In Michelangelo Antonioni's first colour film Red Desert (1965), the neurotic
heroine (portrayed by his muse and frequent lading lady Monica Vitti) remarks, ...
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00 Birth Anniversary O
Vasant Desai th
100 Birth Anniversary Of
Vasant Vasant Desai Desai (1912-1975) Vasant Desai was born on 9th June 1912 in a small village named Sonawade which is situated in the scenic Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra. His life journey was a musical one which took him to Kolhapur, Pune and then to Mumbai. His colossal contribution encompasses the silent era of Indian Films which started from Dadasaheb Phalke's 'Raja Harishchandra', the talkies which commenced from Ardeshir Irani's 'Alam Ara', Music, Theatre and Radio. His music is still fresh, fragrant and melodious just like his favourite flower- Mogra, immortal like the Bhupali by Honaji Bala - “Ghanashyam Sundara Shridhara Arunoday zala”, mellifluous, soothing like the prayer “Ae Maalik Tere Bande Hum” and romantic like the duet “Nain so nain nahi milao”. This music is based on the foundation of Indian Classical Music and is blessed with the vibrant imagination of this great man. Vasant Desai started his career with the Prabhat Film Company in 1929. He worked in the silent films from Prabhat. The introductory song 'Jay Jay Rajadhiraj' from the first talkie film from Prabhat, 'Ayodhyecha Raja' was sung by Vasant Desai. Vasant Desai composed music for 48 Hindi films, notable amongst these are 'Dr Kotnis ki Amar Kahani', 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath', 'Dahej', 'Jhaansi ki Rani', 'Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje', 'Toofan aur Diya', 'Goonj uthi Shehnai', 'Aashirwaad' and 'Guddi'; 20 Marathi films which include 'Amar Bhupali', 'Shyamchi Aai', 'Kanchanganga' and 'Chota Jawan', and 16 Musicals which include 'Pandit Raj Jagannath' and 'Seemevarun Parat Jaa'. His contribution as a composer to the poems of children from textbooks and the composer for choirs which had more than 1.5 lakh children as singers is noteworthy. Vasant Desai was working on his mission, 'Ek Sur Ek Taal' which was well received. He passed away leaving this mission incomplete.
Retrospective : Vasant Desai
PIFF 2013
Kavi Honaji Bala Amar Bhupali
Director: V. Shantaram roducer: V. Shantaram
1951-35 mm-136-Marathi-Black And White-India Cast: Panditrao Nagarkar, Sandhya, Lalita Pawar, Bhalchandra Pendharkar, Vishwas, Gulab, Jayarampant, Nimbalkar, Amina, Bandopant Sohoni Screenplay: Vishram Bedekar Cinematographer: G. Balakrishna Music Composer: Vasant Desai Production Company: Rajkamal Kalamandir Festival / Awards: Cannes Film Festival (1952)
It is a true story about a simple cow herder who has an innate gift of poetry set in waning days of Maratha confederacy circa early 1800s (early 19th century). It is an ode to the saffron flag of Marathas, calling on people to rise again against the foreign enemy.
Director’s Biography: Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre (18 November 1901 30 October 1990) referred to as V. Shantaram was a Indian filmmaker, film producer and actor. He directed his first film, "Netaji Palkar" in 1927. In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company along with Vishnupant Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi language film in 1932 under his direction.
Director’s Filmography: Netaji Palekar (1927) Ayodhya Ka Raja (1932) Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946) Amar Bhoopali (1951) Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955) Navrang (1959) Pinjra (1972)
Retrospective : Vasant Desai
PIFF 2013
Two Eyes Twelve Hands Do Aankhe Bara Hath 1957-35 mm-155-Hindi-Black And White-India
Director: V. Shantaram Cast: V. Shantaram, Sandhya, Uhlas, B.M. Vyas, Baburao Pendharkar, Paul Sharma, S.K. Singh, Gajendra, G. Invagle, Keshavrao Date, ChandorkarThyagaraj, S.Bhosle, Asha Devi, Samar, Suneel Screenplay: G.D. Madgulkar Cinematographer: G. Balakrishna Editor: Chintamani Borkar Music Composer: Vasant Desai Production Company: Rajkamal Kalamandir Festival / Awards: National Film Awards (1958) Berlin International Film Festival (1958) Golden Globe Awards (1959)
The film portrays a young jail warden, Adinath, who rehabilitates six deadly prisoners released on parole into persons of virtue. He takes these notorious, often surly, murderers and makes them work hard with him on a dilapidated country farm, rehabilitating them through hard work and kindly guidance as they eventually produce a great harvest.The film ends with the death of the warden at the hands of the minions of a corrupt enemy who wants no competition, in the profitable market he controls.
Director’s Biography: Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre (18 November 1901 30 October 1990) referred to as V. Shantaram was a Indian filmmaker, film producer and actor. He directed his first film, "Netaji Palkar" in 1927. In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company along with Vishnupant Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi language film in 1932 under his direction.
Director’s Filmography: Netaji Palekar (1927) Ayodhya Ka Raja (1932) Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946) Amar Bhoopali (1951) Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955) Navrang (1959) Pinjra (1972)
