Movie Name : Saraswati Chandra

Producer : Sarvodaya Pictures

Director : Govind Saraiya

Music Director : Kalyanji Anandji

Lyrics : Indeewar

Songs :

Chandan Sa Badan - Lata Mangeshkar (Click here to hear the sound)

Chhod De Saari Duniya Kissi Ke Liye - Lata Mangeshkar

Main To Bhul Chali Babul Ha Des - Lata Mangeshkar

Chandan Sa Badan - Mukesh

Humne Apna Sab Kuch Khoya - Mukesh

Phool Tumhe Bhija Hai Khat Mein - Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh

Film Synopsis :

Set in the 19th Century and adapting the most important reform novel in Gujrati (1887-1901). The rich Saraswatichandra (Manish) is to marry Kumud (Nutan), daughter of a neighbouring dewan. Initially committed to nationalism and reluctant to marry, he changes his mind when he falls in love with his fiancee. However, a jealous sister-in-law forces him to leave his ancestral residence, and Kumud is forced into marrying a drunk and a debauchee. She tries to commit suicide but is rescued by the nuns in a reformist charitable mission. Here she once again meets her former betrothed. Following the death of her degenerate husband, she is free to remarry, and is indeed encouraged by her family to do so, but instead she dedicates her life to charitable work. The 19th Century novelist Tripathi had been personally opposed to widow remarriage, contradicting his otherwise progressive reformism. Extraordinarily, a century later, the film endorses this attitude with a variety of melodramatic effects, making a contemporary love story with silhouetted split-lighting and a sentimental soundtrack even though the story is periodised by a commentary and 'period' decor. One of Nutan's typical performances of reformist romance fiction, the film is known for some major song hits including, Phool tumhe bhija hai khat mein, Chandan sa badan and Main to bhool chali babul ka des.

- Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema - Ashish Rajadhyaksha& Paul Willemen - New Revised Edition 1999-

Saraswati Chandra is not a movie for the faint hearted. At a running time of two hours and forty four minutes it requires not just a strong heart but also a long attention span. This classic encompasses it all, true love, lust, deceit, betrayal, moral duty and yes even a smidgen of violence. All this drama is backed up by a brilliant soundtrack by Kalyanji Anandji. In fact I will bet that most of you are familiar with all of the songs in the movie, but were unaware of their origins.

The two main characters are played by Nutan and Manish. They are backed up by a strong supporting cast which includes Vijaya Chaudhary, Sulochana and Jeevankala. The movie is set in Gujarat during the era in which the British had not yet made their presence felt. An era where orthodox conservatism ruled, where your jaat represented who you were, and where the role of women in society was clearly defined.

The movie opens with a marriage proposal from Saraswati Chandra to the father of Kumud (Nutan). In the letter Saraswati says that out of familial obligation to his father he is proposing to Kumud , and since he has devoted his life to "Lok Seva", he is devoid of any interest in such frivolous matters as women. Kumud who is eavesdropping on all of this decides to take matters into her own hands and win Saraswati's heart by sending him letters that proclaim her love for him. The strategy works and Saraswati is quite taken by his bride-to-be. He is so taken that he comes to visit her home. What entails is a playful and sometimes sensual courtship of the two lovers.

Saraswati returns to his home filled with longing to be united with his bride-to-be. This of course does not sit well with his stepmother who fears her place will be usurped by the new "bahu". So she plots and plans, finally poisoning Saraswati's father's mind with her deceitful bitter words. A rift is created between father and son, which results in Saraswati abandoning his wealth and leaving his home. Being that he is now a penniless pauper he writes to Kumud's father saying that he is filled with love for Kumud, and when he comes to the realization that he cannot exist without her, he sets off to her house to explain to her family what happened in the hopes that they will still accept him as their son-in-law.

Meanwhile over at Kumud's pandemonium has broken loose. A rejected daughter, oh what shame. How will the family ever show their face in society again? How will the younger daughter ever find a husband. Luckily a neigboring merchant has sent in a proposal asking for Kumud's hand in marriage for his son. Kumud's family decides to save face and accepts the proposal. Kumud's mother comforts her daughter by telling her that although her heart will always belong to Saraswati, she must accept her new role, one of a wife, and abide by the duties and discipline that come with it. Saraswati meanwhile is making haste to be united with Kumud. However he is delayed when his boat is swept away by a storm. He braves the dark tormented seas arriving just in time to see Kumud being carried away in a doli to her in laws' home.

The length of the movie is made bearable by poignant dialogue, authentic traditional garb, Hindi in its purest form, memorable music, an ending that will startle even the most jaded, and to top it all off, Nutan in her finest hour.

- Neeta Misra, March 28 1997