Cinema
Tansen
तानसेन
Jayant Desai · 1943
Synopsis
Tansen, an orphan raised by his uncle, leaves to learn music from a master and returns to the village years later. There he loves Tani, a shepherdess regarded as a gifted singer; when she saves an elephant, he tames it with his song, which draws the attention of the raja of Rewa, then of the emperor Akbar. Summoned to court and separated from Tani, he must sing the Deepak mode, reputed to kindle fire, to cure the emperor's daughter.
Context
Produced by Ranjit Movietone, the film shows, after the credits, its director in person, surrounded by his cameras; K. L. Saigal plays the title role opposite Khursheed. The music is by Khemchand Prakash, to words by D. N. Madhok and Pandit Indra; its thirteen songs, including Diya jalao and Baraso re, were great successes. One of them was composed, without credit, by Bulo C. Rani.
Who it is for
Two hours in Hindi, with no French release; music commands the world in it, according to the legends of the classical music of the north.
Prizes and reception
The second biggest Indian hit of 1943; one of the best-known films of the end of Saigal's career and Khursheed's most famous role.
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