kolhapur, she was a cut above the rest. Her full name was Bhanumati Rajopadhye.

With over 100 films in six decades, she has worked with top filmmakers like Guru Dutt, BR Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Vijay Anand, Raj Khosla, Ashutosh Gowariker.

She started off as a freelance fashion illustrator – but she immediately became part of Guru Dutt’s team with 'C.I.D'.

In March 2010, Athaiya released her book The Art of Costume Design, published by Harper Collins.

In February 2012, there were reports that Athaiya wished to return the Oscar trophy to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences because she felt that her family would not be able to take care of the trophy after her demise.