Cuckoo Moray

Cuckoo Moray, also credited as Cuckoo or Cukoo (1928 – 30 September 1981), was an Anglo-Indian dancer and actress in Indian cinema. She is widely regarded as the first dance star of Hindi cinema and a pioneering figure in Bollywood's dance number culture. Active during the 1940s and 1950s, she was known as the "rubber girl" because of her tremendous flexibility and dancing ability, and commanded high fees for her performances. She was also the mentor of cabaret dancer Helen and helped pave her way into Bollywood.

Early career Born during the late British Raj, Cuckoo made her screen debut in the film Arab Ka Sitara in 1946. Soon after in Stum Chandi, directors and greater audiences noticed her dancing abilities for the first time. Then, the turning point in Cuckoo's career was in Mehboob Khan's films. Her dance number in his film Anokhi Ada (1948) established her as the lead dancer of the era and in Andaz (1949), a romantic drama starring Nargis, Dilip Kumar, and Raj Kapoor, gave the dancing star an opportunity to display her acting skills. In Mehboob Khan's 1952 technicolor film Aan, which was her first colour film, she had a brief cameo in a dance sequence. She only appeared in 2 colour films in her career Aan & Mayurpankh. She would charge Rs 6,000 for a dance number, an enviable fee in the 50s.

Later life Cuckoo remained the top dancer in Hindi films until dancers such as Helen and Vyjayanthimala came into the industry. Cuckoo was a family friend of the Anglo-Burmese dancer and actress Helen. She was also known for helping unknown actors get their break in Bollywood, such as Pran in Ziddi. Cuckoo had introduced a 13-year-old Helen into films as a chorus dancer in films such as Shabistan and Awaara (both 1951). Cuckoo and Helen most notably appeared in song and dance sequences together, such as in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Yahudi (1958). Her last film appearance was in Mujhe Jeene Do in 1963 after which, she had disappeared from the film industry.

Cuckoo was fond of luxury and reportedly had three luxury cars, one was used by her, the other meant for her pet dog and the last one by Helen. She owned several apartments and a lot of jewelry but is said to have lost them for violating income tax rules. Because of this, she had no money left. As her fortunes dwindled, she battled terminal cancer, dying at the age of 52. Cuckoo died on 30 September 1981 due to cancer

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1944MujrimDancerDebut film and role 1946 Arab Ka Sitara Dancer Hum Ek Hain Dancer 1947 Aage Badho Dancer Do Bhai Dancer Mirza Saheban Dancer 1948 Anokhi Ada Stage dancer Chandralekha Dancer Ghar Ki Izzat Dancer Mela Dancer Vidya Dancer 1949 Andaz Sheila Barsaat Ruby Bazaar Dancer Dulari Dancer Ek Thi Larki Dancer Namoona Dancer Paras Dancer Patanga Dancer Shair Flora alias Mohini Singaar Dancer 1950 Arzoo Dancer Bebas Dancer Dilruba Lachchhi Hanste Aansoo Dancer Magroor Dancer Nirala Dancer Pardes Dancer Sargam Dancer 1951 Afsana Dancer Awāra Bar Singer-Dancer Bade Bhaiya Dancer Hulchul Dancer Sanam Dancer Tarana Dancer 1952 Aan Dancer Only colour film Anand Math Dancer Baiju Bawra Dancer Nau Bahar Dancer Sangdil Dancer 1953 Alif Laila Dancer Footpath Dancer Jhamela Dancer Laila Majnu Dancer Rail Ka Dibba Dancer Shole Dancer 1954 Alibaba Aur 40 Chor Dancer Amar Dancer Nastik Dancer Shart Dancer 1955 Azaad Dancer Devdas Dancer Marine Drive Dancer Mr. and Mrs. 55 Singer Uran Khatola Dancer 1956 Basant Bahar Dancer C.I.D. Dancer Funtoosh Dancer Raj Hath Dancer 1957 Naya Daur Dancer Pyaasa Dancer Tumsa Nahin Dekha Dancer 1958 Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi Dancer Howrah Bridge Dancer Phagun Dancer Yahudi Singer-Dancer 1959 Bus Conductor Dancer Dil Deke Dekho Dancer Raja Malaya Simha Dancer Sujata Rama's friend, Singer 1960 Kala Bazar Dancer Singapore Dancer 1961 Jhumroo Dancer Passport Dancer 1962 Girls' Hostel Dancer 1963 Mujhe Jeene Do Dancer Final film