Himanshu Guru
Ahe Nila Saila Prabalamatta Barana l
Mo Arata Nalini Banaku Kara Dalana… ll
Devotional songs spring from the depths of Oriya society and culture. Of these there are a variety of memorable ancient tracks that are embedded in culture, tradition and popular memory. These songs are popular across the religious spectrum. ‘Ahe Nila Saila’ is one of the most popular songs in this league. It is submerged in the devotion of Lord Jagannath and appeals to all Oriyas who seek the divine blessings of the Lord.
The ancient lyric was created by Bhakta Salabega, who by birth was ‘Jabana’ and later embraced Hinduism. A group of talented artistes have earned huge appreciation, thanks to their contributions in producing the video – the first of its kind in the Oriya entertainment industry. Sunday Post chats with the cast and crew of the upcoming short film that features the song to unravel the unique aspects of the creation.
Eminent Odissi dancer Pallavi Das is the lead actor-cum-dancer of the project. Biren Mohanty, editor of many popular Hindi films, is the director. ‘Maula Meri Lele Meri Jaan’ fame vocalist Krishna Beura has not only sung the song but also features in the video. Well known art director Sukant Panigrahi led the art department, while Suraj Purohit recomposed the song.
According to the film’s makers the spirit of the ancient composition is retained while some variations are included to impart a contemporary feel. Asutosh Panda, a renowned cameraman in the Hindi film industry, is the director of photography. Sukant Panigrahi is the production designer of the video who was ably assisted by Asutosh Patnaik.
“I have an association with ‘Ahe Nila Saila’ since childhood,” says director Biren when asked why he chose the particular song. So, what is big about this four-minute video? Is it just another devotional video? Biren said: “Not at all. I have already spent much in the project while all the crew members, who are best known for their Hindi films, have worked for free. The video which has been produced to match international standards is in the post-production stage and will be released shortly. The short film will be sent to international festivals for screening but it has been made for a core Oriya audience.”
Is not the budget disproportionately big for a four-minute video? “Initially, we started off with a limited budget but to meet existing standards were constrained to expand it,” said Biren.
“In every new composition the director can experiment with his creative ideas. But when one takes up a song which is on the heart and lips of the public one has to be extra cautious, lest the sentiment of the audience is hurt. The whole team has put in their best effort to keep the originality of the song intact. The tune of the song has been retained while the music arrangement has been altered to impart the contemporary feel,” the director said.
Asked whether the project is a short film or a music video, the director said: “It is a short film based on devotion in which music plays a major role. Led by Pallavi, Odissi and Chhau dancers feature in the video and the song has a storyline. Singer Krishna Beura is the lead artiste.”
The concept apart, choreographing an ancient composition is a tough job. Pallavi Das, the lead dancer and choreographer of the film, said: “It was a challenge. I had danced it earlier in Odissi. But I needed to put new and alluring elements and, at the same time, retain the unmistakable devotional feel. Again, the director wanted a fusion of Odissi and Chhau – two very different styles. Odissi is a classical dance while Chhau is folk. But the composition had to look synchronised. I adopted a middle way. I went through the meaning of each line of the song keeping in mind the ‘bhaba’ (feel) of devotion before coming up with the composition.”
Pallavi is not a Chhau dancer, so how could she choreograph? “I attended Chhau classes. Also, if you are an exponent of a classical dance style, you can grasp the other styles quickly,” said Pallavi who is a follower of the Pankaj Charan Das gharana of Odissi.
Dwelling on the X-factor of the choreography that makes it different from other compositions, the dancer said: “The alluring elements of Odissi is ‘bhaba’, ‘lasya’, ‘abhinaya’, expression and the steps. The composition reflects all these elements that make it unique. The originality of the dance form has been retained. It is a fusion of two dance forms which make it neo-classic. The combination is the unique feature.”
“The Chhau dancers in the short film are all students of Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar. They have worked very hard and the same choreography involves Odissi and Chhau dancers as per the prescription of the original,” Pallavi added.
Krishna Beura, who is best known for the song ‘Maula Meri Lele Meri Jaan’ of Shah Rukh-starrer ‘Chak De India’ agreed to sing the song mainly because of his love and adoration for Lord Jagannath. He said: “Initially, I was apprehensive about singing the contemporary version because the song is extremely popular in the state. But after hearing the tune I was convinced that the composition was a tribute to the immortal creator. In fact, I am fortunate to be asked to lend my voice.”
Krishna is comfortable with the high notes that suit the timber of his voice. He said: “The high pitch additions to the composition will doubtless thrill the audience.”
About his role in the short film, Krishna said: “My character is that of a devout who carries the wooden idol of the Lord and feels as if he is holding the Almighty in his hand. I tried to penetrate deep into the character and found myself in a heavenly world while acting. I owe everything to the Lord’s grace.”
Suraj Purohit, the music director, said: “Keeping intact the originality of the song was tough. Hence when I was asked to recompose the track I went through a phase of initial confusion. But I began putting the soothing additions. Finally, other crew members listened to it and felt the composition was not just justified but mesmerising. The changes have been brought mostly in the musical arrangement, not in the composition.”
“I was shooting in Delhi when Biren called me for the project. In the beginning only Biren had intimated me that the visuals would be at par with international standards and no compromises were to be allowed. When I came to learn about the theme I instantly agreed. I have taken great care to offer some brilliant visuals,” said Asutosh Panda, the director of photography.
“Statues of dancers have been used in the backdrop. It was a tough task for the art director to provide a divine and, at the same time, a musical and rhythmic background. But after going through the rushes I felt my team has done a good job. The shooting location was a dilapidated edifice when the unit first reached there. But the whole place was altered to a give a picturesque look in very short time,” said Sukant Panigrahi, the production designer of the short film.
