Umrao Jaan

Review By Kamal K

Ultimate creation of Muzzafar Ali Saheb. Fantastic picturization of lucknow during 1840s. Composition of Khayyam Saheb along with lyrics of shehayar makes this movie unforgettable.....we are very fortunate that we are having such kind of film in our bollywood bucket.

I saw it again, after 25 years! I think it is one of the best movies (Indian or otherwise), at par with any famed-Satyajit Ray. It should NOT be even compared with the new Umrao Jaan. The problem is that it is so good that Muzaffar Ali (the producer from Lucknow where most of the movie unfolds) perhaps cannot make a better movie all his life.

The film is very restrained, and therefore, a believable story of a Lucknow tawa-if (courtesan, geisha). There are no brave heroes (all flee 1857 Sepoy Mutiny against the English), the robber Faiz Ali dies in an unheroic escape. Owner of house of tawaifs, Madam Khanum, is selfish and exploitative. Nawab Sultan, one of the first clients of Umrao, sees Umarao what she is - a tawaif and abandons her with no compunctions to marry into the wealthy family of her cousin; others hurl insults at Umrao. There is a thin line (if any) between a tawaif and a prostitute/hooker - Umrao sleeps with Nawab Sultan as a matter of routine, and then with the robber Faiz Ali.

Urdu poetry (ghazal) is shown to be pervasive in the lives of tawaifs and all around her. The dialogs are in lyrical, delicate and local Urdu, difficult to be appreciated in translation. Acting is superb by all. Songs and Indian Kathak dances (minus one by Nawab Sultan) are mostly in context.

Good movies like good books can enrich and teach. Most Indian movies are trash, fantastic escape from reality but not old Umrao Jaan. You could see Lucknow of a bygone era. Sample these:

• pigeon flight contests (or kabootar baazi, a flock breaking pigeons mid flight from a rival flock) - Indian hop scotch (ikkal dukkal) - the earthen stove (or choolha) - the custom of eating with hands in the kitchen on the floor near choolha - the custom of offering for a saint's shrine (nazar at durgaah) - the custom of arranged marriage between Muslim cousins - the custom of purdah, - the custom of eating betel leaf (or paans) and hookah smoking - the tradition of sellers of bangles and shawls coming home - the incompetent and indolent nawabs who would sell part of the estate for a courtesan

See it if you have not yet; see it again if you have once. Technically, the photography is not as high quality as now - but then in 25 years movie cameras have improved a lot.

Though 'Umrao Jaan' has been re-brought to screen just last year. Muzaffar Ali's adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa's novel remains the most memorable. Ali does not exaggerate with lavish set designs and his adaptation is of a rather lower budget. He gracefully shows us Umrao mastering the art of poetry and dance. The songs are beautiful and poetry is itself a character in Umrao's life, like a traveling companion. In some of the songs we are shown flashes of old elegant paintings, old fashioned settings and what Lucknow may have looked like. takes us back in time to what the late 1800s may have resembled.

The performances are subtle except of Khanum Jaan's character. Muzaffar really Farooq Sheikh is brilliant as the young naïve prince and Nasseeruddin Shah is superb as Gohar Mirza. Shaukat Kaifi and Dina Pathak are adequate. Prema Narayan is decent.

However, Umrao Jaan clearly belongs to Rekha. With subtlety and grace she underplays her part. There is no melodrama or unnecessary loudness and this allows us to really feel for Umrao. We see that Ramdei, who was kidnapped like her but sold to slavery, has now become a happy wife of a Nawab. We see her friend and fellow dancer Bismillah finding happiness in her life. Finally we see Umrao moving along the path of life: trying to forget the past, trying to find happiness and love or trying to escape from it all. She manages to independently make a living reciting poetry, ghazals and dancing but though people yearn to hear her sing and watch her dance, they refuse to give her the respect of a 'decent' woman. As we see Umrao travelling through life trying to find her own place, in the end she returns to that very place (now abandoned) picking up from where she left as she has no place else to go. She looks in the mirror that reflects her destiny

Umrao Jaan - Beauty, grace, class and that "something" called 'ada', blend it with memorable poetry, soul stirring vocals, lilting music, detailed art direction, classical choreography, memorable and rich costume design, sensitive direction, lucid screenplay and brilliant performances, and of course the magic called Rekha.

Too many good things to list? Well these are all there in the immensely memorable Umrao Jaan. The whole film is like a beautiful poem being unveiled on screen. It is about a renowned 19th century female artist who achieved the pinnacle of glamour and fame, and yet remained deserted by her loved one's. It is also the story in a widely acclaimed Urdu novel of the same name.

The film is rich in several departments. Performances, set design, costume design, music, vocals and an eye for detail. Authentic hookahs, hand spun rich brocades and Jadau jewellery celebrate the artistry of Lucknow craftsmen in the most authentic and beautiful manner. The dances are classy and it remains screen diva Rekha's most treasured performance. She brings the character alive in classy fashion. The film celebrates the various arts it's maker Muzzafar Ali is a patron of, it's a harmonious amalgamation of all his interests and that reflects very well on screen.

My Rating : 9/10

Hauntingly beautiful songs. A dream role for Rekha. This won her the National Award for Best Actress. 'Umrao Jaan' is poetry on screen and director Muzaffar Ali weaves a delicate yet sad tale of a 19th Century courtesan who, much like Rekha in her real life, has to deal with unrequited love.

The cinematography is extremely striking and every frame is lavish with glamorous costumes and intricate, sparkling jewellery.

'Umrao Jaan' is a classic - a poetic memoir of love and loss and the yearning for a happily ever after that never seems to come.