Movies - Morning Raga

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	Movies - Morning Raga

Morning Raga is an English-language Indian filmed that released in 2005. Directed by Mahesh Dattani and starring Bollywood stars Shabana Azmi and Lillette Dubey, the movie was critically acclaimed for it's excellent storyline, direction and music score. It has been nominated for the Oscars. The film is unusual for its "sensible" storyline (as opposed to modern Bollywood drama) and extensive use of English, albeit with a generous smattering of Godavari Telugu.

A film critic writes, "Morning Raga is one of the most innovative and fresh films to come out of India in recent years. A contemporary story that artistically blends past and present, traditional and modern, young and old through the echoing sounds of music, vibrant locations and great performances makes Mahesh Ditanni’s film an outstanding piece of work that will captivate audiences of all backgrounds. Morning Raga is a visual feast with every shot delicately painted to create a canvas of vibrant colours and textures. Contrasting the rich tapestries of the village setting with the energy of Bombay nightclubs and boutiques, Morning Raga highlights how the vast differences of India can co-exist within one country and the beauty of merging the two."

The film revolves around three main characters - all Telugu in the story - whose lives have each been shattered by tragic events of the past and how they are united by circumstance. Slowly they begin to work together and blend their passions to bring back the happiness they once had. These three are all connected by a love of music, and through this the film explores elements of classical Indian music, the raga, and combines it with contemporary rhythms to create the most unique and mesmerizing beats and echoing vocals.

The story is set deep in the Andhra Pradesh countryside, which is beautifully depicted in the movie. Shabana Azmi is a Carnatic singer, Swarnalata, who lost her son and best friend in an accident. Azmi's character is obviously a cultured and well off woman (the house used for her home is a beautiful zamindar country mansion and estate in Kulla) and the surrounding countryside is beautiful. Azmi's character is still haunted by her loss, and after twenty years the dead woman's son Abhinay (Prakash Rao) returns to the village to open up hardly healed wounds.

At first the English language mixed occasionally with Telugu tends to be at loggerheads with the music that runs through this moving tale of the power of music to heal and unify splintered souls.

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