While this directorial debut from Ismail Merchent leaves most westerners cold and thinking this movie to be about the dying language of Urdu its a actually the study of two characters who put their love of art above everything else and their smoldering passion is captured perfectly.
Important here is to note that while the subject chosen has been Urdu poetry it could have been replaced as easily by say Indian classical music and the movie would have worked just as well. Merchent tries to capture the situation of the artist and his ardent followers juxtaposing the touching sincerity of Om Puri with that of the the poet Nurs(played by Shashi Kapoor) bunch of sycophants. The film contains many local nuances which may be missed by non Indian audiences which is what makes this work a true labor of love as Merchent never tries to simplify the context or the complexity of the characterization.
Great script, wonderful overall performances by the actors and a movie that truly enlarges ones world view! I am reminded of Milan Kunderas quote about Pargue -that the city is disappearing like a poem written on piece of burning paper. Merchent captures remnants of that disappearing poetry and the movie is like a slow burn on celluloid!
Important here is to note that while the subject chosen has been Urdu poetry it could have been replaced as easily by say Indian classical music and the movie would have worked just as well. Merchent tries to capture the situation of the artist and his ardent followers juxtaposing the touching sincerity of Om Puri with that of the the poet Nurs(played by Shashi Kapoor) bunch of sycophants. The film contains many local nuances which may be missed by non Indian audiences which is what makes this work a true labor of love as Merchent never tries to simplify the context or the complexity of the characterization.
Great script, wonderful overall performances by the actors and a movie that truly enlarges ones world view! I am reminded of Milan Kunderas quote about Pargue -that the city is disappearing like a poem written on piece of burning paper. Merchent captures remnants of that disappearing poetry and the movie is like a slow burn on celluloid!