Morning Raga
| Morning Raga | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Mahesh Dattani |
| Produced by | K. Raghavendra Rao |
| Written by | Mahesh Dattani |
| Starring | Shabana Azmi Prakash Kovelamudi Perizaad Zorabian Lillete Dubey Sanjay Swaroop |
| Music by | Mani Sharma / Amit Heri |
| Cinematography | Rajiv Menon |
| Running time | 110 min (US Edition) |
| Language | English Telugu |
Morning Raga is an Indian film with most of the dialogue in English, released in 2004. It was directed by Mahesh Dattani and starred Bollywood actresses Shabana Azmi and Perizad Zorabian, and Telugu actor Prakash. The film is unusual for its understated acting and extensive use of English, albeit with a generous smattering of Godavari Telugu.[1]
The film focuses on three main characters - all Telugu - whose lives have each been ruined by past tragedies and how they are united by circumstance. These three are all connected by a love of music, and through this the film explores elements of classical Indian Carnatic music, the raga, and contemporary Indian music.
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[edit] Plot
The story is set deep in the Andhra Pradesh countryside, in the West Godavari. Swarnalata (Shabana Azmi) is a classically trained Carnatic singer who lost her son and best friend in a bus accident. Swarnalata is still haunted by her loss, and keeps herself shut up in her grand house for twenty years, too depressed to meet people or even sing. Eventually her dead friend's son Abhinay (Prakash Rao) returns to the village to open up barely healed wounds. Abhinay and his girlfriend Pinky (Perizaad Zorabian) are both musicians, albeit with more modern tastes, and are itching to make it big. Abhinay knows of Swarnalata's skill in Carnatic music. Abhinay wants Swarnalata to sing with his band in a fusion piece, and after much persuasion Swarnalata agrees. The young couple and the lady singer slowly bond as they play together, and slowly their common wounds are put behind them. The day of concert Svarnlata's husband books a taxi, which breaks down and they are forced to take the bus to city. Svarnlata gets traumatized and starts screaming with fear and faints. Abhinay and Pinky are devastated when Svarnlata fails to show up for the show, with the organizers kicking them out. Pinky, decides to go back to the village, she finds Svarnlata weak and ill, filled with guilt of not showing up. She consoles her, while Svarnlata repeatedly apologises, her helplessness irritates pinky and she pushes Svarnlata in her car and drives across the bridge to show her that there is nothing to fear. Meanwhile in the city Abhinay has planned another concert, this time with only Pinky as main performer. Pinky starts singing and she is joined by Svarnalata on the stage. A side plot involving Abhinay's girlfriend Pinky (Perizaad Zorabian) and her city slicker mother (Lillete Dubey) add comedy into an otherwise serious and thoughtful film. The film was photographed by Rajiv Menon and edited by A. Sreekar Prasad. Music was composed by Mani Sharma.
[edit] Production
Shabana Azmi trained intensively in Carnatic music before she was allowed to sing during the film.[2] The house used for her character's home is a historic zamindar country mansion and estate near the West Godavari village of Kulla.
[edit] Reception
The film received mixed reviews, although the actors generally earned praise for their portrayals.[3]
One film critic wrote that, "Morning Raga is one of the most innovative and fresh films to come out of India in recent years".
[edit] Soundtrack
| Tr. # | Track name | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mahaganapatim | Bombay Jayashri |
| 2 | Thaye Yashoda | Sudha Ragunathan, Ranjani Ramakrishnan |
| 3 | Mathey | Sudha Raghunathan, Kalyani Menon |
| 4 | Pibare Ramarasam | Kalyani Menon |
| 5 | Samaja Varagamana | Gayathri |
| 6 | Todi Alaap | Kalyani Menon |
| 7 | Remembering His Violin | Gayathri |
| 8 | City Interlude | Instrumental |
| 9 | Alaap Jam | Nandini Srikar |
| 10 | Coffee Shop Montage | Sunitha Sarathy |
| 11 | Charminar | Veena, Rajesh Vaidya |
| 12 | The Chase | Gayathri |
| 13 | Jagado Dharana | Bombay Jayashri, Nandini Srikar |
| 14 | Mahaganapatim Jam | Bombay Jayashri |
[edit] References
- ^ Ramnarayan, Gowri (31 October 2004). "Music as a metaphor". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/10/31/stories/2004103100760500.htm.
- ^ Mahesh, Chitra. "Morning Raga". The Hindu. http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2004/11/05/stories/2004110502830300.htm.
- ^ Sen, Raja (October 28, 2004). "Not a very good morning!". Rediff. http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/oct/28raga.htm.
