Modhu Bose
Bireswar Vivekananda is a 1964 Indian Bengali-language biographical film about the Indian Hindu religious leader, Swami Vivekananda.
In Manipur, in the early years of the 19th century, graceful and enchanting court dancer Indrani has captured the heart of Prince Chandrakirti. However, Indrani is looked down upon because of her low social standing and turned away when she tries to enter the city temple. She seeks solace in a crumbling temple, where all are welcome. Meanwhile, Prince Chandra comes under pressure to marry the princess of a neighboring land and secure a peace treaty for his kingdom.
Based on the 'Arabian Nights', this film tells of the Baghdadi woodcutter Alibaba (M. Bose) and his magic 'Open Sesame' formula; of the hero's jealous brother Kasim and the slave girl Marjina (S. Bose). The film adapts the 1897 play, giving it a Hollywood-derived exotic flavour. An improvised 'modern' dance is inserted. The slow, mannered acting with the frontally framed tableau shots are enlivened by the dance scenes, especially the Marjina-Abdallah sequence.
Two neighboring kings addicted to gambling, Ranjit and his cousin Sohat, vie for the same beautiful young woman, Sunita, daughter of the hermit Kanwa.
This rich Gopinath ignores his beautiful wife Giribala, preferring the company of the stage actress Labanga. Tired of his only pastime, dressing up in narcissistic solitude, Giribala one night follows her husband to the theatre where a new world opens up for her. When Gopinath runs off with Labanga, Giribala joins the stage in Labanga's place and becomes famous. The hypocrisy of men's moral double standards is revealed when Gopinath recognizes his wife on stage when her veil drops.
Living an indolent life in a luxurious palace, Prince Gautama (Rai) is insulated by his family from the harshness of the world outside. But he is destined to learn greater truths: shocked to discover the pain and suffering of so many in his kingdom, he abandons his privileged existence, and his wife Gopa (Seeta Devi), to become a wandering teacher, eventually finding enlightenment and founding Buddhism. Featuring superimposed images and deep-focus shots that were highly impressive for the time, Light of Asia astutely combines a deeply felt spirituality with the surefire attraction of Indian exotica, which helped make it a considerable success in Europe.
