Utsav
File:UTSAV.jpg Movie poster
Directed by	Girish Karnad
Produced by	Shashi Kapoor
Written by	Krishna Basrur, Girish Karnad (Screenplay) Sharad Joshi (Dialogue)
Starring	Rekha Amjad Khan Shashi Kapoor Shekhar Suman
Music by	Laxmikant Pyarelal
Cinematography	Ashok Mehta
Editing by	Bhaudas Divakar
Release date(s)	23 August 1984
Running time	145 min
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Utsav (Hindi: उत्सव; English: The Festival) is a 1984 Hindi film, produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Girish Karnad.

The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Rekha, Amjad Khan, Anuradha Patel, Shekhar Suman, Anupam Kher, Shankar Nag, Neena Gupta, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Annu Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor.

The role played by Shashi Kapoor, who is also the producer of this movie, was originally to be played by Amitabh Bachchan. However, Bachchan later declined and therefore the producer himself decided to step up to fill in. The film's music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal and is still noted for its songs like, 'Man Kyun Behka', a rare duet by Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar, and Anuradha Paudwal's 'Mere Man Baje Mridang' for which she won the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award in 1985. Suresh Wadkar also has a song, 'Saanj Dhale Gagan Tale'.

Overview[link]

The film is an adaptation of two classical Sanskrit plays- Charudatta by Bhāsa, and its later adaptation in 6 Century A.D. , Mrichakatika by Śhudraka. The story is about a courtesan, Vasantasena (Rekha), and her chance meeting with a poor man, Charudatta (Shekhar Suman), in Ujjain.

Cast[link]

• Shashi Kapoor....Samsthanak
• Rekha....Vasantsena
• Amjad Khan....Vaatsyayan, author of Kamasutra; narrator
• Shankar Nag .... Sajjal, the thief
• Kulbhushan Kharbanda .... Teacher of Aryak
• Shekhar Suman....Charudutt
• Neena Gupta .... Madanika, courtesan slave in Vasantsena's house
• Anuradha Patel .... Aditi, Charudutt's Wife
• Anupam Kher .... Samsthanak's friend
• Annu Kapoor .... Masseur who is trying to be an ascetic
• Sanjana Kapoor .... A courtesan slave in Vasantsena's house
• Kunal Kapoor .... Aryak, the revolutionary.
• Harish Patel .... Maitreya, Charudutt's friend.
• Yunus Parvez .... One of the gamblers, who later becomes the owner of the masseur
• Satish Kaushik....Cart driver

Soundtracks[link]

Awards[link]

• 1985 National Film Award for Best Art Direction: Nachiket Patwardhan, Jayoo Patwardhan
• 1985 Filmfare Best Lyricist Award: Vasant Dev - "Mann Kyun Behka"
• 1985 Filmfare Best Female Playback Award: Anuradha Paudwal - "Mere Man Baje Mridang"

External links[link]

• Utsav at the Internet Movie Database
• A study of film Utsav

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Utsav Lal (born 18 August 1992) is a concert pianist from India.

Career[link]

Lal gave his debut solo piano concert in New Delhi, India at the age of 9 with a unique repertoire of Indian Music compositions. Currently based in Dublin, Ireland and oft referred to as a child prodigy,^[1] Utsav is a Western Classical Pianist (ATCL Diploma & Grade 8 from Trinity Guildhall), London as well as a Jazz pianist. Feb 2010 ,Utsav Lal was officially recognised as a "Young Steinway Artist" and named on the worldwide artist roster of leading piano makers, Steinway & Sons.

Utsav’s strong Indian roots drew him to the Power of Ragas and led him to be one of the first Indian musician's to experiment with Indian Classical Music on Piano. Utsav’s creative expression of Moods and Emotions of different Ragas^[2] in the soulful sound of the piano has been critically acclaimed^[3] and his recreation of Indian film compositions on piano have held enraptured audiences. Utsav's Raga Piano Music has earned him the name of the [Raga Pianist].^[4] At the age of 16, India’s leading record label Times Music released Utsav’s debut Indian Classical Ragas Piano Album^[5] titled "Piano Moods of Indian Ragas"(Sept 2008).

Featured in the Limca Book of Records, 2007 at 14 yrs of age and the youngest award winner^[6] of Ireland’s Metro Éireann Media & Multicultural MAMA Awards 2008^[7] for championing Multiculturalism , Utsav has performed over 100 piano concerts at prestigious venues all over India and internationally. In the recent years at the major cities in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore,^[8][9] Chennai, Cochin,^[10] Gurgaon, Jullundhar, Ludhiana, in UK ( Leeds, Wolverhampton, London, Manchester), Ireland (Dublin, Cork,^[11] Limerick, Galway) and at Singapore, Germany ^[12] & Sweden.^[13]

Spellbinding original compositions based on Indian Classical Ragas have endeared Utsav to music lovers of different nationalities and creeds. Utsav Lal, as a young artist has supported various charities & events with his concerts like the National Association for Blind, Spastics Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation , World Mercy Fund,^[14] Bridge Foundation Kolkata, Telethon People in Need, Rotary Club at Chennai, World Refugee Day, World Harmony Run-Ireland Chapter,^[15] Doras Luimni etc. Utsav has been associated with [Daniel Pearl Music Foundation] [1] and has supported the Daniel Pearl World Music days both in 2008 & 2009 with his music talent.^[16]

He is currently also member of the Irish band 'Little Green Cars'^[17] who have performed at major Irish music venues and 'Electric Picnic-2007' festival in Ireland.

In 2008, Utsav was India’s cultural ambassador & presented ‘Ragas on Piano’ concert for [Asia on the Edge Festival in Singapore^[18]] (Dec 2008) and at The Venue, Leeds, UK for " Into the Light World Music” concert series (Dec 2008). He performed under the Music for Mind & Soul Concert series at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester in Apr 2009. In July-Aug 2009, the young pianist embarked on an extensive Nationwide Piano Workshop & Concert Tour of India .Alongside the Tour, Utsav conducted a series of workshops titled Breaking Boundaries ^[19]”. After the hugely successful India Tour, the pianist finished the year with concerts at The National Concert Hall, Dublin -Sept 2009,^[20] The Irish Academy of World Music & Dance - Oct 2009,Queen Elizabeth Hall London-Nov 2009 ^[21] and at Konsert Huset, Gothenburg, Sweden-Nov 2009.

In Jan 2011, Utsav Lal undertook a three city India tour with an Indo-Irish friendship message titled "Ragas to Reels" in a unique collaboration with Irish flautist Sam Comerford. Lal gave his USA debut to a sold out concert at the prestigious John F Kennedy Center of Performing Arts, Washington DC on Mar 13, 2011 under the aegis of the Maximum India Festival which staged the top performing artists from India ranging from rock to ragas. Various Live in concert videos are available of Utsav Lal on www.youtube.com and full details on www.utsavlal.com.

References[link]

External links[link]

Artist Website [2]

NDTV Coverage [3]

India Tour "Ragas dance off Piano Keys" July-Aug 2009 Media Coverage Clips [4]

MAMA AWARDS 2008 winner-Individual category [5]

MId Day, July 29, 2009 [6]

Deccan Chronicle, Aug 9,2009 [7]

The Hindu, Aug 14,2009 [8]

Metroeireann, Dec 4,2008 [9]

Blue Frog, Mumbai [10]

Asia on the Edge Festival, Singapore, Dec 2008 [11]

The Teenager Magazine, Dec 2008 [12]

The Time Out Mint Planner, JUly 2009 [13]

Shri Randhir Kapoor releases Utsav Lal's debut Album, Sept 2008 [14]

Time Out, Mumbai,OCt 2008 [15]

Indranil Sen is an Indian Bengali male singer and producer^[1] of Bengali films.

Early life[link]

Indranil was an engineering student but discontinued and returned to Kolkata and became a singer.^[1]

Discography[link]

• Durer Balaka Vol 1 - 5
• Anupama
• Ek Gocha Rajanigandha
• Anubhab
• Bandhu Amar
• Sukh Dukher Songsar

Filmography[link]

• Kailashe Kelenkari as producer

Awards[link]

• BFJA Awards for Best Male Playback Singer (1999)
• Holds a Guinness World Record (2002) for singing the maximum number of title songs, 213, for television serials.^[1]

References[link]

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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2008)

Kishan Maharaj
Kishan Maharaj with Shahid Parvez Khan, and disciple Vineet Vyas (in background) at a concert
Background information
Born	September 3, 1923 Benares, United Provinces, British India
Died	May 4, 2008(2008-05-04) (aged 84)
Genres	Indian classical music
Instruments	tabla
Years active	1934–2008

Pandit Kishan Maharaj (Hindi: किशन महाराज) (September 3, 1923 – May 4, 2008) was an Indian tabla player who belonged to the Benares gharana of Hindustani classical music.^[1][2]

Early life and background[link]

Kishan Maharaj was born in Kabir Chaura, Benaras into a family of professional musicians.^[1] He was initially trained in classical music by his father,Hari Maharaj. After his father's death, his training was taken over by his uncle, Kanthe Maharaj, a disciple of Baldeo Sahai of the Benares gharana.

Musical career[link]

Kishan Maharaj, by the time he was eleven, he began performing in concerts. Within a few years, Kishan Maharaj was sharing the stage with stalwarts like Faiyaz Khan, Omkarnath Thakur, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Bhimsen Joshi, Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Vilayat Khan, Girija Devi, Sitara Devi and many others.

Maharaj had the ability to play cross-rhythms and produce complex calculations, particularly in tihai patterns. Known as an excellent accompanist, Maharaj was extremely versatile and capable of playing with any accompaniment, be it with the Sitar, Sarod, Dhrupad, Dhamar or even dance.

Maharaj gave a number of solo concerts during his career and also gave `Sangat` to some great dancers like Sri Shambhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Natraj Gopi Krishna, and Birju Maharaj.

Among all his compositions, his "Tala Vadya Kacheri" with the Mridangam Vidwan, "Palghat Raghu" stood out. Maharaj extensively toured and participated in several prestigious events across the world, including the Edinburgh festival and the Commonwealth Arts festival in the United Kingdom in 1965.

Maharaj won the Padma Shri in 1973 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2002.^[3] For many years, he was married to Savita Devi, daughter of Siddheshwari Devi.

Death and legacy[link]

Kishan Maharaj died on May 4, 2008 at Khajuri near Varanasi at the age of 84.^[4]

Maharaj's disciples include Pandit Nandan Mehta, Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari, Kumar Bose, Vineet Vyas (Toronto), Sandeep Das, Balkrishna Iyer, Shubh Maharaj, Pandit Pooran Maharaj (son), Anand "Maharaj" Lahiri, Arvind Kumar "Azad", Ranesh Mishra, Shashi Bellare.

References[link]

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Ranbirraj "Raj" Kapoor (Hindi: राज कपूर, Punjabi: ਰਾਜ ਕਪੂਰ, Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema.^[1] He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards in India, and a two-time nominee for the Palme d'Or grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954). His performance in Awaara was ranked as one of the top ten greatest performances of all time by Time magazine.^[2] His films were commercial successes that attracted worldwide audiences, particularly in Asia and Europe. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.

Early life and Background[link]

Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, British India (present day Pakistan), to a Khatri family of kapoor's and Ramsarni (Rama) Devi Kapoor (née Mehra). He was the eldest of six children in the family.^[3][4][5] He was the grandson of Dewan Basheshwarnath Kapoor and great-grandson of Dewan Keshavmal Kapoor, part of the famous Kapoor family. Two of Raj's brothers are actors Shashi Kapoor (a.k.a. Balbir Raj Kapoor) and the late Shammi Kapoor (aka Shamsher Raj Kapoor); the other two died in infancy. He also had a sister named Urmila Sial.

Raj Kapoor attended Colonel Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun in the 1930s.

Career[link]

At the age of eleven, he appeared in films for the first time, in the 1935 film Inquilab. After acting in several other films the next 12 years, Raj Kapoor's big break came with the lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala in her first role as a leading lady. In 1948, at the age of twenty-four, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with the film Aag. Aag marked the first of many films in which he and Nargis appeared together. In 1949 he co-starred alongside Dilip Kumar in Mehboob Khan's blockbuster Andaz which was his first major success as an actor.

He went on to produce, direct and star in many box office hits such as Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956), Jagte Raho (1956) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960). These films established his screen image as The Tramp modelled on Charlie Chaplin's most famous screen persona. In 1964 he produced, directed and starred in Sangam which was his first film in colour. This was his last major success as a leading actor. Outside of his home productions his other notable films were Anari (1959), Chhalia (1960) and Teesri Kasam (1963). He produced, directed and starred in his ambitious film, Mera Naam Joker which took more than six years to complete. When released in 1970, it was a box office disaster.

In 1971 he launched his eldest son Randhir Kapoor in Randhir's acting and directorial debut Kal Aaj Aur Kal which also starred Raj's father Prithviraj Kapoor as well as Randhir's would-be-wife Babita. He launched his second son Rishi Kapoor's career when he produced and directed Bobby (1973) which was not only a huge box office success but also introduced actress Dimple Kapadia, later a very popular actress, and was the first of a new generation of teen romances. Dimple wore bikinis in the film which was quite unique for Indian films then.

In the latter half of the 1970s and early 1980s he produced and directed films which focused on the female protagonists: Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978) with Zeenat Aman, Prem Rog (1982) with Padmini Kolhapure and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) which introduced Mandakini. He acted in fewer films by the late 1970s and early 1980s and focused on producing and directing films. He starred alongside Rajesh Khanna in Naukri (1979) and played the title role alongside Sanjay Khan in Abdullah (1980).

Raj Kapoor's last major film appearance was in Vakil Babu (1982) wherein he appeared with his younger brother Shashi. His last acting role was a cameo appearance in a 1984 released British made-for-television film titled Kim.

Death[link]

Raj Kapoor suffered from asthma in his later years; he died of complications related to asthma in 1988 at the age of 63. At the time of his death, he was working on the movie Heena (an Indo-Pakistan based love story). The film was later completed by his sons Randhir and Rishi Kapoor, and narrated by his brother Shammi Kapoor. The movie was released in 1991 and became a huge success at the Box Office. When he was being conferred upon the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, where his brother Shashi Kapoor was also present, the crowd was clapping around when President Venkataraman, who saw Kapoor's discomfort, came down the stage to give the award to the legend in the middle of thundering claps where he was breathing his last breath. And suddenly Kapoor collapsed, and was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment. The country's top cardiologists tried their best, but could not save him.^[6]

Legacy[link]

Raj Kapoor is appreciated both by film critics and ordinary film fans. Film historians and movie buffs speak of him as the "Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema," since he often portrayed a tramp-like figure, who, despite adversity, was still cheerful and honest. His fame spread worldwide. He was adored by audiences in large parts of Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, China, and Southeast Asia; his movies were global commercial successes. Raj had the knack of getting the best out of any one, since he had mastered all departments of film making and even marketing them.^{[peacock term]} When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru died in 1964 coinciding with release of Sangam, he took the opportunity to create a scene when Gopal ashes were immersed in Ganges, like Pandit Nehru described in his poetic will. His films reflected the Era in which it was made.

He had a great understanding of the public taste and a great sense of Box-Office. He was one of the pioneers of the Indian cinema, who talked about the potential of Hindi cinema emerging as a great revenue earner from the world market in fifties, which has become a reality today.^[7]

Many of Raj Kapoor's movies had a patriotic theme. His films Aag, Shree 420 and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (In the country where the Ganges flows) celebrated the newly independent India, and encouraged film-goers to be patriots. Raj Kapoor commissioned these famous lyrics for Mera Joota Hai Japani, a song from the movie Shree 420:

Mera joota hai Japani (My shoes are Japanese)

Ye patloon Inglistani (These trousers are English)

Sar pe lal topi Roosi (The red cap on my head is Russian)

Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani (But still, however, my heart is Indian)

The song is still extremely popular and has been featured in a number of movies since Shree 420 was released. Indian author Mahasweta Devi stopped the show with her inaugural speech at the 2006 Frankfurt Book Fair when she used these lyrics to express her own heartfelt patriotism and debt to her country.

Raj Kapoor was a canny judge of filmi music and lyrics. Many of the songs he commissioned are evergreen hits. He introduced the music directors Shankar-Jaikishan and the lyricists Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. He is also remembered for his strong sense of visual style. He used striking visual compositions, elaborate sets, and dramatic lighting to complete the mood set by the music. He introduced the actresses Nimmi, Dimple Kapadia, and Mandakini, as well as launching and reviving the careers of his sons Rishi, Randhir and Rajiv. He was also famous for making his actresses wear revealing clothing which was not very common in Indian cinema.

Personal life[link]

The Kapoor family lived in Peshawar and were khatris but they were also landowners in the canal colony of Lyallpur, British India, which is now called Faisalabad in the Punjab province of present-day Pakistan where the family lived for a while. He was married to Krishna Kapoor, sister of actors, Rajendra Nath and Prem Nath.^[8][9]

Kapoor is also known to have had a longtime romantic relationship with the renowned actress Nargis during the 1950s.^{[citation needed]} The couple starred in several films together, including Awaara and Shree 420.

Three of Kapoor's grandchildren are currently stars in the Bollywood film industry. His granddaughters are Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, the daughters of Raj's son Randhir Kapoor and his wife Babita. His grandson Ranbir Kapoor is son of Rishi Kapoor and his wife Neetu Singh.

Awards[link]

Kapoor had received many awards throughout his career, including 9 Filmfare Awards and 19 nominations. His films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954) were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His acting in the former was rated as one of the "Top-Ten Performances of all time", by the Time Magazine.^[2] His film Jagte Raho (1956) also won the Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987 – the highest award for cinematic excellence in India. In 2001, he was honoured with “Best Director of the Millennium” by Stardust Awards. He was named “Showman of the Millennium” by Star Screen Awards in 2002.

In June 2011, Noah Cowan, Artistic Director of TIFF Bell Lightbox, and Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft along with members of the Kapoor family came together to pay tribute to the life and work of Indian actor, director, mogul and legend Raj Kapoor, as presented in partnership by TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), and the Government of Ontario.Indian Mirror Reports suggest Kapoor will be inducted onto the Brampton Walk of Fame in Ontario, Canada.^[10]

Association with other artists[link]

Shankar-Jaikishan[link]

Shankar-Jaikishan were his music director of choice. He worked with them in 20 films in all including 10 of his own films from Barsaat until Kal Aaj Aur Kal. (Jagte Raho with Salil Chowdhury and Ab Dilli Dur Nahin being two exceptions in this period). Only after Jaikishan died, did he turn to a different music director – Laxmikant-Pyarelal for Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Prem Rog (later on his children used Laxmikant-Pyarelal for Prem Granth also) and Ravindra Jain for (Ram Teri Ganga Maili and Henna). It is interesting to note that Raj Kapoor acted in a movie with music by Madan Mohan only once i.e. Dhoon (1953) which featured duet Hum pyar karenge by Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, only instance Hemnat Kumar giving playback to Raj Kapoor, and did only one movie with O. P. Nayyar (Do Ustad).

List of films with Shankar-Jaikishan: (18 Films)

Nargis[link]

• Raj Kapoor and Nargis worked together in 16 films including 6 of his own productions.

Mukesh and Manna Dey[link]

Mukesh was Raj Kapoor's almost exclusive singing voice in almost all of his films. Also, when Mukesh died, Raj had said, Main ne apni aawaaz ko kho diya... (I have lost my voice...). However Manna Dey has also sung many notable and super-hit songs for Raj Kapoor, for instance in Shree 420 and Chori Chori. Examples of such Manna songs are best illustrated by the following list:

• "Laga Chunri Mein Daag" (Dil Hi To Hai)
• "Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua" (Shree 420)
• "Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo" (Mera Naam Joker)
• "Dil Ka Haal Sune Dil Wala" (Shree 420)
• "Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum" (Chori Chori)
• "Jahan Mein Jati Hoon Wahin Chale Aate Ho" (Chori Chori)
• "Yeh Raat Bhigi Bhigi, Yeh Mast Fizayen" (Chori Chori)
• "Masti Bhara Hai Samaan" (Parvarish)
• "Mur Mur Ke Na Dekh" (Shree 420)
• "Chalat Musafir" (Teesri Kasam)
• "Belia Belia Belia" (Parvarish)
• "Lallah Allah Tera Nigehbaan" (Abdullah)
• "Mama O Mama" (Parvarish)

Filmography[link]

Further reading[link]

• The Kapoors: the first family of Indian cinema, by Madhu Jain. Penguin, Viking, 2005. ISBN 0-670-05837-8.

References[link]

Notes[link]

• Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. London: British Film Institute; New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1994
• Kishore, Valicha. The Moving Image. Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1988

External links[link]

• Raj Kapoor at the Internet Movie Database
• 12 Indians who are famous in Russia