Cinema
The Court Dancer
রাজনর্তকী
Modhu Bose · 1941
Synopsis
In Manipur, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Prince Chandrakirti, who is to be crowned in a month, loves Indrani, the court's new dancer, and wants to marry her despite the disapproval of King Jaisingh. Scorned for her low station, Indrani is refused entry to the town's temple and finds refuge in a ruined temple open to all, while the prince is pressed to marry the princess of a neighbouring country to seal the peace.
Context
Produced by J. B. H. Wadia's Wadia Movietone, the film was shot simultaneously in English, Bengali and Hindi, from a screenplay by Manmatha Ray and the director, with music by Timir Baran. Sadhona Bose, trained in kathak and manipuri, dances mainly the latter; Prithviraj Kapoor plays the prince. Columbia distributed it in Europe and the United States, and its three versions allowed it to cover its costs.
Who it is for
About an hour and a half for the English version, with no French release; the dance counts as much as the plot.
Prizes and reception
Presented as the first English-language film made in India by an entirely Indian crew; it established the reputation of its producer.
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