The honour in sacrifice

Anuradha (Hindi, 1960)

Never knew the existence of this hit till of late. This 1960 national award film was not, however, a big grosser at the box office as it deals with a topic that draws least interest from the audience at large. It is a soft drama with minimal glitz and razzmatazz that most viewers of Hindi movies look for.

Back in 1994, when I was walking aimlessly in the streets of Edinburgh, poof jumped in front, a jubilant varsity mate who had successfully completed his post graduate examinations. As he had an extra ticket for his convocation, he naturally invited me.

Forgot all the regalia of ceremonies that you had seen in your life. His convocation was held a lecture hall of The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The royal tone of the event was set by the band of kilt donning Scotsmen playing their majestic bagpipes. After the initial formalities, the President of the College gave what I thought then was the mother of all convocation speeches. Of course later came Steve Jobs' Stanford speech!
He said something to the effect of that the scroll that he is out to give out was not only going out to the doctors who had given their 100% dedication to their work but to tens or scores of people behind his success. He specifically mentioned the sacrifices that the family/wife/children made to ensure that the candidates had a peace of mind to study; to making all that mugs of coffee and so on. (Maybe in the modern Malaysia, this 'chore' would have been delegated too the live-in maid. The question of what is work and what is dutiful act of love is a full topic altogether!) In essence, behind every candidate's successful completion stood an army of people's sacrifice. This in essence is the take home message of the movie.

Leela Naidu, again appears as a demure wife who stands behind her husband but this time her patience almost boils over!
Anuradha Rai (Leela Naidu) is a renowned singer who falls for a doctor, Dr Nirmal Chaudhry (Balraj Sahni, a Humphrey Bogart look alike all the way to the facial mole, minus the chain smoking), after her fall during a performance. Love blossom despite paternal objection. She even rejects a family friend's (Deepak who is also a great fan) proposal. They get married without her father's blessings. Dr Nirmal, with his life long ambition to serve the poor moves in to a village. He leads a simple live treating his patients within his capacity.
This story is told in flashback.10 years on, they have a daughter, living a simple life in the village. Anuradha music career is just a distant memory. Nirmal is engrossed in his work and the romanticism of that they had during courting is sorely missed by her.
Sometime later, Anuradha's father patches up with them.
One day, Deepak (Anu's fan and friend) gets involved in motor vehicle accident as he and a girlfriend (Seema) drive around in the countryside. Dr Nirmal treats them to health.
Deepak's presence rekindles Anu's old musical ambitions. Ignited by Deepak's persuasions, she considers leaving her ever busy husband with his work to pursue her musical dreams. Meanwhile, Seema's family doctor visits Seema to discover Nirmal excellent work and service albeit his limited resources. The older doctor, over dinner, sings praises of Anu over her sacrifices for Nirmal's successes and should be the sole beneficiary of all accolades.
After realising that her sacrifice is actually an honour where many needy patients benefit, she changes her plan to leave Nirmal! She stays on in the village!

Pandit Ravi Shankar gives a rare rendition of his music in a Hindi film here.