The film was edited by P. V. Narayanan, while B. S. Ranga provided the cinematography. But for some reason we sympathize with him anyway. 'Devdas' is a fiction novel originally written in Bengali by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and translated into English by Sreejata Guha. Devdas is an epic tale of Bengali romance that is based on the novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay which highlights the tumultuous relationships between its three protagonists: Devdas, Chandramukhi and Parvati (or Paro) and draws parallels to popular Indian mythological characters, Lord Krishna. Of course, like most others, I've seen the movie before reading the book. The only marked difference in the numerous versions of Devdas is that the more recent one is dotted with more elaborate sets and the makers have kept a keen eye for detail in order to make the story seem as authentic as possible. Devdas is distraught at the separation from his mother and his female playmate--Parvati. For instance, the very first and second Devdas films have been shot with austerity wherein the costumes are used to enhance the element of traditional Bengali culture by keeping it simple and using handloom cotton Bengali saris for Paro and Chandramukhi with subtle jewelry. He retreats into drug abuse instead. But once his parents denied him Paro, he denied Paro, then Paro denied him apology & decided not to come back. Devdas will clutch his bottle to heart so we know he is a swooning alcoholic. He is weak, and mentally/physically sick. I was a little curious as to how the characters really are and whether the interpretations on TV or movies is actually real. Weirdly, this makes his death more moving and tragic. Finally to come out of the reader's block I picked up this one in Hindi and what a mind-blowing book it turned out. I don't think this story could have been written in the West--the fact that people call it "the Romeo and Juliet of India" indicates that. This popular love story has seen many adaptations over decades in India and has been made in regional languages too. My tryst with the legend of Devdas started (Unfortunately) with the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie Devdas. The introduction also helped a great deal. The ball was in his court repeatedly to turn the situation around, but he never mans up. The western attire with the full suit, tie, shoes, hat and walking stick are all present and so is the crispness in the traditional Bengali dhoti, kurta and shawl- but that is secondary to the performance and music of the film. How wonderfully terrible. The very first Devdas portrayed by Kundan Lal Saigal is a very simple film that stays true to most of the novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay in terms of how he appeared upon his return from England and how he later converted to traditional wear during his days of alcoholism and despondency. He killed six individuals with the help of his nurse Jyoti Mandre. Devdas unlike in movies has not been justified by the author. But I must say that this is my second Sarat Chandra book which I have read back to back (with Parineeta) and he has definitely gone on top of the respect ladder in my heart and joins his contemporaries like Premchand, Tagore and even my personal all time favorite Satyajit Ray (who I would rate a little lower than all of them, please no brickbats) I am only talking about the Writing. His childhood friendship with Paro is characterized as one where he thinks he owns her and can hit her for asserting independence. Devdas is a Bengali romance novel written by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee. Old wine in a new bottle, one might say! I love Saratchandra's writing style. He wants to have whatever he wants whenever he wants it which isn't possible. I especially like the childhood depiction of Devdas and Paru's life. On the other hand, what comes to mind of the new age Paro is Aishwarya Rai’s immaculate screen presence in her lustrous sarees, heavy gold jewellery and glamorous makeup, furthermore all the details are easily visible now than in the previous black-and-white movies. He completely destroys his life and even if you feel angry at him for rejecting the girl (which I did not, because being an Indian I know how deeply rooted caste system was back then) you will grieve f. It is a classic written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay- telling us the things a lover should not do! Devdas is one of my favorite movies. Aerial view, drone point of view, ...[+] flying over a new housing development. What one may remember of Paro from the 1955 version would be a simple and innocent looking Suchitra Sen in her simple Cotton Bengali sari with the red bindi and kohled eyes. Each of the characters in this book defines the very notion of a 'character' in a plot. What struck me particularly was the character of Chandramukhi. And the book is more tragic than romantic. I sometimes wonder why we all have to grow old get burdened with so many responsibilities. The story of Devdas, based on the novella Devdas by Bengali writer Sharat Chandra Chattopadhya (1876-1938), has been a popular romantic narrative for the Indian people ever since its publication in 1917 (though the story was apparently composed in 1901 [1]). I am upgrading my rating from 3 stars to 5. He rejects her proposal in part because she defies social norms and risks social censure to. DEVDAS(2002) ‘The course of love never did run smooth,” said Shakespeare. With SRK's portrayal, you imagine that Devdas is a stronger character than he actually is in the book. And then rather than. I mean, why am I even reviewing this book? by Penguin Books India. Anonymous girl's Quora story on how she was kidnapped into prostitution ... That my pain is real and at least they can see it. Certainly identifiable for anyone who has missed out on love out of cowardice, or who has been separated from a love due to external circumstances like familial or social expectations. 'Devdas' is a fiction novel originally written in Bengali by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and translated into English by Sreejata Guha. The introduction also helped a great deal. If he does, no matter how deep and true his love is it is doomed. However, the three popular Hindi versions of Devdas were released in 1936 (K.L. He wants to have whatever he wants whenever he wants it which isn't possible. Sarat Chandra Chatterjee spent his early years as child in Bhagalpur. The novel shows the truth about society that how men go to extremes when they can't get what they want and how women are so calm and adjust to the life they get and be happy in that. Short novella can be read in an hour or two. Spoilers ahead. The story of Devdas from the 1955 version is less of a fairytale, and more of a lover’s tragic account. In Hindi if not (I read it in Hindi). The story of the erstwhile Queen of Kamatipura was told by Hussain Zaidi's Mafia Queens of Mumbai where she was portrayed as a woman of spirit and not just a victim of circumstance. This is a rewrite of a review posted 3/28/2016, after finishing the translation by Srejatta Guha. After his wealthy family prohibits him from marrying the woman he is in love with, Devdas Mukherjee's life spirals further and further out of control as he takes up alcohol and a life of vice to numb the pain. But they were so different, so real than the magnanimous images on screen. He rejects her proposal in part because she defies social norms and risks social censure to ask for a relationship with him. I wish I can read Bangla! This translation is far superior to the one I previously read by Amitava Bhattacharya. Devdas is the story of a love beyond all else...even life. Kundan Lal Saigal and Jamuna in 1935 Devdas (Source: wikimedia). Its unclear to me why I sympathize with Devdas, but that seems to be the common thing. On turning the last page of Devdas, a short novella that I could hardly bear to put down, whilst one is forced to confront feelings of sadness and loss at the tragedy that has just unfolded one is further provoked, not to weep, but to try and understand and explain them. Irrationally abusive towards Parvati nearly from birth, his comeuppance elicits so little of the sympathy typically appropriate for a weary anti-hero; instead, the reader will likely feel his grisly end justly deserved. Four slaps and a funeral 10/10. The genders of the main characters have been reversed and the story is based in the 21st century.” This is the tagline that goes with the blurbs and posters of Rick Basu’s Devi. Ironically I end up loving the movie for its Dialogues, those lines were literally to die for. To see what your friends thought of this book, Devdas, Paro, Chandramukhi.. the characters which have been immortalised through spoofs, tragedies, bollywood.. but they are so real.. we see them around us.. love turned sour because of egos, social barriers, differences. I. This popular love story has seen many adaptations over decades in India and has been made in regional languages too. There has been a keen eye for details when it comes to the colors, the cotton and silks of Bengal, the chikankari embroidery work on the kurtas, the typical golden buttons of the suit, the hat, the English overcoat and the polka-dotted bow-tie. This offers an original angle to Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s … And when he doesn't get what he wants he throws his life away. The movie is more focused on story telling through emotions, speech-like dialogues and songs rather than clothes, jewellery and settings. I kept expecting Devdas to be likeable, chandramukhi the goddess of sacrifice, and paro to be her dignified self. Their love is physical- that's obvious. On turning the last page of Devdas, a short novella that I could hardly bear to put down, whilst one is forced to confront feelings of sadness and loss at the tragedy that has just unfolded one is further provoked, not to weep, but to try and understand and explain them. I can speculate further as to why we sympathize, but I'll leave it there. If I was still in school or college (dependent on my parents) I would have learned at least Bengali and French for starters to read and watch so many movies respectively. Director Bimal Roy’s representation of Devdas which was based on Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel was simple and serene, and void of glamor. This weak character is simply not seen in the movie, aside from the fact that he hits Paro in the movie, which I didn't understand until I read the book. Each outfit designed for Madhuri Dixit in the new version of Devdas cost around 15 lakhs. With Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff. Compelling as she was in the movie, her character in the book was almost an entirely different person. The character development is spectacular. However, the three popular Hindi versions of Devdas were released in 1936 (K.L. I was also surprised to learn that many of the film's pivotal scenes and characterization, In stark contrast to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's adaptation, Devdas' character in the original leaves a taste in one's mouth more bitter than the most bootleg Calcutta liquor he manages to find. The black and white cinematography adds to the uncomplicated visual effect that the movie has in terms of its style and appeal. We probably wouldn't if the ending wasn't constructed as perfectly. His childhood friendship with Paro is characterized as one where he thinks he owns her and can hit her for asserting independence. The bloated melodrama of the 2002 film adaptation is beautiful to look at, but bears little resemblance to the book's minimalist character study. Opulent is what describes the attire of the most recent Devdas. First things first, DEVDAS is a name we've all grown up hearing or talking about! This is a depressing book. Family homes in the country side in winter time, by the forest. Paro’s portrayal in the 1936 film is a very raw representation of the character in the novella by Chattopadhyay, but the movie is largely about Paro and defies the title ‘Devdas’. The main protagonist, Devdas, is a boy born into a very rich Brahmin family from Bengal. He is like a child. This is such a beautiful, deceptively simple novella. Chandramukhi too has undergone a metamorphosis to what she was presented like in the 1936 movie, which can be an authentic representation of the character in terms of attire as she exuded simplicity and grace in typical Bengali sarees. The Story of Devdas. The second version starred the superstar of those times, Dilip Kumar, as Devdas whose presence livened up the silver screen and made the movie a resounding success. Anybody who has watched the movie, will not believe how short this book is. Saigal as Devdas), 1955 (Dilip Kumar as Devdas) and 2002 (Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas). However, come 2001 and the Shahrukh-starrer Devdas was a complete foil to what we had earlier seen, with dress designers who were hired to dress up the protagonists after a lot of research. Twists, turns, red herrings, the usual suspects: These books have it all...and more. I don't think this story could have been written in the West--the fact that people call it "the Romeo and Juliet of India" indicates that. Whether you like it or hate it, the experience of having sex for the first is a memorable affair. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This is another film by the great Bimal Roy. The character development is spectacular. Ironically I end up loving the movie for its Dialogues, those lines were literally to die for. How wonderfully terrible. Devdas is portrayed as a coward and nothing else. One huge mistake and all of their lives go for a toss. Since that day I actually not only wanted to read the classic Bengali Literature and watch the original movie made by Bimal Roy with Dilip Kumar in lead. Just why this tale lingers in the popular mind may be a matter for discussion, but its persistence is undeniable: the story has … This isn't a grand, tragic love story, it's the tale of a man who is torn apart by his inability to have the relationships he wants to have because he has been c. This is such a beautiful, deceptively simple novella. A decent young man and a caring, but self respecting, young woman - and a feudal society where he has no means of supporting her if his family would not have it and so lacks courage to elope with the woman he loves, so he does the decent thing and instead tells her he never saw her as a lover, a mistake he repents forever while throwing away his life. The new Devdas has no tacit feelings between Paro and Devdas or Chandramukhi and Devdas. The second version of Devdas which was directed by the legendary director Bimal Roy is perhaps the most authentic adaptation of the book and does poetic justice to the essence of Devdas. It is a classic written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay- telling us the things a lover should not do! He is too cowardly to pursue love properly in the face of social expectations. However, Chandramukhi that has been played by Madhuri Dixit in the Bhansali magnum opus gives the character a dream-like quality that is almost unattainable. Blame the movie, not me. 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