Omrito Kumbher Shondhane- Bengali Film.

It is a Spiritual Fim which tells us about the journey to the Kumbh Mela by all the protagonists, directed by famous actor Dilip Roy (the third Pic). The story is originally written by Kaalkut (Samaresh Basu), the cover pic of the book is the second one. And the first one is the poster of the film.

Shubhendu Chattopadhyaya plays the role of the narrator with whose eyes, we are watching the story. He meets many characters in the course of his journey and comes to know about their life story from the short meetings. We have a bengali shopkeeper, three wives of an old man, an old woman attending the 'snan' with her grandson and daughter in law, a 'vairaagi' with his wife, a blind singer, a saint sharing his life story, story of a simple village woman becoming a famous devotional singer, a father searching for his daughter, a daughter in law taking unconventional steps to make her father in law happy, a wife searching for her lost husband and so on... Many many stories, really nice one... You won't able to forget the characters. All the actors have done such superb work that they are edged permanently in our memory even with a role lasting for only 5 min on screen...

The messege which I got from it was that we all are searching for something. Some get or attain it in the Kumbh mela, their journey ends there and some don't, their journey still continues. And even after all these incidents ( i.e.- after the sad happenings or so-called 'tragedies') happen in our life, the life still goes on and on. That is the 'Ultimate Truth' that everythig is transitory. The events of today become past if we look at it tomorrow...

Really an excellent film, worth watching for the sheer congregation of characters, the actual location of a mela, the river and the angle of a 'silent observer' in front of whom, all these events are taking place. When we consider this , then we can actually understand that life is a journey, we move constantly, from one place to another with our different aims, very few people have left this phase to be 'aware' and to 'look at the life', not to move with it in an unaware state (i.e.- with the masses)... Brilliant book and Brilliant direction, acting, casting, script...

This is what Wikipedia says about the Film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amrita_Kumbher_Sandhane

A review: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060421/asp/etc/story_6110092.asp

And you can watch the film here:

http://www.bharatmovies.com/bengali/watch/amrita-kumbher-sandhane-movie-online.htm

(watch it here, also with some detailed info):

http://www.banglatorrents.com/showthread.php?14860-Amrita-Kumbher-Sandhane-(1982)-Bengali-Movie

Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan(5)- Nice Family Moments and The Arrival of Rishi Vishwamitra

In our last post we saw Shri Ram along with His brother come back to Rajprasad from the Gurukul of Sage Vashishth. The Mothers were very very eager to meet their sons after a long time! Guru Vashishtha trakes them at first to Raja Dashrath and then the Queens also come. The meeting is an emotional one! I Love to see this part again and again! The way Shri Ram meeta Mata Kaikeyi and Mata Sumitra before meeting Mata Kaushalya expresses the ‘Maturity’ in the relation of the Mother-Son. They understoood each other so well!! Mata Kaushalya is always the last person Shri Ram comes to meet! I just love this Special Understanding, the Special bond, the Repect they have for each other! Simply Overwhelming!

You can watch these sc.s from the end of this links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBvYFddNdB8&feature=related

And it continues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI5xciGA1HQ&feature=related

We have some very sweet family moments here, the Mothers guiding the servants to apply proper uptan to all the four Princes and after that, all of them take their food together.

Then at night Dashrath comes to the door of the room where Shri Ram is sleeping and looks at Him! The way he ‘keeps on’ looking at His beloved son is sooo Emotional! We can FEEL that his life is solely dependent on his son! His conversation with Kaushalya- about their loving son is very very sweet!! This sc is another evidence of Dashrath's Love for Shri Ram! Many more of such sc.s are also there in later episodes depicting this very Special Bond which was the very ‘life breath’ of Dashrath!

Now we have a development in the storyline, i.e.- we see Sage Vishwamitra for the first time here, who will be present in the events till the end of Baalkand. So here we see that the Sage with his followers are perfoming sacrificial rites (yagna which gets disrupted by Rakshasaas, like Subaahu, Mareech. To perform the yagna are important for the ‘Welfare of the Society/ Creation’. So, Vishwamitra decides to take the help of Raja Dashrath.

He visits the royal court and when Dashrath suggests about sending army with him, he says- "abhi uske liye uchit samay nahi hai"- this dialogue is very very significant as we will notice the 'uchit samay' in the furute course of events. For now, Vishwamitra wanted Shri Ram only to guard their yagna.

Here we also have some dialogues from Vashishtha along with Vishwamitra about the 'true identity' (swaroop) of Shri Ram and bout his capabilities. We get this dialogue- “Ram ka naam Dharam aur Sanskriti ka pehchaan banker amar avinaashi bana rahega”- from Vashishtha her. But Dasharath is unaware of this truth. For him Shri Ram is only his son. At first, Dasharath was apprehensive about letting Ram go with Sage Vishwamitra, as he got attached to ‘Putra-moh'- but later Rishi Vashishstha reminds him about his ‘duties as a king’ and he decides to let his son go to kill the demons.

In this context, here we have another short sc following this one, where Dasharath discusses with Kaikeyi about the ‘Duties of a king’. She starts to condemn the ‘detached’ approach of the sages. Here Dashrath explains how the ‘Whole Creation/ the Society’ is the Family of the Sages. They are ‘beyond any borders/ limitations’, beyond any bondage as they ‘belong to all’. All are dear to them! They have this ‘Broad Vision’, which includes the whole creation in it! So, they should have Faith on the Sages while leaving Shri Ram in his care. Dashrath also explained how he experienced the ‘dharma sankat’ beween the role of a ‘father’ and the role of a ‘king’ while taking the decision about Ram. But he realized that the ‘duties of a king’ is more important, Here, it relates to the prev sc. Really loved this short sc!

In Ramayan, the stress is always given on ‘Dharma’ or the ‘ways’ of the Dharma as well as ‘proper Respect for the Sages, Virtues, Religion’ ( i.e.- ‘Sanatam Dharma’). RSji has explained their POV in many many sc.s after this, mainly in aranya kand sc.s, will write about that later. That is the reason why I prefer to watch RSji’s works and suggest others also to watch them as- we cannot live our life without Dhrama and to understand Dharma, we have to look at all these sc.s closely ard extract the messege from them. Ramayan is indeed a Masterpiece as it analyses all theses situations with the ‘correct approach’.

The Vishwamitra sequence starts from this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7aFKnAjWz8&feature=related

And continues thr' this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7t7U-Q1hoU&feature=related

In my next post, we'll start with the journey of Shri Ram and Lakshman with Sage Vishwamitra.

Jai Shri Ram!

(You may also like these posts on 'Ramayan'- Part- 4 )

'Keno Jaagena Jaagena':- Bengali song by Rabindranath Tagore

Today I am posting another beautiful song by Rabindranath Tagore. It is basically a Brahma Sangeet where he laments at his Souls's failure to Appreciate and Recognise the Lord in all aspects of the creation. The way he describes the Blessings of the Lord in every single corner of our life is soo Beautiful!! I tried to translate the song. Please pardon my mistakes in doing so, I only wanted to share the 'Content' of this beautiful song with all of you.

Here is the audio link of the song, you can lsten/ download it from here:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/93445782cfa0f63c/

Keno jaagena, jaagena, obosho poraan-

(Why my Soul doesn’t wake up, O Lord!)

Nishidino achetono, dhuli shayan.

(It is forever asleep, in a miserable condition.)

Jaagichhe taara, nishitho aakaashe,

( Look, the stars are awake in the night sky, )

Jaagichhe shoto onimesho noyaan.

(Like thousands of surprised eyes.)

Bihogo gaahe bone phute phuloraashi,

(Hear the musical notes in the birds’ chirping, look at the lovely flowers in the jungle,)

Chandroma haanshe shudhaamoyo haanshi-

(Look at the moon with her beautiful smile-)

Tobo maadhuri keno, jaagena praane?

(Still O Lord! Why am I unable to ‘realise’ Thy Benevolence?)

Keno herina tobo premo boyaan?

(Why am I unable to ‘perceive’ Thy Loving Face?)

Paai jononiro ojaachito sneho,

(I’m always receiving the spontaneous love of my mother)

Bhaai bhoginiro modhumoyo geho,

(I live in a house full with loving Brothers and Sisters,)

Koto bhaabe shoda tumi, aachho je kaachhe,

(O Lord! In how many different ways You are always with me,)

Keno kori toma hote doore proyaan?

(Still, why do I move further and further from You?)

You may also like these posts on Rabindranath Tagore-

# 'Chiroshokha He'

# 'Tumi Ebar Aamay'

Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan(4)- 'Gurukul' Episodes

Yes, now we have Shri Ram along with Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna in the Gurukul of Sage Vashishth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulFpN5QGzQ8&feature=related

This scene starts with the dinner of Dasharath and the queens having their dinner, the background music is Soooo Sad that I feel like crying each time. Then we have this emotional conversation between Daahrath with both the queens- Kaikeyi and Kaushalya.

After that we have the proper Gurukul Episodes, it continues through this link and some of the next links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4epZTLhXhc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwHA4ACVFLo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFp9IhtICRc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH1r1nmhFn0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNIzhZSQdRA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBvYFddNdB8&feature=related

I LOVE ALL the scenes of this phase. All the lessons taught by Guru Vashishth are So Uplifting, Significant, Wise that I can watch them over and over again. We found So much from the messege of Shrimad Bhageat Geeta in these scenes! They are always my favourite scenes as I Love to read Shimad Bhagwat Geeta!

(Here is a song from the gurukul episodes showing the ideals:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmgc-K608d8&feature=related )

Here we have three Wonderful songs, first one is 'Aaja aaja re nindiya',( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqvMQeCQ5Fw&feature=related ), a lullaby by Gurumata - this is one of my Most Favourite song! I LOVE the Music of this song. I also want to write about the picturisation of this song- all the students are feeling as if there mothers are with them and singing lullaby for them. And the last scene , where Ramanand Saagarji has shown us how all the students are lying in the lap of their mothers- is one of the Most Most Memorable sc for me from Ramayana. This scene just creates the MAGIC! It is here that we feel united with the emotions of the characters, we also experience the same!! The direction is Sooo Powerful that any person watching this song will start crying automatically! I Love to watch it and specially this last scene!

Then we have the song 'Lalit kare Navbhor vandana', (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iOhoW_7BhI), based on Classical Ragas, where Gurumata teaches Music to the students. This one also has very nice Music!

After that we have another song- 'Damarupaani, Shoolpaani' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7VQxQcv8HQ&feature=related ), on the occasion of Shivaratari- It is very very Blissful, specially where Shivji starts dancing along with the veena played by Shri Ram! The Lyrics are very very meaningful and true!

Lyrics:

Aaja Aaja Ri Nindiya (Rajmatas' Lullaby)

http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1261945&TPN=91&#26019859

Lalit Kare Nav Bhor Vandana

http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1349127&TPN=9

Damarupaani, Shoolpaani, He Natraajan Namo Namo!

http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1311014&TPN=99

We also have two shlokas- Saraswati Puja ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe3PKMSZh9E&feature=related) and Surya namaskar ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UnHnoGac1Y&feature=related), both are very nice.

This phase ends with the Students returning to the palace wearing the royal dress, the Gurumata feels sad in the time of their depature. Next we will be having some really nice family moments from Ayodhya Raajprasad and the arrival of Sage Vishwamitra.

Jai Shri Ram!

(You may also like these posts on 'Ramayan'- Part- 3, Part- 5 )

Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan(3)- The Childhood of Shri Ram

Now we have the childhood scenes of Shri Ram along with his brothers- a Blissful song describing the childhood of Shri Ram, 'Thumaka Chalata', Y/T link-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLxsvE5lyI&feature=related

Here is a nice conversation between Shivji and Parvati, do watch it! It expresses all the 'characteristics' and the 'Aim' of Shri Ram Avtaar in such a nice way! And also tells us about the birth of Hanumaanji!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgXAKXlNtgk

And after that we have another Beautiful song where the mothers are waking up the babies- 'Jaago nayno ke taare', Y/T link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGCbYWdCDs4

Lyrics:- http://dpriya-literaturefilmsmusic.blogspot.com/2010/06/jaago-hindi-songs-from-tv-series.html

This song has the Kaikeyi and Bharat in the second stanza and I just LOVE to watch it again and again!The way 'Rajni beeti bhor bhayi' upto 'Kangnaa ke jhankaare' is enacted, we get such a nice idea about the relation of Bharat with Kaikeyi! I become very very sad while thinking about the future course of events and the bitter relation between Bharat and Mata Kaikeyi while watching this sc..s

The next the stanza of this song is with Sumitra and Lakshman-Shatrughna - it is another sweet scene! I cannot describe the emotions which I go through while watching them!

This song has always been my one of the Most favourite songs of Ramayan from the time I started to watch it properly for the first time in 2009.

Another link of this sc:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJxLe6AmhUA&feature=related

Then we have some fleeting scenes of Shri Ram's childhood, where he is playing with his brothers and the Mothers are feeling Contented while looking at them. Next King Dasharath announces about the 'Yagyopovit sanskaar' of the boys and Guru Vashishtha takes them to the Gurukul. From where we'll start in my next post.

Link of this episode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q2VNK9Jcfo&feature=related

Jai Shri Ram!

(You may also like these posts on 'Ramayan'- Part 2, Part 4)