Jagriti

The finest Hindi Film I have ever seen, which inspires people of all ages even today, though the film is produced with essentially children in mind. Its songs are particularly touching and elevating. They remind people of all ages and teach the young the history and beauty of India, its monuments, valour and sacrifices made by Indians through generations, the reverence India holds for her sacred rivers, and describes Gandhiji, through moving, melodious, and absorbing lyrics, and music, while on a journey on a train and through travels around India. The film highlights the basic cultural ethos of India, in which the young pay respects to their teachers and elders and love for others, while the teacher becomes a beackon of hope, and everlasting friendships. It teaches children to be brave in the face of hardships, and brings out the rejuvenating effect of Indian music, to motivate children towards patriotism and noble acts towards each other. A really fine movie to see by the whole family, and excellent aid for display in schools. It should become part of school curriculum in India, in all schools.

A teacher's greatness is more than that of the parents in a child's life and an ideal teacher is considered even greater than God. Why ? Because an ideal teacher is able to shape the student which is like a lump of clay, in its proper form which is desirable for his own life and desirable for the society and the world as well. A ideal teacher is called GURU because he removes the darkness in the student and fills light in his heart.

Bollywood have come up with several Hindi movies portraying the stories of ideal teachers. Nartakee (1963), Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti (1967), Imtihaan (1974), Taare Zameen Par (2007), Aarakshan (2011) etc. are certain such movies only. However perhaps the greatest of such Hindi movies is Jaagriti (1954). This black and white movie is a rare gem from the treasure of Bollywood which emphatically underscores what difference an ideal teacher can make as well as what difference an ideal friend can make in a student's life.

Jaagriti (awakening) is the story of Ajay (Rajkumar) who is a 11-12 years old boy with naughtiness reining in every particle of his personality. He is fatherless and his uncle (Bipin Gupta) is his guardian who considering his complete lack of interest in studies and his childish nuisances crossing all the limits of endurance, sends him to a boarding school. There Ajay comes into contact with Shakti (Ratan Kumar), another fatherless kid but quite contrary to Ajay in behaviour and attitude despite this fact that he is handicapped (in legs).

Ajay becomes fond of Shakti who has only his mother in the world. Shakti always instigates him to leave his nuisance-making habits and devote to the studies but Ajay pays little attention to his advices. His fondness for Shakti doesn't mitigate though. Now there comes a change in the boarding school with a new teacher being appointed as the in-charge of the boarding-house.

This new, very young, teacher - Shekhar (Abhi Bhattachaarya) is having a new vision of education and grooming of the young students for the life ahead. He does not believe in corporal punishment but believes in developing an understanding with the young ones, being friendly with them and teaching them in such a non-bookish way that they comprehend and grasp the curriculum much more as compared to the traditional way of teaching. He pays special attention to problem children and in no time, identifies Ajay as one such child. He tries his level best to transform Ajay but his efforts bear fruit only when Ajay's fast friend Shakti passes away in an accident. Now Ajay is no longer the Ajay as he used to be. Now he is a role model for the other students.

Jaagriti is a heart-conqueror right from the word 'go' to the ending scene which contains the immortal song Hum Laaye Hain Toofaan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke, Is Desh Ko Rakhna Mere Bachchon Sambhaal Ke (we have rescued the boat from the storm, take care of this nation O Kids). The whole movie is studded with touching scenes, some of them are able to bring tears to our in eyes in the most natural way. The whole milieu is realistic and the relationship between two near lonely friends as well as between an ideal teacher and his students as shown in the movie is not only desirable but also believable.

The movie underscores this eternal truth that pious things can be done provided pious intentions are there. Noble thoughts can always be turned into reality if sincerity is there in one's words and actions. An ideal teacher not just preaches, he leads by example. That's why anybody and everybody should not opt for the profession of teaching. A person with a strong moral character with sensitivity in his heart and maturity in his behaviour only should become a teacher.

A teacher carries the great responsibility of making ideal members for the society and ideal citizens for the nation. Hence first, he should follow the right path. Then only he will be able to show the right path to his students. Shekhar of Jaagriti is one such teacher only.

Jaagriti is a great movie from the viewpoint of friendship also. A sincere friend always stands by his friend but at the same time, being his true well-wisher, he shows him the right path also and cautions him against following the wrong path. Shakti of Jaagriti is one such true friend only who is able to transform his friend Ajay in the desirable manner if not in his lifetime, then after his death as after Shakti's death, Ajay takes a solemn vow to be what Shakti wanted him to be.

Jaagriti is excellent in all the aspects of filmmaking. The biggest plus point is its music. With the immortal lyrics of Kavi Pradeep, Hemant Kumar has composed unforgettable songs viz. Hum Laaye Hain Toofaan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke, Aao Bachchon Tumhen Dikhaayen Jhaanki Hindustaan Ki and De Di Hamen Aazaadi Bina Khadg Bina Dhaal. It also contains a very touching mother-kid song - Chalo Chalen Maa, Sapno Ke Gaaon Mein.

Child artists - Rajkumar in the role of Ajay and Ratan Kumar in the role of Shakti have marvelled in the movie. Abhi Bhattachaarya is perfect in the role of an ideal teacher. All others also fit the bill.

Writer Manoranjan Bose and director Satyen Bose have presented an immortal movie in the form of Jaagriti which is a text book written on celluloid regarding teaching as well as nurture of the young ones. A must for every teacher who considers his / her profession as a noble one and puts a premium on performing his / her duty with utmost sincerity. An ideal teacher may not get much tangible benefits but he gets abundant respect of his / her students which is something invaluable for him / her and enviable for others.

Jagriti (1954) : Brief Review -

Educationally, Inspirationally, Emotionally, Culturally and Patriotically The Best Children Centric Film ever made in Bollywood. Period. Among all those children centric films i remember i found 2 films on Top, one is Taare Zameen Par (2009) and 2nd is Boot Polish (1954). I never thought that any film will come in watchlist and topple these 2, though i am always ready to accept one, and here comes Jagriti. Looking at the time of it's release this film was so far ahead of its time. In year 1954 who would have thought of changing educational system in Indian schools and hostels? Had people even heard of something like this then? Was anyone really paying attention to this issue just after 7 years of Independence event? Satyen Bose was that one fella who was thinking about it and he was not just thinking but he wanted people to think the same. He made people think of it with Jagriti. Its not just about one child or two, it's about every child who has lost interest in studies because of old school teaching methods and punishment traditions. This makes Jagriti a higher classic than Boot Polish which was about 2 Childrens and Taare Zameen Par which was about one child under much updated and advanced theory borrowed from Medical and Scientific terms. Jagriti focuses on Children's interest on studies but it is also very much focused about patriotic feeling and nation's bright future. One genius teacher arrives in an ordinal hostel which is full of mischievous kids and changes all the traditional methods. He makes them love the books, he makes them love everything which is around them, he makes them interested to know about everything happening in the country but that one Child is born-naughty and cross brain so he takes little more time to understand it but he had to go though an emotional dispatch. The writing and screenplay is so well written and has so many inspirational things which should stay for long-term. If Bollywood is still making a film on the same topic after 5 decades then you can understand how long-term is defined and how long it will be continued. All the kids bring naughty-ness and laughters with thier natural acts done unknowingly. Abhi Bhattacharya portyas a Loveable and unforgettable teacher perfectly. Music is meaningful and thoughtful. Lyrics are outstanding. 'Aao Bacche Tumhe Dikhaye', 'Sabarmati Ke Sant', 'Chalo Chale Maa' and 'Desh Sambhal Ke' in the end every song is a perfect combination of situational lyrics, suitable Music and inspiring touch. Satyen Bose made a Masterpiece far ahead of it's time which is a Must Watch for everyone. This film is inspiring even after 6 decades and will have timeless impact, no matter what's your age you will surely connect to it.

RATING - 9/10*

By - #samthebestest

This is the best movie made on kids. The script, songs, and the hostel life as shown in the movie is so very charming..having passed from the school some 18 years back, I felt like again getting admitted to school. The makers of this movie have done wonders. Songs written by Kavi Pradeep. sung by none other than Mohammad Rafi is a class apart. This film is recommended for children and their parents equally. No match you'll find for this one in the modern era films. The way Shekhar reforms the stubborn child, and even the teaching techniques, are awesome. I remember having seen this movie on Doordarshan when I was about 10 years of age. After that with so many movie channels available nowadays, there is dearth of movies like this.