Navrang

Directed by V. Shantaram.

India, 1959, tbcmins,

Cast: Sandhya, Mahipal, Vandana, K. Date, Aagha, Ulhas.

V Shantaram's colourful Navrang marked a hat-trick of successes, coming on the heels of the super successful musical Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), and the tale of prisoner reform, Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957).

Divakar (Mahipal), a poet, is deeply in love with his wife, Jamuna (Sandhya) but she cannot understand his creative impulses. Divakar embarks on a quest for his Mohini - an inspiring muse - and he creates an imaginary woman in Jamuna's image, one who will bring out the best in him. Jamuna misunderstands the situation and leaves him - and Divakar loses his voice and his ability to write...

The musical genius of C Ramchandra finds a perfect canvas in Navrang. 'Aadha hai chandrama' captures the vibrant excitement accompanying a lover's rendezvous. Holi revelry is exuberantly portrayed in 'Arre jaa re hath natkhat', while 'Yeh maati sabhi ki kahani' is like an instant injection of national pride.