Born: 1916 (Calcutta, India)
Died: 2006
Esther Victoria Abraham, known by her stage name Pramila, was an Indian model, actress, and the first woman film producer in the Hindi film industry. She achieved recognition not only for her contributions to the film industry but also for winning the first Miss India pageant in 1947. Born on December 30, 1916, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Pramila hailed from a Baghdadi Jewish family.
Her father, Reuben Abraham, was a Jewish businessman from Kolkata, while her mother, Matilda Isaac, came from Karachi. Pramila had three older half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage to Leah and six or five siblings from her parents’ marriage. Despite being born into a Jewish family, Pramila converted to Islam in order to marry her second husband, Syed Hasan Ali Zaidi, also known as Kumar, a practicing Shia Muslim and a small-time actor.
Pramila’s personal life was marked by two marriages. At the age of seventeen, she married Maniklal Dangi, a Hindu Marwadi gentleman, which resulted in the birth of their son. However, the marriage was short-lived and soon ended. In 1939, at the age of 22, Pramila married Kumar, her second husband. Together, they had four children. Unfortunately, in 1963, after the release of the film Mughal-e-Azam, Kumar decided to leave Pramila and their children behind and relocate to Pakistan.
Despite the challenges she faced in her personal life, Pramila continued to pursue her career in the entertainment industry. Her journey began as a dancer for a Parsi theatre company, where she performed during the reel projector’s 15-minute changeover breaks. Pramila soon transitioned into acting, showcasing her talent and fearlessness as a stunt star in 30 films, including Ulti Ganga, Bijli, Basant, and Jungle King.
However, Pramila’s contributions extended beyond acting. She became a trailblazer in the Indian film industry by becoming the first major woman film producer. Under her banner, Silver Productions, she produced 16 films. Her achievements paved the way for other women in the industry, breaking barriers and challenging traditional gender roles.
In addition to her groundbreaking work in the film industry, Pramila gained acclaim by winning the first Miss India pageant in 1947, when she was 31 years old. This victory not only displayed her beauty but also made her a symbol of Indian womanhood and empowerment.
Pramila’s legacy continued within her own family as well. Her daughter, Naqi Jahan, followed in her footsteps and was crowned Eve’s Weekly Miss India in 1967, making them the only mother-daughter pair to have won the Miss India title. Naqi Jehan also represented India at the Queen of the Pacific Quest beauty pageant in Australia.
Esther Victoria Abraham, fondly known as Pramila, passed away on August 6, 2006, at the age of nearly 90. Her contributions to the entertainment industry, as an actress, producer, and a symbol of female empowerment, remain an inspirational part of women’s history in India.
Awards:
– Miss India, 1947