| Sound of Heaven: The Story of Balgandharva | |
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| Directed by | Ravindra Harishchandra Jadhav |
| Produced by | Nitin Chandrakant Desai |
| Written by | Abhiram Bhadkamkar |
| Starring | Subodh Bhave Vibhavari Deshpande Kishor Kadam Avinash Narkar |
| Music by | Kaushal Inamdar |
| Cinematography | Mahesh Limaye |
| Editing by | Prashant Khedekar |
| Distributed by | Shringar Films |
| Release date(s) | 6 May 2011 |
| Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Marathi |
| Budget | 70,000,000 [1] |
Balgandharva (Marathi: बालगंधर्व)) is a biographical Marathi film on one of the greatest Marathi singers and stage actors Narayan Shripad Rajhans, famously known as Balgandharva (Bal=child + Gandharva=Singer of Heaven).[2] The name was bestowed to Narayan by Lokmanya Tilak after listening to his public performance in Pune while he was very young.
The film is directed by Ravindra Jadhav,[3] whose debutant film Natarang won critical acclaims as well as good box office report. The film is produced by Nitin Chandrakant Desai, the National Award winning Art Director under the banner of Iconic Chandrakant Productions Pvt. Ltd.[4][5]
The film was declared "Super Hit" at the box-office.[6]
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The film is a biopic on life on Balgandharva showing his struggles through poverty to riches and fame. Narayan Rajhans while in a public performance of his singing at Pune receives his new honour and name "Balgandharva". On advise of Shahu Maharaj, the king of Kolhapur state, he starts his formal training and joins Kirloskar Natak Mandali. Narayan wins claps of his audiences and becomes the key performer of all Sangeet Nataks. To please his insistant mother Narayan marries Laxmi. On the opening day (March 12, 1911) of his play Sangeet Manapamaan, his daughter passed away. But he went ahead with the performance and enthralled the audience. Due to disputes in the company Narayan decides to start his own company named Gandharva Sangeet Mandali. Fully devoting himself towards his passion of drama and singing he overlooks his family. Giving audience's satisfaction key priority he starts spending money without any considerations. He looses many of his friends because of his such attitude. He blindly believes in Balasaheb Pandit, who keeps his company's accounts. Narayan's carefree nature results in his bankruptcy. Meeting Gohar Bai, who is his fan, he falls in love with her and leaves his wife and family. With his old age, he also looses the charm of holding audiences. When cinema is introduced, theatre shows fail to grab audiences. Balgandharva also signs contract with V. Shantaram's Prabhat Film Company to act in films. Money in films would also reduce his economic burden. But he never likes the methodologies of film production and abandons it after only one film where he plays the lead role of Sant Eknath. Looking at his poverty many Royalties pay him honorary amounts in order to repay his debts. But he donates this money in other charities.
The mahurat shot of the film was done at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Pune; the place whose foundation stone was laid by Balgandharva. As the story is based in early 20th century Maharashtra, renowned historian Babasaheb Purandare, famous theatre actress of the yesteryears, Jaimala Shiledar along with Kirti Shiledar and Dr. Jaisingrao Pawar helped in consulting for the production. Multiple National Award winning costume designer Neeta Lulla designed the costumes and jewellery of the characters to recreate the era.
The film premiered in Mumbai on 4 May, 2011 and on 5th May in Pune. It then release all around Maharashtra on 6 May.[7]
The film was screened at many film festivals around the globe, starting from the New York Indian Film Festival on May 8, 2011.[7] Subsequently it was also screened at the Cannes and Venice festivals.[8]
| Sound of Heaven: The Story of Balgandharva | |
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| Soundtrack album by Kaushal Inamdar | |
| Released | 25 April 2011[9] |
| Recorded | 2010-2011 Yash Raj Studio |
| Genre | Natya Sangeet, Feature film soundtrack |
| Label | Saregama |
The soundtrack of the film comprises of 21 songs of which 16 feature in the film. The soundtrack was released on 25 April, 2011 at a ceremony held at Rang Sharada Auditorium, Bandra.
Kaushal Inamdar is the music director of the film. To recreate the magic of Gandharva Music, the team invited Christine Howes, a famous Jazz Violinist to conduct the strings for "Nahi Me Bolat Natha", a legendary song of Bal Gandharva.[10] The entire strings section was recorded by remote by Kaushal Inamdar from US and Spain. This is the first time the Marathi cinema has used a western artiste. Anand Bhate, also known as "Anand Gandharva", a Hindustani classical vocalist from Kirana Gharana has lent his voice for all songs for the lead character.[11] Swanand Kirkire, the popular Hindi film lyricist known for his songs of Parineeta, 3 Idiots and Lage Raho Munna Bhai has penned lyrics of "Parvardigar", a qawwali and "Aaj Mhare Ghar Pavana", a bhajan.[12]
The music was mixed in Yash Raj Studio and mastered in London. The music is released by Saregama.[9] Following is the list of the tracks.[13]
| Track # | Title | Singers | Lyrics | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aaj Mhare Ghar Pavana" | Bela Shende | Swanand Kirkire | |
| 2 | "Chinmaya Sakal Hridaya" | Anand Bhate | Govind Ballal Deval | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar |
| 3 | "Parvardigar" | Shankar Mahadevan, Anand Bhate & chorus | Swanand Kirkire [9] | |
| 4 | "Kashi Ya Tyaju Padala" | Anand Bhate | V C Gurjar | Original music by Bai Sundarabai Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Ekach Pyala |
| 5 | "Mharata Ituka Na Avaghe Paunshe Vayaman" | Rishikesh Kamerkar, Shrirang Bhave | Govind Ballal Deval | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Sharada |
| 6 | "Nahi Mi Bolat Natha" | Anand Bhate, Madhura Kumbhar | Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar | Original music by Govindrao Tembe Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar and Christine Howes Originally featured in Sangeet Manapamaan |
| 7 | "Nesali Pitambar Jari" | Asha Khadilkar | Original music by Bai Sundarabai Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar |
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| 8 | "Panchatund Nararundmaladhar" | Anand Bhate and chorus | Annasaheb Kirloskar | Original music by Annasaheb Kirloskar Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar |
| 9 | "Pariyeva Ke Payal Sajani" | Aarya Ambekar | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar | |
| 10 | "Ravi Mi" | Rahul Deshpande | Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar | Original music by Govindrao Tembe Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Manapamaan |
| 11 | "Vad Jau Kunala Sharan" | Anand Bhate | Annasaheb Kirloskar | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Saubhadra |
| 12 | "Aga Vaikunthichya Raya" | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar | ||
| 13 | "Bhav Tochi Dev" | Anand Bhate | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar | |
| 14 | "Dhana Rashi Jaata" | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar | ||
| 15 | "Khara Toh Prema" | Anand Bhate | Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar | Original music by Govindrao Tembe Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Manapamaan |
| 16 | "Mala Madan Bhase Ha" | Anand Bhate | Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar | Original music by Govindrao Tembe Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Manapamaan |
| 17 | "Naman Natavara" | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar | ||
| 18 | "Naravara Krishna Saman" | Anand Bhate | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Swayamwar |
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| 19 | "Naath Ha Maazha" | Anand Bhate | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Swayamwar |
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| 20 | "Nayane Lajaveet" | Anand Bhate | Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar | Original music by Govindrao Tembe Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar Originally featured in Sangeet Manapamaan |
| 21 | "Saki Kamda Dindi" | Music recreated by Kaushal Inamdar |