BIMAL ROY'S MONSOON MUSE

Bimal Roy's Saavan songs reveal the many shades of the season: the arousing of physical intimacy among conservative youth, the return of estranged lovers, economic hope for farmers, and reunion with parents and childhood friends. It remains the great season of hope and longing-economic, physical, and spiritual.

- HIMANSHU DHULIYA NEW DELHI

The people of India have celebrated the season of 'Saavan' in song and dance, in ritual and religion, it is a season of hope, love and longing since ages. We may be unique in the' Pan India' celebration of 'Saavan' through centuries music( various raags; malhar, megh etc) poetry (Kalidas's Meghdoot) Drama( Aaashad ka ek Din) Dance and Cinema where it is represented in grand abundance. It is an emotional therapy which keeps our Emotional Quotient stimulated. Manifesting in various celebrations embedded in the cultural calendar and daily lives.

Customs passed down from generation through oral tradition. Many filmmakers ,song writers, singers and actors have contributed over the period to this pool of our Grand culture which we often accept as routine.

Though Indian Cinema shows the various shades of the season in songs and scenes, I intend to write about Bimal Roy the great film maker who inspires us still. Bimal Roy has made many landmark movies and given the film industry many great talents- Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar . Salil Chowdhry. His cinema was rooted in reality and yet was middle of the road. Simple, tender and progressive without any melodrama with strong story line. He was perhaps one of the most awarded filmmakers ( 11 filmfare awards) both as producer and director- 'Do beegha Zameen', 'Parinita', 'Biraj Bahu', 'Madhumati', 'Devdas' Sujata', "Parakh', 'Bandini'. His body of work is immense and relevant till date. Bimal da as he was fondly addressed gave much emphasis to music as is evident in his films and had this deep attachment to 'Saavan' (the monsoon) which he portrayed through songs in his films,the various facets of 'Saavan', sung in different styles and settings. Here I endeavour to highlight five of his 'Saavan' songs from his five films 'Do Bigha Zameen' 'Sujata' 'Parakh' 'Prem Patra' and' Bandini'.

'HARYALA SAAVAM DHOL BAJATA AYYA' DO BEEGHA ZAMEEN.

This 1953 film starred Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy.