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SWEET Morning Raga
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Shabana Azmi on movies, roles and `Morning Raga'
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FIVE-TIME national award-winner Shabana Azmi is no stranger to applause and accolades. Yet, the spontaneous applause for her role in `Morning Raga' must be music to her ears. Shabana plays a Carnatic singer called Swarnalata in the film.
As she said later, "It was one of the most challenging roles I have ever done. I had second thoughts about it and wondered if I could do justice to the role."
Shabana Azmi was in Thiruvanathapuram to inaugurate the Indian package of the Ninth International Film Festival of Kerala.
Later, after attending the `open forum,' Shabana hailed an autorickshaw. "Chalo... let's go. I want a cup of coffee," she said.
Ten minutes later, she sipped hot coffee and decided to try out crisp paper dosas.
While waiting for the dosas, she talked about `Morning Raga.' Soon, she was humming a few lines of `Thaye Yashoda.' As curious customers turned to look and then to stare, she nonchalantly sang snatches of the song and smiled triumphantly.
While tucking into the dosas and the three chutneys that came with it, she spoke about `Morning Raga,' some of her favourite roles, and so on... Excerpts.
Challenging
"It was a challenge for me as it was all about acquiring a new skill. Remember, that I had not even learnt Hindustani music. My teacher, Ranjini Ramakrishnan, who enacts the role of my friend, Vaishnavi, was very good. I was able to sing after 18 classes. Alka Yagnik and Anup Jalota, who sang the songs, were amazed. What thrilled me most was a call from Pandit Ravishankar and his wife, Sukanya. They told me that my performance was excellent. In fact, there is something very soothing about Carnatic music. It has a spiritual quality that has transformed and touched me. I may not be able to pinpoint what it is but I would love to continue my music lessons with Ranjini.
Shyam Benegal
He is my guru, mentor and friend. `Ankur' was our debut film. After each movie of mine, he makes it a point to call me and tell me what he thinks about it. That is one call I look forward to after each of my films.
`Ankur' heralded a new beginning in Indian cinema. Shabana went on to do a wide range of roles that have left an indelible impression on viewers. Daughter of poet, lyricist and activist, Kaifi Azmi, and noted stage actress, Shaukat, she was not content to be just another pretty face and run around trees. .
Memorable roles
Well, I have chosen different movies at different movies. Sometimes, it depends on my moods. Laxmi in `Ankur' is certainly one of the roles that I treasure. It was my first film and it fetched me the national award at the age of 23. Parallel cinema probably began with `Ankur.' I feel that I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time.
Mahesh Bhatt's `Arth' is another role that I cherish. After the movie hit the theatres, droves of women came home to share their sorrow and experiences. They made me part of a sisterhood. Even after so many years the role of Pooja whose husband deserts her for an actress, manages to move viewers.
`Kandahar' is one of my favourites. Director Mrinal Sen narrated the story in 20 minutes and I immediately accepted the offer. Jamini is not a victim. She retains her dignity despite the terrible vacuum in her life. I loved her character.
Then would come Mira Nair's `Fire,' in which I portray Radha, and `Godmother.' Rambhi in `Godmother' is truly heroic. There were a few problems during the making of the film. But those were sorted out. I had to change my body language and swagger on screen to suit the role. Then I would choose `Morning Raga' as I had to learn something completely new to do that role.
Promising actors
I feel that the actor to watch out for is Konkona Sen. She dares to be different and does different roles that gives her a great deal of scope to explore and bring out her best.
What about direction?
Direction is too much of hard work. I am lazy. I would like to write a book sometime in the future. But my husband, Javed, says that I am genetically incapable of rest.
Banning
Banning films does not ever solve a problem. What is more dangerous than nudity or violence is the portrayal of women as second-class human citizens. It is all the more dangerous in a patriarchal society. Those kind of portrayals send sublimal messages that can harm gender relations in the future too. I find that working class women do not have a space in our movies.
SARASWATHY NAGARAJAN
Photos: R.V. Moorthy
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