Chandidas (film) explained

Chandidas
Director:Nitin Bose
Producer:New Theatres
Music:R. C. Boral
Cinematography:Nitin Bose
Studio:New Theatres
Runtime:128 min
Country:India
Language:Hindi

Chandidas is a 1934 Hindi social drama film directed by Nitin Bose. The film was produced by New Theatres Calcutta and was their first big success.[1] It was remake of the 1932 Bengali film of the same name directed by Debaki Bose.[2] This 1934 Hindi version starred K. L. Saigal, Uma Sashi, Pahari Sanyal, Nawab and H. Siddiqui.[3] The music direction was by R. C. Boral with the lyrics written by Agha Hashar Kashmiri.[4] The credit roll of the film states that the film is "Based on the life problems of the poet Chandidas –A problem India has not been able to solve", which involved the caste schism in India. The story revolves around the 15th century poet-saint Chandidas who acts out against the deep-rooted bigotry against caste, untouchoubility and the hypocrisy of society, and a washer woman with whom he falls in love.[5]

Plot

Chandidas (K. L. Saigal), a lover of truth and humanity is the disciple of Acharya (M. Ansari), a priest in the temple. Baiju (Pahari Sanyal), a washer-man lives with his wife and sister Rami (Uma Sashi) in the village where the Zamindar (landowner) Gopinath (Nawab) though outwardly religious and respecting the Brahmins is an evil man. Gopinath has a henchman Sarju (H. Siddiqui) who carries out his dirty work. Rami sweeps the compound of the temple where Chandidas sees her while he carries on his duties in the temple. They fall in love which causes resentment in Gopichand who has been eyeing Rami, but when she spurns his advances he has her kidnapped. His wife comes to the rescue of Rami and helps her escape. The Zamindar goons go after her and assault her. Gopichand convinces the priest that Chandidas should be punished and made to repent for associating with a lower caste woman. Chandidas agrees to this but then sees Rami’s injuries and realises the duplicity of the so-called pious men. He renounces his life in the village and leaves it accompanied by Baiju, his wife and Rami.

Cast

Music

The music was by R. C. Boral and lyrics by Agha Hashar Kahmiri with the songs sung by K. L. Saigal, Pahari Sanyal and Uma Shashi. The use of a "full-fledged orchestra" was attempted successfully for the first time for this film. The memorable song sung by K. L. Saigal and Uma Shashi, "Prem Nagar Mein Banaoongi Ghar Main" became extremely popular and "won K. L. Saigal nationwide fame".

Songs

Title Singer Min
1"Tadpat Beete Din Rain" K. L. Saigal2.28
2"Prem Nagar Mein Banaooingi Ghar Main"Saigal, Uma Sashi 2.25
3"Prem Ki Ho Jai Jai" Saigal, Pahadi Sanyal, Uma Shashi3.07
4"Prem Ka Pujaari" K. L. Saigal2.39
5"Basant Ritu Aayi Aali"Uma Sashi3.17

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chandra, Balakrishnan. Pali, Vijay Kumar. 100 Years Of Bollywood - Chandidas 1934. indiavideo.org. Invis Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. 23 Aug 2014.
  2. Book: Patel, Sampath. Bhaichand, Vikram. Bollywood's Top 20: Superstars of Indian Cinema – K. L. Saigal. 2012. Penguin Books India. India. 9780670085729. 6.
  3. Web site: Chandidas 1934. citwf.com. Alan Goble. 23 Aug 2014.
  4. Web site: Chandidas 1934. lyricsbogie.com. Latest Hindi Song Lyrics. 23 Aug 2014.
  5. News: Ramakrishnan. Nivedita. Messages in black and white. 23 Aug 2014. The Hindu. The Hindu. 18 July 2012.