Sunday, June 5, 2011

Balgandharva


Since 2010, Marathi cinema is on a different high altogether! After movies like ‘Natarang’ and ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’, Marathi cinema has crossed another milestone with Balgandharva.
Balgandharva- a film by Ravindra Jadhav. The film, as the title suggests, is the biography of the great theater legend Narayan Shripad Rajhans- ‘Balgandharva’. Balgandharva was the lead actor of Marathi plays at a time when women were allowed neither on stage nor in the audience. He brought to life some of the most important female characters of Indian literature like Shakuntala and Draupadi.
Along with depicting the ups and downs of Gandharva’s life, which is by itself a Herculean task, the film perfectly represents the social scenario of the late 19th and early 20th century. The art, the people, Indian independence, all the themes have been skillfully weaved into the fabric of the film.
The casting for the film is perfect! Subodh Bhave has surpassed all the expectations of the audience and has been able to maintain the difficult balance between manly gait and womanly grace. The secondary actors are equally good in whatever roles they do; although Abhijeet Kelkar and Kishor Kadam call for a special mention. While Kelkar always had the potential, director Rabindra Jadhav has harnessed it to the fullest. The audience might find Vibhavari Deshpande a little repetitive after similar roles in Natarang and Harishchandrachi Factory.
It is a challenge to give music to such a film where classical music is in the foreground rather than being just filler. Although the music is flows well with the film, there is nothing that lingers on your mind for too long; except for the voice of Gandharva. It really makes you feel that this must be the voice that got Gandharva his title.
The film is rich in its appearance, just like Gandharva’s plays. Camera work is just outstanding, with beautiful angles and just the right amount of close ups n lovely broad shots. Makeup artists deserve a pat on the back for Bhave’s different avatars from a young 20-something to his old age and from a beautiful woman to a simple man.
All in all, the movie is “nayanramya”, “karnapriya”, and thought provoking. It is not merely a film but an experience that is just not to be missed. If you still haven’t, bookyourshow now!!

4 comments:

  1. good article niralee.....didnt know u watched marathi movies too......i am yet to see 'balgandharva' :(

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  2. thank u manas!! i m big fan of marathi cinema!! i think they r extremely sensible and of their times :) please watch balgandharva before it is out of theaters and also Taryanche Bet if u havent seen it.

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  3. Once more excellent description of a movie by Niraleeeeeeeeeeee and have to watch it now after reading this short summary...........good work

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  4. i just read it.. took an off today from work and gave time to things that were pending since forever!

    excellent job Nir.. as usual! i really makes me want to watch it now.. !

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