Balgandharva (film)

Balgandharva

Poster
बालगंधर्व
Directed by Ravi Jadhav
Produced by Nitin Chandrakant Desai
Written by Abhiram Bhadkamkar
Starring Subodh Bhave
Vibhavari Deshpande
Prachiti Mhatre
Kishor Kadam
Avinash Narkar
Music by Kaushal Inamdar
Cinematography Mahesh Limaye
Edited by Prashant Khedekar
Distributed by Shringar Films
Release dates
  • 6 May 2011 (2011-05-06)
Running time
 124 minutes
Country India
Language Marathi
Budget ₹ 70,000,000 [1]

Balgandharva is a biographical Marathi film on one of the Marathi singers and stage actors Narayan Shripad Rajhans, famously known as Balgandharva (Bal=child + Gandharva=Singer of Heaven).[2] The name was bestowed to Narayan by Lokmanya Tilak after listening to his public performance in Pune while he was very young.

The film is directed by Ravindra Jadhav,[3] whose debutant film Natarang won critical acclaims as well as good box office report. The film is produced by Nitin Chandrakant Desai, the National Award winning Art Director, under the banner of Iconic Chandrakant Productions Pvt. Ltd.[4][5]

The film was declared "Super Hit" at the box-office.[6]

Plot

Main article: Balgandharva

The film is a biopic on life on Balgandharva showing his struggles through poverty to riches and fame. Narayan Rajhans while in a public performance of his singing at Pune receives his new honour and name "Balgandharva". On advise of Shahu Maharaj, the king of Kolhapur state, he starts his formal training and joins Kirloskar Natak Mandali. Narayan wins claps of his audiences and becomes the key performer of all Sangeet Nataks. To please his insistent mother Narayan marries Laxmi. On the opening day (12 March 1911) of his play Sangeet Manapamaan, his infant daughter dies. But he goes ahead with the performance and enthralls the audience. Due to disputes in the company Narayan decides to start his own company named Gandharva Natak Mandali. Fully devoting himself towards his passion of drama and singing he overlooks his family. Giving audience's satisfaction key priority he starts spending money without any considerations. He loses many of his friends because of such attitude. He blindly believes in Balasaheb Pandit, who keeps his company's accounts. Narayan's carefree nature results in his bankruptcy. Meeting Gohar Bai, who is his fan, he falls in love with her and leaves his wife and family. With his old age, he also loses the charm of holding audiences. When cinema is introduced, theatre fails to grab audiences. Balgandharva also signs contract with V. Shantaram's Prabhat Film Company to act in films. Money in films would also reduce his economic burden. But he never likes the methodologies of film production and abandons it after only one film where he plays the lead role of Sant Eknath. Looking at his poverty many Royalties pay him honorary amounts in order to repay his debts. But he in turn donates this money to other charities.

Cast

Production

The mahurat shot of the film was done at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Pune; the place whose foundation stone was laid by Balgandharva. As the story is based in early 20th century Maharashtra, renowned historian Babasaheb Purandare, famous theatre actress of the yesteryears, Jaimala Shiledar along with her daughter Kirti Shiledar and historian Dr. Jaisingrao Pawar helped in consulting for the production. Multiple National Award winning costume designer Neeta Lulla designed the costumes and jewellery of the characters to recreate the era.

The film premiered in Mumbai on 4 May 2011 and on 5 May in Pune. It then released all over Maharashtra on 6 May.[7]

Awards and recognition

The film was screened at many film festivals around the globe, starting from the New York Indian Film Festival on 8 May 2011.[7] Subsequently it was also screened at the Cannes and Venice festivals.[8]

The film also won maximum number of awards (3) at 59th National Film Awards in 2011.

National Film Awards
Citation: For taking up the challenge of recreating the ethos of a doyen like Bal Gandharva who strode the musical stage like a giant. He recreates the magic of the sonorous voice of Bal Gandharva in a flawless and distinguished manner thus helping preserve a tradition. The original voice of the actor and his voice blend seamlessly.
Citation: For creating a period with appropriate costumes embellished with the right colors and textures. Neeta Lulla of 'Balgandharva' and Niharika Khan in 'The Dirty Picture’ have both done meticulous research into those times, not merely to be authentic but also to appropriately contextualize the respective narratives and their times.
Citation: For bringing to life the primary characters who propel the two films. He has especially worked on the transformations of the two characters as they journey towards their tragic fate. The makeup lends authenticity and highlights their emotional frailties thus raising the film to another temporal level.

Soundtrack

Sound of Heaven: The Story of Balgandharva
Soundtrack album by Kaushal Inamdar
Released 25 April 2011 (2011-04-25)[9]
Recorded 2010-2011
Yash Raj Studio
Genre Natya Sangeet, Feature film soundtrack
Label Saregama

The soundtrack of the film comprises 21 songs of which 16 feature in the film. The soundtrack was released on 25 April 2011 at a ceremony held at Rang Sharada Auditorium, Bandra.

Kaushal Inamdar is the music director of the film. To recreate the magic of Gandharva Music, the team invited Christian Howes, a Jazz Violinist to conduct the strings for "Nahi Me Bolat Natha", a legendary song of Bal Gandharva.[10] The entire strings section was recorded by remote by Kaushal Inamdar from US and Spain. This is the first time the Marathi cinema has used a western artiste. Anand Bhate, also known as "Anand Gandharva", a Hindustani classical vocalist from Kirana Gharana has lent his voice for all songs for the lead character.[11] Swanand Kirkire, the popular Hindi film lyricist known for his songs of Parineeta, 3 Idiots and Lage Raho Munna Bhai has penned lyrics of "Parvardigar", a qawwali and "Aaj Mhare Ghar Pavana", a bhajan.[12]

The music was mixed in Yash Raj Studio and mastered in London. The music is released by Saregama.[9] Following is the list of the tracks.[13][14][15][16][17]

No. TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s) Length
1. "Panchatund Nararundmaladhar dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Shakuntal (1880) (Sangeet Natak))Annasaheb KirloskarAnnasaheb KirloskarAnand Bhate and Chorus 4:56
2. "Pariyeva Ke Payal Sajani dagger" (Classical Bandish)TraditionalTraditionalAarya Ambekar 3:12
3. "Nahi Mi Bolat Natha dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Maanaapamaan (1911) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarGovindrao TembeAnand Bhate, Madhura Kumbhar 4:18
4. "Mhatara Ituka Na dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Sharada (1899) (Sangeet Natak))Govind Ballal DevalGovind Ballal DevalRishikesh Kamerkar, Shrirang Bhave 4:06
5. "Kashi Ya Tyaju Padala dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Ekach Pyala (1919) (Sangeet Natak))Viththal Sitaram GurjarBai SundarabaiAnand Bhate 3:27
6. "Nesali Pitambar Jari dagger" (Lavani)TraditionalBai SundarabaiAsha Khadilkar 4:14
7. "Vad Jau Kunala Sharan dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Saubhadra (1882) (Sangeet Natak))Annasaheb KirloskarBhaskarbuwa BakhaleAnand Bhate 6:35
8. "Ravi Mi dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Maanaapamaan (1911) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarGovindrao TembeRahul Deshpande 3:20
9. "Parvardigar" (First two lines of the song are taken from Sangeet Ekach Pyala (1919) (Sangeet Natak))Swanand KirkireKaushal InamdarShankar Mahadevan, Anand Bhate and Chorus 6:40
10. "Aaj Mhare Ghar Pavana"  Swanand KirkireKaushal InamdarBela Shende 4:48
11. "Chinmaya Sakal Hridaya" (Originally featured in Sangeet Sanshaykallol (1916) (Sangeet Natak))Govind Ballal DevalKaushal InamdarAnand Bhate and Chorus 6:40
12. "Naman Natavara dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Maanaapamaan (1911) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar
Gajanan Digambar Madgulkar		Govindrao Tembe
Kaushal Inamdar		Anand Bhate and Chorus 4:20
13. "Bhav Tochi Dev dagger" (Originally featured in Dharmatma (Film))K. Narayan KaleMaster KrishnaraoAnand Bhate 3:14
14. "Saki Kamda Dindi dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Saubhadra (1882) (Sangeet Natak))Annasaheb KirloskarTraditionalOmkar Dadarkar 1:20
15. "Khara To Prema dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Maanaapamaan (1911) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarGovindrao TembeAnand Bhate 4:25
16. "Nayane Lajaveet dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Maanaapamaan (1911) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarGovindrao TembeAnand Bhate 3:50
17. "Mala Madan Bhase Ha dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Maanaapamaan (1911) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarGovindrao TembeAnand Bhate 4:34
18. "Naath Ha Maajha dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Swayamwar (1916) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarBhaskarbuwa BakhaleVarada Godbole, Anand Bhate 3:06
19. "Dhanarashi Jaata dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Maanaapamaan (1911) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarGovindrao TembeAnand Bhate 3:15
20. "Naravara Krishna Saman dagger" (Originally featured in Sangeet Swayamwar (1916) (Sangeet Natak))Krushnaji Prabhakar KhadilkarBhaskarbuwa BakhaleAnand Bhate 4:01
21. "Aga Vaikunthichya Raya dagger" (Originally featured in Sant Kanhopatra (1931) (Sangeet Natak))KanhopatraMaster KrishnaraoAnand Bhate 4:37
Total length:
 01:28:58

dagger - Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar

References

  1. ↑ "IMDB Box office / business". Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  2. ↑ Shanta Gokhale (26 May 2011). "The real reel". Times of India. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  3. ↑ Prachi Pinglay (1 May 2011). "Bal Gandharva: A tale of feminine mystique". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  4. ↑ Hiten Kotwani (30 Oct 2010). "Nitin Desai to make Bal Gandharva biopic". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  5. ↑ "Featured Project - BalGandharva". Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  6. ↑ Dr. Asha Mandpe (2 Jul 2011). "A memorable rendezvous with the Balgandharva team". Times of India. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  7. 1 2 "‘Balgandharva’ movie — a tribute to the legendary singer-actor". Sakaal. 23 Apr 2011. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  8. ↑ "Bal Gandharva to premiere at Cannes". Indian Express. 21 Mar 2011. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Recreating the magic of the Gandharva music". Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  10. ↑ Garima Mishra (10 Mar 2011). "Bal Gandharva to get western artiste on its orchestra". Indian Express. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  11. ↑ Garima Mishra (10 Mar 2011). "Bal Gandharva to get western artiste on its orchestra, Page 2". Indian Express. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  12. ↑ "Swanand Kirkire debuts in Marathi with a biopic". Indian Express. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  13. ↑ "Saregama Balgandharva". Saregama. Retrieved 16 Dec 2011.
  14. ↑ "Balgandharva CD 1-1". Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  15. ↑ "Balgandharva CD 1-2". Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  16. ↑ "Balgandharva CD 2-1". Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  17. ↑ "Balgandharva CD 2-2". Retrieved 6 May 2012.

External links

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