Dance of the Wind
Encyclopedia
Swara Mandal or Dance of the Wind is an 1997 Hindi
film written and directed by Rajan Khosa
, it was the feature film debut of the director. It starred Kitu Gidwani
and Bhaveen Gosain in lead roles. The film was a co-production between five countries, including UK, Germany and India.
), a budding Indian classical
singer, is the daughter and student of celebrated classical singer, Karuna Devi (Kapila Vatsyayan
). While she was still gaining her confidence, her mother expires suddenly; due this shock Pallavi not just her bearings but also her voice, subsequently she also loses her career, her students, and her husband (Bhaveen Gosain).
It is only after she meets a young street urchin, Tara (Roshan Bano) and start teaching her, following the guru-shishya parampara
(Master-student tradition) of Indian classical music
, as her mother once did with her, does she begin to finds herself again, and also her voice.
, Shubha Mudgal
composed the music, while playback was given by 'Shweta Jhaveri', Shanti Hirannand, and Brinda Roy Choudhuri. Other noted artists, who worked on soundtrack were, Sarangi
performer, Ustad Sultan Khan
, and noted flautist, Ronu Majumdar
, and the film went on to win the 'Gold Plaque for Music' at the 1998 Chicago International Film Festival
.
, and became India's official entry at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
, Melbourne International Film Festival
, Jerusalem Film Festival
and International Film Festival of India
(IFFI) in 1998. The film went on to win several national and international awards in the following years, as it was theatrically released in twenty five countries in 1998-2001 However, it was commercially released in India, only in February 2008.
Channel 4
reviewed the film as, "A celebration of the classical singing tradition set in contemporary New Delhi, Rajan Khosa's film captures the beauty of ancient Indian music and the culture from which it emanates."
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
film written and directed by Rajan Khosa
Rajan Khosa
Rajan Khosa is an Indian writer-director-producer who has worked between the UK, Europe and India for the last decade.His most noted film, Dance of the Wind , starring Kitu Gidwani in the lead role, won many national and International film awards, including Audience Award London Film Festival 1997,...
, it was the feature film debut of the director. It starred Kitu Gidwani
Kitu Gidwani
Kitu Gidwani is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in some movies as well as serials in Indian television. She became popular after a TV series, Air Hostess aired on Doordarshan in 1986, and received critical acclaimed for her roles in Dance of the Wind , Deepa Mehta's Earth , Govind...
and Bhaveen Gosain in lead roles. The film was a co-production between five countries, including UK, Germany and India.
Synopsis
Pallavi (Kitu GidwaniKitu Gidwani
Kitu Gidwani is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in some movies as well as serials in Indian television. She became popular after a TV series, Air Hostess aired on Doordarshan in 1986, and received critical acclaimed for her roles in Dance of the Wind , Deepa Mehta's Earth , Govind...
), a budding Indian classical
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
singer, is the daughter and student of celebrated classical singer, Karuna Devi (Kapila Vatsyayan
Kapila Vatsyayan
Kapila Vatsyayan is a leading Indian scholar of classical Indian dance and Indian art and architecture.Vatsyayan received her M.A. from the University of Michigan and Ph.D. from the Banaras Hindu University. She is the author of many books including The Square and the Circle of Indian Arts,...
). While she was still gaining her confidence, her mother expires suddenly; due this shock Pallavi not just her bearings but also her voice, subsequently she also loses her career, her students, and her husband (Bhaveen Gosain).
It is only after she meets a young street urchin, Tara (Roshan Bano) and start teaching her, following the guru-shishya parampara
Guru-shishya tradition
The guru-shishya tradition, lineage, or parampara, denotes a succession of teachers and disciples in traditional Indian culture and religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. It is the tradition of spiritual relationship and mentoring where teachings are transmitted from a guru...
(Master-student tradition) of Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
, as her mother once did with her, does she begin to finds herself again, and also her voice.
Soundtrack
Noted Hindustani classicalsingerHindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
, Shubha Mudgal
Shubha Mudgal
Shubha Mudgal is a well-known Indian singer of Hindustani classical music, Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, and popular Indian Pop music.She has been awarded the 1996 National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Music Direction for 'Amrit Beej', the 1998 Gold Plaque Award for Special Achievement in Music,...
composed the music, while playback was given by 'Shweta Jhaveri', Shanti Hirannand, and Brinda Roy Choudhuri. Other noted artists, who worked on soundtrack were, Sarangi
Sarangi
The Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked string instrument of India which is originated from Rajasthani folk instruments. It plays an important role in India's Hindustani classical music tradition...
performer, Ustad Sultan Khan
Ustad Sultan Khan
Ustad Sultan Khan was an Indian sarangi player and singer who performed Hindustani classical music. He was one of the members of the Indian fusion group Tabla Beat Science, with Zakir Hussain and Bill Laswell...
, and noted flautist, Ronu Majumdar
Ronu Majumdar
Ronu Majumdar is a noted Indian flautist in the Hindustani Classical Music tradition.-Early life and training:Born in Varanasi on June 22, 1963, Ranendranath Majumdar, popularly known as Ronu was trained under his father, Dr. Bhanu Majumdar, and later learned vocal music with the late Pt. Laxman...
, and the film went on to win the 'Gold Plaque for Music' at the 1998 Chicago International Film Festival
Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
.
Reception
The film was premiered at the Critics' Week, at 1997 Venice Film FestivalVenice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
, and became India's official entry at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary , Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival gained worldwide recognition over the past years and has become one of Europe's major film events....
, Melbourne International Film Festival
Melbourne International Film Festival
The Melbourne International Film Festival is an acclaimed annual film festival held over three weeks in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1951, making it one of the oldest in the World....
, Jerusalem Film Festival
Jerusalem Film Festival
The Jerusalem Film Festival is an international film festival held annually in Jerusalem, Israel. The festival was the brainchild of Lia van Leer, who inaugurated it on May 17, 1984...
and International Film Festival of India
International Film Festival of India
The International Film Festival of India , founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually in the beach town of Goa, in the Western Coast of the country, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of...
(IFFI) in 1998. The film went on to win several national and international awards in the following years, as it was theatrically released in twenty five countries in 1998-2001 However, it was commercially released in India, only in February 2008.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
reviewed the film as, "A celebration of the classical singing tradition set in contemporary New Delhi, Rajan Khosa's film captures the beauty of ancient Indian music and the culture from which it emanates."
Awards
- 1997: London Film FestivalLondon Film FestivalThe BFI London Film Festival is the UK's largest public film event, screening more than 300 features, documentaries and shorts from almost 50 countries. The festival, , currently in its 54th year, is run every year in the second half of October under the umbrella of the British Film Institute...
: Audience Award - 1997: Festival of Three ContinentsThree Continents FestivalThe Festival of the Three Continents is an annual film festival held since 1979 in Nantes, France, and is devoted to the cinemas of Asia, and Africa and Latin America. It was founded by Philippe and Alain Jalladeau. The top award in the festival's competition is the balloon shaped Golden...
: Audience Award. - 1997: Festival of Three ContinentsThree Continents FestivalThe Festival of the Three Continents is an annual film festival held since 1979 in Nantes, France, and is devoted to the cinemas of Asia, and Africa and Latin America. It was founded by Philippe and Alain Jalladeau. The top award in the festival's competition is the balloon shaped Golden...
: Best Actress: Kitu GidwaniKitu GidwaniKitu Gidwani is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in some movies as well as serials in Indian television. She became popular after a TV series, Air Hostess aired on Doordarshan in 1986, and received critical acclaimed for her roles in Dance of the Wind , Deepa Mehta's Earth , Govind... - 1998: Chicago International Film FestivalChicago International Film FestivalThe Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
: Gold Plaque, Best Music: Rajan KhosaRajan KhosaRajan Khosa is an Indian writer-director-producer who has worked between the UK, Europe and India for the last decade.His most noted film, Dance of the Wind , starring Kitu Gidwani in the lead role, won many national and International film awards, including Audience Award London Film Festival 1997,... - 1998: International Film Festival RotterdamInternational Film Festival RotterdamThe International Film Festival Rotterdam is an annual film festival held in various cinemas in Rotterdam, Netherlands held at the end of January. It is approximately comparable in size to other major European festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Locarno...
: Netpac Award - 1998: British Asian Film Festival: Best Director: Rajan KhosaRajan KhosaRajan Khosa is an Indian writer-director-producer who has worked between the UK, Europe and India for the last decade.His most noted film, Dance of the Wind , starring Kitu Gidwani in the lead role, won many national and International film awards, including Audience Award London Film Festival 1997,...
Cast
- Kitu GidwaniKitu GidwaniKitu Gidwani is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in some movies as well as serials in Indian television. She became popular after a TV series, Air Hostess aired on Doordarshan in 1986, and received critical acclaimed for her roles in Dance of the Wind , Deepa Mehta's Earth , Govind...
- Pallavi Sehgal - Bhaveen Gossain - Ranmal
- B.C. Sanyal - Munir Baba
- Roshan Bano - Tara
- Kapila VatsyayanKapila VatsyayanKapila Vatsyayan is a leading Indian scholar of classical Indian dance and Indian art and architecture.Vatsyayan received her M.A. from the University of Michigan and Ph.D. from the Banaras Hindu University. She is the author of many books including The Square and the Circle of Indian Arts,...
- Karuna Devi - Vinod Nagpal - Mr Thakkar
- Punamava Mehta - Shabda
- Ami Arora - Janaki
- Bhunvar Lal - Trader at the Market
- Ibrahim Ahmed - Monkey Man