Mumbai, April 28: Bhanu Athaiya, Indian costume designer, who is also the first Indian to win an academy award or Oscar award as it is known more popularly, celebrates her 89th birthday today. She has worked in more than 100 films and holds the distinct honor of having worked with stalwarts like Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, Raj Kapoor and even Ashutosh Gowariker- a director from the present times.

Bhanu made her debut as a designer in films with the evergreen Hindi film C.I.D in the year 1956. The Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman starrer remains a cult classic even for this generation and for many to come. She then worked with director Guru Dutt in classics like Pyaasa, Chaudvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam and left her indelible mark on these unforgettable films.

Bhanu Athaiya has won many awards and accolades for her work which includes an Oscar, National Awards and other prestigious honors for her work. Here is the video of Bhanu winning the academy award for the Richard Attenborough directed film Gandhi.

Besides being an ace costume designer, Bhanu has also written a book titled "The Art of Costume Design" which was published by Harper Collins. Athaiya, who was born in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district, was born to a painter named Annasaheb Rajopadhye and she was named Bhanumati Annasaheb Rajopadhye in her childhood. She enrolled at the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai and passed with top honors in the fine arts course. Bhanu Athaiya never looked back after she started her journey as a designer in the film C.I.D. She is an inspiration for all artists in the country and especially for those involved in the field of costume designing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 28, 2018 12:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).