Geet Gaaya Pattharon Ne

V. Shantaram was foremost an artist, then a film-maker. He was an admirer of bright and vibrant colors which he matched it with classiest choreography and photography. He was a film-Maker, who brought out the immense cultural diversity to the screen. "Geet Gaya Pattharrone" is a classic in Indian movies, that few have heard of. The movie, starred his daughter Rajshree, whose life in films was cut short by matrimony and she moved abroad after couple of more movies. One of them with Raj Kapoor called "Around The World". This movie was a debut for Jitendra, in a role that looked like he was on sedative! as compared to his later movies where he was the "jumping jack!" of Indian movies. Rajshree, was more a great dancer (born to dance)than an actress. The title song with the background of a beautiful melody and dance is a treat for the senses. There are some enchanting melodies so much so the movie DVD must be a treasure to own. This movie certainly was an embodiment of the dedication that the old filmmakers had towards their craft and the cast was selected based on talent. Rajshree, single-handedly opened the Indian fashion to the Western World. She was one of the classiest actress of the times and one has to see the movie to appreciate it. This is one of the best movies from the venerable V. Shantaram, the other being "Janak Janak Payal Bhaje."

Geet Gaaya Pattharonne is a surprisingly erudite, very often elegant and interesting film from director Shantaram, also the best I've seen from him so far although not perfect. Some of the lesser films he directed aren't listed on IMDb, so take my word for it he could be very hit or miss.

I can't better the IMDb plot summaries supplied for it – the main plot is man becomes infatuated with woman, takes up sculpting in her honour, however her family has other ideas on the man she will marry. It's a simple tale not quite as straightforward as that but colourfully told, well photographed and with some lovely songs and dancing along the way. And drama! The title song refers to the metaphorical songs statues are singing to the lovers – poetically sung by Asha and Mahendra Kapoor to some deft imagery and is my favourite bit in the film. Vidya is played by Shantaram's daughter Rajshree, who was definitely photogenic and who had some extraordinary close-ups in here, usually in the middle of songs.

Although he may have been lucky with the music I was surprised how much I enjoyed this, silliness, melodrama and all - maybe it's time I reappraised Shantaram.