Bhanu Athaiya

An award-winning visionary artist, a pioneer in Indian Fashion and a cultural icon, Bhanu Athiaya is a real life role model for women anywhere in the world. In this pic, she's seen at the 55th Annual Academy awards 1983 in Los Angeles.

Beyond just being India's first Oscar winner, she is also currently the only Indian woman to win that coveted award. Here, Ashutosh Gowariker and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan share the stage with Bhanu Athaiya at Filmfare 2009.

Bhanu has worked for the best directors and actors in showbiz like Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Ramanand Sagar, Ashutosh Gowariker, Waheeda Rahman, Meena Kumari, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Subhash Ghai, Lekh Tandon, Vyjayanthimala, Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Kumar Shahani, Hema Malini, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Tabu, Rishi Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure, Kamini Kaushal, BR Chopra, Conrad Rooks, Rex Harrison, Zeenat Aman, Smita Patil, Ben Kingsley, Dev Anand, Asha Parekh, Helen, Dilp Kumar, Saira Banu, Sadhna, Sharmila Tagore, among others. Here, Bhanu Athaiya is seen with Sir Ben Kingsley in 2009.

Bhanu with her well wisher and friend Priya Dutt. Bhanu's is known to be contemporary, modern, forward-thinking, updated, informed and well-travelled.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meets India's first Oscar winner for Gandhi - Bhanu Athaiya.

Bhanu with Prithviraj Chavan during her book launch in New Delhi in February 2010.

Athaiya with Sir Ben Kingsley and his wife Daniella in Mumbai in December 2009.

Susan Oka and Kristine Krueger of the Oscar Library while receiving Bhanu's book in 2011.

Bhanu with Ben and Daniella Kingsley in Mumbai.

Bhanu Athaiya (R) with Kumar Shahani and Prithviraj Chavan during her book launch in New Delhi.

Bhanu with Waheeda Rahman and Sunil Dutt on the sets of 'Reshma Aur Shera'.

Bhanu Athaiya, the only Indian and the only Indian woman, with the award winning team of Gandhi at the Oscars, 1983.

Athaiya on the sets of 'Gandhi' - 1981.

Prithviraj Chavan at Bhanu Athaiya's book launch in New Delhi.

Prithviraj Chavan appreciates Bhanu Athaiya at her book launch in New Delhi.

Bhanu with Ebrahim Alkazi in this September 2010 photo.

A costume from 'Guide' by Bhanu Athaiya.