Madhumati which released in 1958 with music by none other than the legendary Salil Choudhury and lyrics by Shailendra, was one of Bimal Roy's greatest commercial successes. The film deals with reincarnation and had a gothic noir feel to it.
'MADHUMATI' TURNS 50 ! - MY TRIBUTE
It was in a re-run matinee show that I first met her. Years have rolled by, but I still have those vague haunting memories.
Haan--- mujhe kuch kuch yaad aa raha hai.---
I am there at the theatre - Chitra at Dadar, already a bit late. The 'House Full' signboard is mocking at me. Undeterred I queue up to the blackmarketeer. At last, I enter the hall ten minutes late. The show has started. Lights are off. The usher is out of reach. I grope for any vacant seat, like so many others on the aisle. As I inch forward, I look up at the screen. It is a stormy night. Thundershowers are crashing on an old monument. A flash of lightning fleetingly lights up the silhouette of its huge dome. There is a figure groping its way as well inside the mansion. It is pitch dark on and off the screen, until Dilip Kumar lights up a candle to reveal his bewildered face. A shabby white curtain blows in wind and envelopes him. He moves on and stumbles upon a tattered painting. A quaint look of recognition creeps up his eyes, as he stares at the face in the painting smeared with red paint, and he mumbles (as only Dilip can), ' Haan---ab mujhe kuch kuch yaad aa raha hai.---'. Suddenly the screen lights up to a beautiful sunny morning at he hills. Chirping birds. Flowing river. Tranquility in air. Cheerful chorus of tea-picking girls. A fresh and charming Dilip Kumar saunters up the hills savouring the scenic beauty. As he breaks into Mukesh's mellifluous 'Suhana safar aur yeh mausam haseen' , I finally find my seat. I settle down to savour an unique audio-visual treat unfolding. I also find my first love amongst the best of Hindi cinema in 'Madhumati'!
It is difficult to analyse cerebrally why 'Madhumati', made in 1958 by Bimal Roy, remains to still be a fond favourite with scores of discerning film-buffs. It had neither the grandeur of a 'Mughal-e-Azam' or a 'Mother India', nor any powerful social content of a 'Pyaasa' or 'Shri 420' or other classics of that period. It was a fairy-tale-like-fantasy, an interesting yarn of romance, retribution and re-incarnation, not the typical stuff for the high-brows. Yet 'Madhumati' endeared to the critics and the commons alike. 'Madhumati's forte was perhaps the enigma it exuded, like the title character in the film, intriguing the viewer with its fleeting images and moods.
So we drift dreamily into Dilip's past life as Anand, a young artiste who comes to the hills to work in a timber estate and falls in love with an innocent tribal belle (doe- eyed Vyjantimala at her graceful best). The pristine romance is terminated when Madhumati jumps to her death to escape the clutches of the wicked Ugranarayan (Pran, evil-personified). Anand languishes in his anguish (as only Dilip can) until he comes across Madhavi, a stage-artiste (Vyj again) and plots with her to bring evil Ugra to books. The idea is to disguise Madhavi as Madhumati and present before Ug and scare the confession-stuff out of him. So the lady arrives at the appointed hour, corners U and makes him blurt out his black deeds to the waiting police. Then in a sequence that never fails to give goose-pimples, it turns out that it was not Madhavi but Madhumati's ghost who had come come back from the ashes to deliver the final justice! Flash to the front again, Dilip with his uploaded memory rushes to the railway station and re-unites happily with his wife(V again) and child, who had just escaped a train disaster in the stormy night.
(Does the story sound familiar to today’s teen-agers? Well, they would have seen OSO recently! BTW Farah Khan didn’t have the courtesy to acknowledge ‘Madhumati’ for the idea!)
'Madhumati' could have easily turned farcical in the hands of a lesser director, but the wizardry of Bimal Roy elevates it to a work of art. 'Madhumati' was also a tour-de-force of some of the master-talents of that time. Based on a story by the legendary Ritwick Ghatak, and backed by dialogues by Rajinder Singh Bedi , editing by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, B&W cinematography by Dilip Gupta capturing the myriad moods and nuances of nature with finesse, simple and soulful lyrics by the great Shailendra , a haunting background score and music straight from the hills and heavens by none other than the inimitable maestro Salil Chaudhry (with gems of melodies by Lata, Mukesh,Rafi and Manna Dey,Mubarak Begum), embellished by rhythmic folk-dances and a heady mix of romance and suspense and a dash of comic interlude by Johhny Walker (amusing, though a little out of place) - The final concoction was sheer magic unleashed!
Today at the 50th anniversary of ‘Madhumati’s release, when a reporter asked Vyjantimala whether she would like to see the film re-made in colour, she said ‘No, it will lose its dramatic impact’. I fully agree with her. May the 'Mughal-e-Azam's and 'Naya Daur's be painted afresh, but Madhumati is best, if left alone!
So that was 'Madhumati'. Magical. Mystical. Mesmerising. Memorable. No wonder it swept as much as nine 'Filmfare' awards and broke all records. It also mothered clones with identical re-incarnation themes, like 'Milan', 'Mehbooba', 'Karz' and 'Om Shanti Om'.
Quite a lot of Hindi films, mostly made by Vijay Anand, Gulzar, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Basu Chatterjee etc and most of the Salim-Javed & Amitabh Bachhan- combined ‘solid’ entertainers have special corners in my heart. But when it comes to my most favourite, Bimal Roy’s immortal Ghost-Lady would always come first in the photo-finish!
Dear myutterances,
Thank you for the comment. I too am very fond of the two songs you had mentioned. Both had a lovely beat and rhythm and in sync with Vyjantimala's graceful folk-dancing. Salil-da has always excelled when it comes to folk-music flavour!
Thanks & Regards,
Nathan.
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S Viswanathan
When I watched SRK starrer Om Shanti Om (OSO) I remembered film Madhumati. The last scene in OSO was a direct lift from Madhumati. In fact most sequences in the movie were inspired/copied from hit movies like Madhumati and Karz. New directors and proudcers don't have the courtesy to acknowledge the inspiration drawn from veterans like Bimal Roy. Instead they choose to include spoofs. Couldn't they think of original comic sequences, I wonder.
I wasn't aware of names like Rajender Singh Bedi and Dilip Gupta. Your blog celebrated not just the golden moments from the movie, but also the great names associated with its making. 
Like you, I also agree with Vyjayantimala's view that the movie "looks best in black and white".
Coming to Bimal Roy's Madhumati, your blog is a befitting tribute to the movie, the actors and singers -- the whole team associated with the making of the classic, as the film celebrated golden jublie of its release.
Though all the songs of Madumati are very popular and good, I personally like 'Zulmi Sang Aankh Ladi' and 'Bichuua' the most. The other song that I like very much is 'Aaja Re Pardesi' sung beautifully by Lata. (You may click the songs' titles to watch the song videos). The first two top my fav list. Though I am not a Lata fan, but I love her singing in Madhumati. Salil Chaudhary's music was amazing. The movie is one of the most popular b/w classics and is my favourite too. Thanks for reminding all of us about the movie and the songs. I would try to post the songs/videos in a blog. Thanks and Regards.
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Dear Shri S. V. Nathan,
I enjoyed very much reading your response to my comment. And this goes wothout saying.
I listened to both Malayalam songs which are brilliantly composed by Salil Da. In the first song, he used the same sounds and same bird-chirping as in Madhumati's "Suhana Safar" song although there is some variation. You are correct to say that when you listen to Salil Da's compositions especially to depict effect of nature, from my point of view, Salil Da is the BEST composer .
Salil Da was born and braught up in Hilly areas of Northeast Assam. And he was himself a Great Flute player and he loved Flute. And this is the precise reason why in many of his compositions he uses Flute in Folk style as in Madhumati songs.
In first song who is the female singer in duet with Yesudas? Is it Lata? sounds like it. Please let me know. I recognized Lata's voice in second song. In both songs like you said, it does give a feeling of flowing water, cool breeze and nature's greenery. Especially in second song, Lata sang in Malyalam language flawlessly (although I do not know Malyalam, yet I can feel it). In the later interlude of second song Salil Da gave a short Flute Tune very effectively.
Hats Off to Salil Da!
Once again, thanks Nathan Ji for giving 2 LINKs of Malyalam Songs composed by Maestro Salil Chowdhary.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Kamath
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Dear Shri S. V. Nathan,
Very very sorry to comment so late on your lovely blog on "Madhumati" Turns 50". An Excellent and Excellent review of this 1958 Old Classic. Are Nathan Saab : "Aap Ke liye to Hamari Jaan Haazir Hai".
You narrated the review in so much minute details that I got carried away. To be frank with you I got carried away more than when I play my Bansuri. Maan Gaye Ustaad. Whenever, anyone talks about Madhumati, I get very very nostalgic. I saw this movie in the first week when it was released at Dadar T.T. 's Broadway Theatre (which is no longer there as you know). I was spelllbound with Bimal Da's Superb direction same way when you got bowled over when you saw the movie in black ticket at Matinee show of Chitra Talkies.
Ab is Blog padhneke baad hum kya jaada kahen? Aap ne to subhi kuch keh diya.
The story of Madhumati was really a very gripping story and I would say the Best re-incarnation story ever made in Bollywood. Bimal Da maintains the curiosity until the end. And who else could have given such superb music for the movie other than Salil Da. Salil Da gave just right music as was required by the story. That mountain music to suit the scenery and the story of the movie was so melodious that we all movie buffs had figured out beforehand in 1958 that Salia Da would win the Filmfare award for Best Music (which was his only Filmfare Award) hands down beating stalwarts like SJ, SDB, OPN and Naushad.
Actually, during Filmfare award ceremony when Salil Da was asked to come to stage to receive 1958 Filmfare award for Best Music many people in the hall saw him almost jumping with Joy. Wah Wah! Kya Music Compose Kiya Aap ne!
From my point of view, the Haunting Song "Aaja Re Pardesi" by Lata is Lata's the Best song of her lifetime, although Lata says "Aayega Aanewala" as her Best Song of lifetime, but she also mentions that she loves "Aaja Re" so much so that it has a special place in her heart.
If you look at Madhumati, it has 4 Roles of Vyjayanti Mala (3 Roles in previous life : One as Lover, One as Ghost and one as Madhavi and fourth role as wife in current life).
In fact, Vyjayanti Mala looked most Beautiful in this movie more than any of her other movies. And reason why she looked so fabulous was that the movie was made in Balck and White where B&W captures every minute details of the faces more than colored movie. And this is the reason I agree with you and Vyjayanti mala that they should not spoil this movie by making it colored. I hope they will not do it, for God's sake. If they color it then the movie will loose all its audio-visual beauty.
Year 1958 has special emotional place in my life and one of the things I associate with 1958 is the release of unforgettable Masterpiece by Bimal Da Film : Madhumati.
I recently bought a DVD of the movie Madhumati and saw it many times. And I still feel like seeing it many more number of times.
Few years back, in an Interview at one of New York's Indian TV Program, Great Classical Vocalist Maestro Pt. Jasraj Ji mentioned that he saw Madhumati 7 times in Theatre. And he praised botBimal Da and specially Music by Salil Da. Now a compliment coming from a classical maestro like Pt. Jasraj Ji is enough to prove the great composing talent of Salil Da.
Finally, I liked that personal photo that you have pasted in your profie. I liked your broad moustache. I did not know that you also work in Computers. Thanks for posting your personal photo. I had an image shaped in my mind as how you looked and your photo matched with my imagination.
Please do post such brilliant blogs and I am sure many sulekhites will LOVE to read your blogs in future. I am am glad to note that you along Sivaram and Sablu Mukesh have carried my tradition of writing Blogs related to Bollywood and all of you write very well. Maybe since you are carrying my Mantle in Sulekha, I need not write in Sulekha on Bollywood anymore.
Anyway, I just posted a Photo Blog on my recent visit to "AMACHI MUMBAI" which you please visit and post your comprehensive comment. I know you love Mumbai as much as I do since it is hometown of both of us. I have also attached my Flute Tune "Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujpar" which I am sure you will like it.
So Long!!
CHEERS,
Dr. Kamath
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Dear palahali,
Thank you for visiting my blog and giving your comments! I note you have expressed the same opinion in your earlier blog that B&W classics should be left alone. Absolutely right! Colour will corrupt the charm of classics like 'Kagaz ke Phool' , 'Casablanca' etc. Thanks for the link to your blog. I visited it promptly and thoroughly enjoyed it! The old posters you had painstakingly compiled were nostalgic delights! I don't know how I had missed your posting before.
If you enjoy old songs, you may visit my old blog ,'The Super Six Hindi Film Musicals' for more nostalgic kicks! It will be a pleasure to know your own nominations for the 'Super Six'!
Regards,
S.V.Nathan.
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Sir
A very nice remembrance.I agree with you that it should be left alone. This is what woody Allen thought of gret films like casablanca, Maltese flacon etc...but they went on with it. When you have time, pl see the following blog which has a small poster of madhumati also. The blog will tkae some time to open since there are many jpg files.Thanks and regards
Old Hindi films
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Dear epananth,
So nice of you to visit my blog and give your comments! Thank you so much for the compliments! I find from your blogs that you too are an avid fan of old Hindi songs (from your 'Song for the Day' postings) and write a lot on cricket too! Please do visit my earlier blog, 'Baazigar Main Baazigar'---a parody on Shah Rukh Khan and his IPL connection!
Regards,
S.V.Nathan.
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Thank you, Kala-ji for the feedback!
You are right, That nerve-chilling climax in B&W indeed sent shivers up my spine, when I watched the film the first time!
Nathan.
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