In this weekly column, we revisit the gems of Hindi cinema’s golden years. This week, we have a look once more at Vijay Bhatt’s 1952 movie Baiju Bawra.
The legend of Baiju Bawra describes him as a singer who might soften stones along with his voice, his artwork was so divine that lamps lit up as he sang. The well-known Tansen of Emperor Akbar’s courtroom, usually considered the best singer of that period, as soon as misplaced a contest to Baiju, or so the legend suggests. But what’s the true story of this legend?
At the opening of the 1952 movie Baiju Bawra, we learn the textual content, “Around the popular figure many such legends gather together which obscures history, if any… and what is history but agreed upon legend? ” With this lesson, we step into the world of Baiju Bawra. The well-known singer’s historic legacy has by no means been verified, however the movie buys into the singer’s fantasy and introduces us to his mysterious life.
Baiju Bawra dates again to the sixteenth century when Tansen’s fame was identified all through the world, even amongst those that had by no means heard of him. He was named as one of many highest commonplace in music. And in Akbar’s capital, nobody aside from Tansen was allowed to sing. If one wished to sing, he needed to first show that he was higher than the emperor’s favourite ‘Navratna’. Death awaited those that failed. When Baiju’s father is killed by the town’s guards for singing, Baiju (performed by Bharat Bhushan) vows to avenge the loss of life. Thus, their journey begins.
At its core, Baiju Bawra is a love story starring Bharat Bhushan and Meena Kumari.
At its core, Baiju Bawra is a love story. Baiju isolates himself from the world when he falls in love with Gauri (performed by a mesmerizing Meena Kumari). As he practices his music below the moonlit sky, Gauri, his muse, sits beside him and turns into mesmerized by his voice night time and night time. It is their music that binds them collectively, and ultimately turns into the rationale that pulls them aside.
When Baiju decides to take his revenge on Tansen, he descends into the palace with a sword in hand and waits for the suitable time. Soon, he finds himself influenced by Tansen’s music. The singer disarms him actually and figuratively, and thus begins Baiju’s musical studying journey the way in which his late father had wished him to. As Baiju devotes himself to his artwork, we see his love for Gauri attain a divine stage. Baiju’s mentor Haridas doesn’t train him immediately, as he doesn’t imagine in weaponizing the purest artwork type that exists, however as an alternative encourages Baiju to give up himself to music.
Surendra performs the position of Tansen in Baiju Bawra. (Photo: Express Archives)
In an important scene within the movie, Baiju realizes that he can not grasp his music until he dedicates himself to his love. But this realization involves him when Gauri gave her life. In the sooner scene, Baiju condemns Gauri, calling her a distracter. He thinks that so long as he’s round, he won’t ever be capable to defeat Tansen. He fully denies her presence in his life and pushes her away. The scene in direction of Gauri, a girl who runs in opposition to social norms to be with Baiju, appears insulting. His love appears dishonest as he sees Gauri as his energy solely after his mentor’s suggestion. But the impact of Gauri’s alleged loss of life turns Baiju right into a bawra.
When he involves Akbar’s courtroom to confront Tansen, Baiju is singing in order that he might be with Gauri. And it’s this musical duel that offers Baiju Bawra astonishing success. It is claimed that individuals lined up outdoors the theater to observe two musical skills be a part of one jugalbandi And watch the magic of a dice of marble melting into water because of their singing.
Baiju Bawra is a musical interval remembered for exemplary music by Naushad. Since the story of the movie relies on Baiju’s musical journey, each music right here relies on a raga. It is claimed that the makers thought of it a giant danger as they weren’t certain how the viewers would react to classical music, however to their shock, Baiju Bawra was an enormous hit. It crossed 100 weeks primarily due to its music. While a big a part of its viewers is probably not a fan of classical music, Baiju Bawra’s music bridged that hole and created a connection that impressed the viewers on an unconscious stage.
“O Duniya Ke Rakhwale”, “Mohe Bhool Gaye Saawariya”, “Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj” and naturally, the love ballad “Tu Ganga Ki Mauj” are among the classical songs which might be as memorable right this moment as they’re right this moment. are additionally. had been composed. With lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni and vocals by Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and Ustad Aamir Khan, the movie’s album is a timeless basic like Indian classical music.
Meena Kumari, who later turned identified for her tragic roles, is a grasp at her craft in Baiju Bawra and although it was one in all her earliest works, her command on expressions and motion is so delicate and exact that it’s unattainable to To look away as she strikes to the display. Director Vijay Bhatt, who dared to inform a narrative that appeared off-beat in 1952, took a daring danger and it created a musical masterpiece that left the viewers spellbound.
Watching in 2021, the closest comparability to the movie’s core is the musical therapy in Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Discipline or the dedication proven by the protagonist within the internet collection Bandish Bandits, however each of them are additionally distant cousins of Baiju Bawra. . There are rumors of Sanjay Leela Bhansali remaking this 1952 basic, however the director is but to announce his concrete plans. A number of years again, director Vijay Bhatt’s grandson, filmmaker Vikram Bhatt even mentioned that if there’s anybody who can remake the basic, it was Bhansali.
Baiju Bawra is a movie that connects classical music to the soul of the listener and seems like a divine expertise that’s nothing lower than a prayer.
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Baiju Bawra Shemaroomi is streaming on MXPlayer.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
