In this weekly column, we revisit the gems of Hindi cinema’s golden years. This week, we have a look once more at Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, which launched in 1955.
Song and dance routines have been an important factor of Hindi movies for the reason that early days, however watching movies within the Fifties and early Sixties reveals that track and dance don’t play only a supporting function. In reality, it provides the movie a recognition and in the end its success. And though the industrial type of music and dance has at all times had takers, audiences of the Fifties have been extra inclined to simply accept the classical type. What 1952 movie Baiju Bawra Did it for classical music, the 1955 movie Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje did it for Kathak, and it’s a supernatural expertise to revisit this V Shantaram basic.
Starring Sandhya and Gopi Krishna, V Shantaram’s movie is without doubt one of the first few movies to be shot in Technicolor and one can see how the units and costumes would have supplied an incredible sensory expertise to the viewers, which at the moment solely have been used. To see the black and white view.
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje facilities across the love story of Neela (Sandhya) and Giridhar (Gopi Krishna), who’re each studying dance below the identical guru, Mangal Maharaj (Keshvarao Tithi). Their lives are devoted to their artwork, however once they fall in love, it’s thought-about a sin towards their sacred artwork type as they’ve now compromised their dedication. The story of the movie revolves round Neela’s guilt that she is in love with Girdhar, who’s destined to be an excellent dancer, and Girdhar, who cannot actually make up his thoughts about her.
Jhanak Jhanak Payal assessments the talk of baje artwork in its purest type when it’s simplified for industrial functions. At the start of the movie, when Neela is advised that the follow she practices day and night time is nothing extra. “bazaari naach”, she’s coronary heart damaged. When she questions her trainer, he provides her a reasoned excuse, “I was asked to prepare a circle as well as teach you in six months. What else should I have done?” At this level, the movie makes it clear that artwork on this universe is to not be bought for cash, however to be practiced for honour, dignity. Yet, because the movie progresses, you study that Mangal Maharaj , who condemn industrial dance, prepares Girdhar for an additional dance competitors, which he deems worthy. His artwork additionally seeks recognition, however from a crowd he regards as his friends.
Through varied dance and music montages, you see how onerous Neela and Girdhar have labored to develop into one of the best dancers as Mangal makes it clear that greatness can solely be achieved by sacrifice. Both fall in love, however it’s forbidden on this world. It is attention-grabbing to observe it in 2021, attention-grabbing to see a scene the place a personality means that Neela and Girdhar is perhaps in love as they’re spending an excessive amount of time collectively. At this Mars backs away and says, “The man in us” Gharana Don’t consider marriage till they’ve achieved the best rank in dance, after which when they’re married, it is just in order that they will proceed down the household line. Not for love.” This specific dialogue sticks with you because it speaks volumes in regards to the notion of affection on this society. For a personality like Mars who’s into the inventive arts and understands the nuances of feelings greater than a median individual Romantic love is a sin, however loving their artwork type is the best blessing.
Sandhya within the poster of V Shantaram’s Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje.
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje is stuffed with dance sequences that depart your mouth shocked, all choreographed by Gopi Krishna. As his Girdhar jumps from nook to nook of the display, you’re stunned by his delicate dance model. His actions, his exemplary expressions and his consideration to element make it inconceivable so that you can look anyplace else. And Sandhya’s Neela joins them. Gopi Krishna was a widely known dancer on the time, who finally grew to become a well-liked choreographer in Bollywood, however Sandhya was a novice to bounce at the moment. As far as his appearing is anxious, it appears to be like like a stage play at occasions which makes this synthetic world much more synthetic.
As Neela and Girdhar make their method into one another’s hearts, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje’s conflict ensues, and so does the sexism. The movie’s battle is solely blamed on Neela because the movie cleverly makes her make Maneka the Vishwamitra of Girdhar (there’s even a dance sequence the place she performs Maneka). Mangal accuses Neela of destroying Girdhar’s consideration. Neela blames herself and tries to commit suicide. At this level, the movie portrays Neela as a person who’s solely chargeable for inflicting havoc within the lives of Mangal and Girdhar. To free herself from guilt, she pretends to by no means love her dance accomplice, who upsets her, and he insults her with harsh phrases. At one level, he even tries to hit her head with an enormous rock, however Mangal stops her in order that she would not find yourself in jail. By this time in Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje, you must marvel if Girdhar ever fell in love with Neela as he is able to depart her on the drop of a hat.
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje delivers on its promise to create a surprising visible masterpiece whereas presenting one breathtaking dance efficiency after one other, after which way more. The climax has a foolish match-fixing angle that may solely be forgiven as a result of director V Shantaram delivers a dance quantity that deserves a finale. Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has usually credited V Shantaram as certainly one of his inspirations and after watching Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje, one can see the germ of Bhansali’s huge concepts.
Shantaram could not make a dance movie with out some classical music, and composer Vasant Desai labored on that entrance with lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri. If you’ve got ever attended newbie Kathak courses, you already know that songs like “Murli Manohar”, “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje” are nonetheless in vogue. “Jo Tum Todo Piya”, “Kaisi Ye Mohabbat” are another well-liked songs from the album.
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje is a basic within the sense that it represents a sure period of Indian filmmaking. Though it has not aged so nicely by way of its appearing and storytelling, the movie nonetheless impresses with its dance numbers that are definitely timeless.
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Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje is streaming on ZEE5 and YouTube.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
