1.Amrit Manthan
Amrit Manthan is a 1934 Hindi costume drama film directed by V. Shantaram for his Prabhat Film Company.The film was produced simultaneously in Hindi and Marathi. The film starred Chandra Mohan, Nalini Tarkhad, Shanta Apte, G. R. Mane, Varde and Kelkar. The film was based on Narayan Hari Apte's novel Bhagyashree. The Hindi translation was done by Veer Mohammed Puri who also wrote the lyrics for the film.
The story involves a reformist king who bans human and animal sacrifices, and a fanatical head priest who is willing to cut off his own head for a perfect sacrifice.
The story is about a reformist king Kantivarma (Varde) who bans the sacrifice of animals and humans. This angers the fanatical Rajguru (Chandra Mohan), head priest of the Chandika cult. The cult meets secretly and the head priest orders the killing of the king. Yashodharma is chosen and though he hesitates, the priest orders him to do so. Yashodharma writes a note for his son before leaving that night telling him of the deed planned by the Rajguru. After the King is killed, Yashodharma (Kulkarni) is betrayed by the Rajguru in court and ordered to be killed. Yashodharma's two children, Madhavgupt (Mane) and Sumitra (Shanta Apte), are on the run but Madhav is caught and the letter found on him by one of Rajguru's men. Sumitra is taken prisoner and Rani Mohini (Nalin Tarkhud) who succeeds to the throne after her father's death is asked to have Madhav sacrificed in the temple by the Rajguru. There is a storm and Mohini and Madhav escape to the forest. Madhav later goes in search of his sister. Vishwasgupt (Kelkar), a trusted minister tells Mohini and the people of Avanti about Rajguru being the real killer. The temple is thronged by townspeople demanding justice and the Rajguru with his obsessive belief in sacrifices offers himself to the goddess and cuts off his own head as a final sacrifice.
V. Shantaram having studied new techniques in film making in Germany made use of them during the making of Amrit Manthan. He kept the camera low angle with a circular track movement and made effective use of light and shades particularly at the start of the film when the cult meets. It was the first film to be produced at the Prabhat film company's new sound-proof studio and under the art direction of Fattelal spectacular sets were put up.Through the film V. Shantaram used "reformist tradition in Hinduism" to revoke the practice of sacrifices at festivals and prayers. V. Shantram who had presented Durga Khote to films now introduced Chandra Mohan in his debut role as the High Priest in Amrit Manthan.Chandra Mohan went on to be counted as one of the top actors of the Indian screen. The film was the first to have a run of twenty-five weeks (silver jubilee) at a theatre.
The music direction was by Keshavrao Bhole and lyrics written by Veer Mohammed Puri. The first Hindi film ghazal "Kamsini Mein Dil Pe Gham Ka" was rendered in the film by Shanta Apte.
Songs
1 "Kamsini Main Dil Pe Gham" Shanta Apte
2 "Raat Aai Hai" Shanta Apte
3 "Dekho Dekho" Shanta Apte
4 "Taro Mori Bipta' Shanta Apte
5 "Arzoo-E-Dil Aayaaan Karne Se"
6 "Andheri Ab Beeti Saadho Vipada Ki Raat"
7 "Jayati Jai Ambike"
8 "Sakhi Ri Shyam" Vasant Desai
9 "Soinri Pyash Bhagi"
10 "Aurat Ka Dukh Haro Devi Durga"
11 "Abla Hai Buri Bala"
12 "Banwa Ki Chhavi"
13 "Jiya Mora Na Bisaar
Chandra Mohan (1906–1949)
He is known for his work in Hindi cinema in the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Narsinghpur in Madhya Pradesh, he was known for his large grey eyes, voice modulation and dialog delivery. His eyes form the opening sequence in V. Shantaram's 1934 film Amrit Manthan, which was also his film debut. It was the first film made in the new established Prabhat Films studio, and made both in Hindi and Marathi. Mohan received acclaim for his role as role Rajguru and went on to establish himself as noted villains of times. Mohan later appeared as Emperor Jehangir in Sohrab Modi's Pukar, as Randhir Singh in Mehboob Khan's Humayun, and as Seth Dharamdass, in Mehboob Khan's Roti.
One of his last appearance was in Ramesh Saigal's 1948 film Shaheed. As Rai Bahadur Dwarka Nath, he played father to Ram, who was portrayed by Dilip Kumar. Mohan's character in this film initially supports the British Government but later favors the Freedom Struggle. Chandra Mohan's last movie was a religious movie Rambaan (1948) in which he played the role of the demon emperor Ravana.
He was the original choice to play the lead role in K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam, but due to his untimely death the film had to be reshot after ten reels were shot with him as lead. The film was eventually released in 1960. Chandra Mohan took to heavy gambling and drinking and died penniless on 2 April 1949 at the age of 42 at his residence, Bilkha House, in Bombay.
Shanta Apte (1916-1964)
She worked in Marathi and Hindi cinema as singer-actress. Renowned for her roles in films like Duniya Na Mane/Kunku (1937) and Amar Jyoti (1936) under the Prabhat Films banner, she was active in Indian cinema from 1932-58. Apte's impact on Marathi cinema "paralleled" that of Kanan Devi's in Bengali cinema.Along with Kanan Devi, Apte is cited as one of the "great singing stars" from before the playback singing era. Apte began her career in films playing the role of a young Radha in the Marathi film Shyamsunder (1932). She joined Prabhat Films acting in her first Hindi language film Amrit Manthan in (1934).
Born in 1916 in Dudhni, Maharashtra, India, to a Brahmin family, Apte was the daughter of a station master. Following her father's inclination towards singing, the young Apte took up it up, rendering bhajans at the local Ganesh festivals in Poona. She studied music at the Maharashtra Sangeet Vidyalaya in Pandharpur. Apte started her acting career when she was discovered at the age of nine years by Baburao Pendharkar and then cast in Bhalji Pendharkar directed film Shyamsunder. The film is stated to be the first Marathi film to celebrate a "silver jubilee" (25 weeks) in a single theatre. In 1934 she was cast as the hero's sister in Amrit Manthan directed by V. Shantaram for Prabhat Films. The film was a "box-office bonanza" and a big break for Apte. It was the first Hindi talkie film to celebrate a silver jubilee and was screened at International Film Festival, Venice. Apte rendered four solo songs under the music direction of Keshavrao Bhole, including the first recorded filmy ghazal "Kamsini Mein Dil Pe Gham Ka". 1936 saw Apte acting in V. Shantaram directed Amar Jyoti. It co-starred Durga Khote, Vasanti and Chandra Mohan and was Prabhat Film banner's first film to have playback singing.In 1937, she acted in V. Shantaram's Duniya Na Mane also called The Unexpected, where she played the role of a young girl, Nirmala, who is married to a rich old widower, played by Keshavrao Date. She protests and refuses to acknowledge him as her husband. In the end, the old man realises what he's done and commits suicide, leaving a note where he asks Nirmala to remarry. Shanta sang an English song in the film, a version of H. W. Longfellow's Psalm of Life. The same year she acted in the Marathi version of the film called Kunku. The film proved to be the biggest success of her career and is still acclaimed by critics.In 1938 Apte acted in another famous film from Prabhat Films, directed by V. Shantaram called Gopal Krishan.In 1941, Apte acted in Savithri, a Tamil film, which also had M. S. Subbalakshmi playing the role of Narad.Apte acted with Noor Jehan in Duhai (Curse) in 1943, a social melodrama where Noor Jehan played the second lead. The film was directed by Vishnu Vyas it had music by Rafiq Ghaznavi and Pannalal Ghosh.In 1946, Apte acted in four films with Subhadra being a "mythological comedy", which was produced and directed by Master Vinayak and co-starred Yakub, Ishwarlal and Lata Mangeshkar. Subhadra had Apte and Lata Mangeshkar singing together in the song "Main Khili Khili Phulwari" under the music direction of Vasant Desai.Then came Uttara Abhimanyu directed by Sarvottam Badami for Paras Pics and co-starring Shahu Modak, Panihari directed by V. M. Gunjal starred Surendra and Yakub, and Valmiki directed by Bhalji Pendharkar with both Prithviraj and Raj Kapoor acting in the film. Shanta Apte thus had the rare distinction of singing and acting with the three "iconic female singers" of Indian cinema: with M. S. Subbulakshmi in Savithri (1941), with Noor Jehan in Duhai (1943), and with Lata Mangeshkar in Subhadra (1946).1950s saw fewer films from Shanta Apte. She acted in Marathi films like Raja Paranjpe's Jara Japoon (Be Careful) in 1950 with Keshavrao Date and Leela Chitnis, Kunkvacha Dhani (1951) directed by Datta Dharamadhikari, Tai Teleen (1953) directed by K. P. Bhave, and Mulu Manek (1955) directed by Manhar Rangildas Raskapur.Her last two films were in Hindi, Chandi Puja starring Nirupa Roy, Manhar Desai and Prem Adib and directed by Raman B. Desai, and the last released film Ram Bhakta Vibhishan in 1958, directed by Samar Chatterjee with the same star cast as Chandi Puja.Apte died of a heart attack following a six-month illness, on February 24, 1964, at her residence in Andheri, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
2.Chandidas
Chandidas is a 1934 Hindi social drama film directed by Nitin Bose. The film was produced by New Theatres Calcutta and was their first big success. It was remake of the 1932 Bengali film of the same name directed by Debaki Bose. This 1934 Hindi version starred K. L. Saigal, Uma Sashi, Pahari Sanyal, Nawab and H. Siddiqui. The music direction was by R. C. Boral with the lyrics written by Agha Hashar Kashmiri. The credit roll of the film states that the film is "Based on the life problems of the poet Chandidas –A problem India has not been able to solve", which involved the caste schism in India. The story revolves around the 15th century poet-saint Chandidas who acts out against the deep-rooted bigotry against caste, untouchoubility and the hypocrisy of society, and a washer woman with whom he falls in love.[
Chandidas (K. L. Saigal), a lover of truth and humanity is the disciple of Acharya (M. Ansari), a priest in the temple. Baiju (Pahari Sanyal), a washer-man lives with his wife and sister Rami (Uma Sashi) in the village where the Zamindar (landowner) Gopinath (Nawab) though outwardly religious and respecting the Brahmins is an evil man. Gopinath has a henchman Sarju (H. Siddiqui) who carries out his dirty work. Rami sweeps the compound of the temple where Chandidas sees her while he carries on his duties in the temple. They fall in love which causes resentment in Gopichand who has been eyeing Rami, but when she spurns his advances he has her kidnapped. His wife comes to the rescue of Rami and helps her escape. The Zamindar goons go after her and assault her. Gopichand convinces the priest that Chandidas should be punished and made to repent for associating with a lower caste woman. Chandidas agrees to this but then sees Rami’s injuries and realises the duplicity of the so-called pious men. He renounces his life in the village and leaves it accompanied by Baiju, his wife and Rami.
Cast
K.L. Saigal as Chandidas, Umasashi as Rami,Pahari Sanyal as Baiju,Nawab as Gopinath,M. Ansari as Acharya,H. Siddiqi as Sarju,Anwaribai,Parvati as Kusum,
Music
The music was by R. C. Boral and lyrics by Agha Hashar Kahmiri with the songs sung by K. L. Saigal, Pahari Sanyal and Uma Shashi. The use of a "full-fledged orchestra" was attempted successfully for the first time for this film. The memorable song sung by K. L. Saigal and Uma Shashi, "Prem Nagar Mein Banaoongi Ghar Main" became extremely popular and "won K. L. Saigal nationwide fame".Chandidas is the first movie to have background music
Songs
1 "Tadpat Beete Din Rain" K. L. Saigal
2 "Prem Nagar Mein Banaooingi Ghar Main" Saigal, Uma Sashi
3 "Prem Ki Ho Jai Jai" Saigal, Pahadi Sanyal, Uma Shashi
4 "Prem Ka Pujaari" K. L. Saigal
5 "Basant Ritu Aayi Aali" Uma Sashi
Pahari Sanyal
Uma Sashi
https://atulsongaday.me/tag/uma-shashi/
3.Grihalaxmi
Director:Sarvottam Badami
Cast:Yakub, Jal Merchant, Sabita Devi, K. C. Dey, Swaroop Rani, Lalita Devulkar, Asooji, Mehboob Khan, Kamla
Sabita Devi
She is stated to be one of the "prominent" leading ladies of the "pioneering era" of Indian cinema. A Jew by birth, she changed her name to find acceptability in Hindi cinema like the other Anglo-Indian and Jewish actresses of her time. After initially working with British Dominion Films Ltd., Calcutta, she shifted to Bombay and performed mainly in films produced by Sagar Movietone with her co-star in most films being Motilal. Some of the popular films with Motilal were Dr. Madhurika (1935) and Kulvadhu (1937). One of the top directors of the time she worked with doing social genre films was Sarvottam Badami. She formed her own production company, Sudama Pictures, in collaboration with Sarvottam Badami along with the assistance of Ranjit Studios. From 1935–1943 Sabita acted in fifteen films, all directed by Badami. Some of the comedy films she acted in like Aap Ki Marzi (1939) and Ladies Only (1939), turned out to be big box-office successes.[
Grihalakshmi (English: Educated Wife) is a 1934 Hindi social family melodrama film directed by Sarvottam Badami with story by Dr. Jayant Shyam and cinematography by Faredoon Irani. The film was produced by Sagar Movietone and had music by S. P. Rane.The cast included Sabita Devi, Jal Merchant, Yakub, Kamala Devi, K. C. Dey, Swaroop Rani and Asooji.
Badami became well known for directing "sensitive" and "socially relevant" films like Grihlakshmi for Sagar Movietone. The film was a remake of the earlier Bhaneli Bhamini (1927) which had a relevant social message to impart against sexually transmitted disease according to an advertisement in the Bombay Chronicle in 1927. This 1934 version differed in context showing an educated steadfast wife going through humiliation at the hands of her husband, but continuing to stay with him.
Malti (Sabita Devi) is the daughter of a wealthy mill-owner Jagmohandas (Asooji), who is an evil, corrupt man. She meets a young man Vinod (Jal Merchant) in College. They both fall in love and decide to get married. However, Vinod's father is humiliated by Jagmohandas and he commits suicide. An angry Vinod decides to take revenge by marrying Malti and putting her through mental and physical abuse. An old friend of Malti's, Sudhakar (Balaram), loves her from college days and watches the treatment Malti suffers through her husband but is unable to do anything. Vinod takes to drinking and bringing nautch girls home. Malti suggests Sudhakar get married to Nalini (Swaroop Rani) who is ultra-mod but Malti tries to help her turn traditional. Vinod gets into gambling and when he needs money, Raghu (Mehboob Khan), a worker in the factory helps him out. Vinod in his debauched state eyes first Raghu’s wife and then Nalini, when she comes to visit Malti. Malti helps her escape but is beaten up by Vinod. She leaves the house and goes to live with her father. Sudhakar comes to tend to her and Vinod arrives at the same time. Seeing Sudhakar there with his wife Vinod gets jealous and shoots at Sudhakar. Sudhakar dies and Vinod is on the run. In the end he realises Malti's devotion to him and is repentant.
Music
There were sixteen songs in the film with music composed by S. P. Rane. The singers were Lalita Devulkar, K. C. Dey, Sabita Devi and Jal Merchant.
4.Mazdoor a.k.a. The Mill
Director:M. D. Bhavnani
Cast:P. Jairaj, Bibbo, Navin Yagnik, Ameena, Tarabai, Khalil, S. L. Puri, Bhudo Advani, Nayampally, Abu Bakar
The first film to be banned by the British Government. Re-issued as Ghar Parwar in 1936.
5.Seeta
Seeta was a 1933 Indian talkie Bengali film, directed by Debaki Bose and produced by the East India Film Company. It won an honorary diploma in the 2nd Venice International Film Festival in 1934, becoming the first Indian talkie to be shown at an international film festival.The film starred Gul Hamid, Prithviraj Kapoor as Rama, and Durga Khote as Sita.
Debaki Bose
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"In 1932, he made 'Chandidas', which was the first Indian movie to have background music. Music Director was Raichand Boral, also known as R.C. Boral.
Prior to that in 1931, his film 'Aparadhi' was the first Indian film to use artificial lighting.
Prior to that in 1931, his film 'Aparadhi' was the first Indian film to use artificial lighting.
Seeta, a 1934 Indian talkie directed by Debaki Bose, won an honorary diploma in the 2nd Venice International Film Festival in 1934 where it was the first Indian talkie to be shown at an international film festival. The film starred Gul Hamid, Prithviraj Kapoor as Rama and Durga Khote as Sita. Produced under the East India Film Company's banner, it was for the first time an Indian film had won a prize abroad. He became the first Indian director to win a prize abroad. Unfortunately, there are no prints of Seeta. They were destroyed in a fire a few years ago in the Pune Film Archives. There are only a few clippings that remain.
Sagar Sangamey is a 1959 Bengali film directed by Debaki Bose. The film won the National Award for the Best Film and the Best Child Actress in 1959. The award was presented by the first President of India – Dr Rajendra Prasad and the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was screened at the 9th Berlin International Film Festival.
Sagar Sangamey is a 1959 Bengali film directed by Debaki Bose. The film won the National Award for the Best Film and the Best Child Actress in 1959. The award was presented by the first President of India – Dr Rajendra Prasad and the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was screened at the 9th Berlin International Film Festival.
Arghya (1961) was a very special documentary film, produced by the Government of West Bengal on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore's birth centennial. It was based on four poems of Tagore: Pujarini, Puratan Bhritya, Abhisar and Dui Bigha Jami.
He received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Film Direction in 1957. He received Padma Shri in Arts in 1958. He was actively involved with films from 1930 to 1961, and died on 17 November 1971 in Calcutta.
To read more:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Festival-tribute-to-Debaki-Bose/articleshow/40877786.cms
https://alchetron.com/Debaki-Bose-1312181-W*Miss Moti as 'Gulnar' in 1934 talkie "Vatan Parast aka Desh-Bhakt".cast-Dar kashmiri, famous singer Roshan Ara Begum, Rajkumari, Esmail etc.
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