Revisiting Umrao Jaan: Why Rekha's musical still resonates with audiences today
'Umrao Jaan', based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel 'Umrao Jaan Ada', blends realism with poetic storytelling. The film captivates audiences with its music and aesthetics, like a painting exploring all aspects of art. The movie convincingly portrays how the dark past and overwhelming pain of the protagonist doesn't fade her soulful beauty.'Umrao Jaan' neither goes too dark nor too flashy while showing the lives of 19th-century courtesans. However, the heartbreak, social stigma, treachery and greed have been amicably portrayed in the film. Amid all the chaos and unpredictable lives of women, the human connection and empathy among all characters resonates with viewers.Rekha's Umrao, aka Amiran, is a poet at heart, who finds solace in poetry and music even in her misery. Her poetic yearning amid tragedy is a metaphorical testament to her resilience and compassion despite grief and uncertainty. Umrao's relationship with Nawab Sultan (Farooq Shaikh) and her brief yet intense bond with Faiz Ali (Raj Babbar) shows her ability to love and be compassionate irrespective of tragedies.advertisementGohar Mirza (Naseeruddin Shah), Khanum Jaan (Shaukat Kaifi), Husseini (Dina Pathak) and Maulvi Saheb (Gajanan Jagirdar) never lose their human element in the dark world governed by greed. The shades of grey in Mirza, Khanum and Husseini characters are integral to the story's progression rather than glorifying misery or cruelty. Rekha's charm as soul of 'Umrao Jaan'Rekha carries the weight of the film on her shoulders while staying fully committed to the titular character. Her ability to convey emotions without any words showcases her dedication to the craft. The unspoken pain of Umrao, linked to her silence and eyes, gives a vivid image of her inner turmoil.The actor's on-screen chemistry with Shaikh and other co-actors reflects on her efforts to internalise the psyche of the protagonist. Farooq Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar, Shaukat Kaifi, Dina Pathak and Gajanan Jagirdar do a commendable job as the supporting cast. Their screen presence and acting prowess elevate the emotional journey of Umrao and her character transformation.Muzaffar Ali's soulful directionAli's direction never loses pace throughout the film. The two-hour, 41-minute movie keeps the audience thoroughly engaged as it never loses its heart. As the story moves forward, one feels completely invested in Umrao's journey. While the uncertainty and grim realities about the courtesan's life don't make for a fairytale, the audiences root for the protagonist to have closure.advertisementThe filmmaker hits the bull's eye by integrating poetry through captivating visuals. Khayyam's music and Shahryar's lyrics play a crucial role in reinforcing the lyrical and tragic elements to the story. Ali's use of music as part of the narrative gives an edge to the character's aspirations, inner conflict, relationships and despair.The depiction of Umrao as a passionate lover, soulful poet, forgiving sister and compassionate human adds to the universal theme of the story, making it resonant across decades. The film touches upon every emotion and initiates conversations around relationships and hard-hitting social realities around women's agency and empowerment.
Actor Rekha's 'Umrao Jaan' was re-released on June 27. (Credit: Instagram/pvrcinemas_official)
An ode to classical music'Umrao Jaan' honours classical Indian music. The evergreen 'Dil cheez kya hai' based on Rag Yaman as well as the melodious 'In ankhon ki masti me', based on Rag Bhairavi is a tribute to Hindustani music's rich legacy. The film's usage of ghazals in order to stay true to Umrao's poetic spirit, brings out the sophistication of India's musical heritage.advertisementWhile the West takes pride in its music, the musical legacy of India, especially in classic Hindi films, did not get the necessary promotion. However, in the present-day digital age and globalisation of cinema, 'Umrao Jaan' has the potential to resonate with modern-day audiences.'Umrao Jaan' resonates with cinema-goers even today as it conveys human emotions and relationships through the lens of a courtesan. The 19th century social realities of India narrated in the film also introduce views across various generations to the historical advancement of society and cinema.Irrespective of the time period, 'Umrao Jaan' remains a timeless masterpiece which is relevant to students of cinema.- Ends
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