India’s first Oscar

Nothing in life comes easy. Very few have the talent, passion and determination to work against the odds and create history.

At the time when the Indian fashion industry was just unfolding and lacked any exposure, one woman took it upon herself to not only give the industry some of the finest work it had ever seen but also made sure that her country got global recognition. She was the first Indian to win an Oscar. The woman in context is none other than Bhanu Athaiya, a name I’m not sure many people are familiar with. She received the Academy Award for Best Costume design for her work in the 1982 film- Gandhi and was the first and till date the last Indian female to receive this honour. She has worked in over a 100 films with noted film makers such as Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra and Raj Kapoor. She was known for her detailed designs that brought in life to the characters who wore them. In a male dominated industry, she stood firm and made her mark. However, while the whole world was singing her praises, her own country chose to ignore her. At the time of her win, she didn’t get as much recognition and appreciation as she deserved. In an interview she said, “That’s their fault not mine. I did my job and in an ideal world, I would have been decorated with a Padma award at least. I’m not bitter about it anymore and I somehow have the feeling that I had something more to give to the world than the other way round.”

She recently returned her Oscar to the academy because she felt it wasn’t safe here and that there were no measures nor individuals to take care of things.

I sometimes wish she could get a do-over because this time around. Im sure she would get the name and fame she deserved since the fashion scene in the country has now increased manifolds. Nevertheless, I just hope that through this article people that didn’t know who she was earlier, now certainly do.