Navrang

Navrang is a 1959 Indian Hindi-language film co-written and directed by V. Shantaram. The film is noted for its dance sequences with lead actress Sandhya and music by C. Ramchandra, while playback singer Mahendra Kapoor made his singing debut with the song Aadha Hai Chandramaa Raat Aadhi.

Diwakar is a poet, in British period India. He loves his wife Jamuna very much. But Jamuna feels that Diwakar is irresponsible and he that he lives in a fantasy world. Meanwhile, Diwakar creates a muse from his imagination, who looks exactly like his wife and calls her Mohini. He becomes a recognized poet soon and Jamuna gives birth to a boy. However, happiness does not last a long time, as Diwakar loses his job because of his songs against the British rule. Now he can no longer feed his sickly father or his son. On top of all this, Diwakar's obsession with Mohini continues, which forces Jamuna to leave their home. Diwakar's father passes away one day.

Manjari, the courtesan sees Diwakar in a sad state on the road. She asks him the reason of his sadness. Diwakar narrates all his difficulties. She manages to call Diwakar's wife at Thakur's Birthday celebration through Thakur's mother. On the celebration day, Thakur orders Diwakar to sing. But Diwakar refuses saying that he is unable to write or sing anything as Jamuna, the inspiration is no longer with him. Thakur orders to arrest him. But remembering his wife and muse, Diwakar starts singing. Jamuna is actually sitting in the court, with Thakurain (Thakur's mother). Thakurain tells Jamuna that she is so lucky to have a husband who loves her so much. Jamuna recognizes Diwakar's talent and love for her. She realizes her mistake and patches up with her husband.

• Sandhya as Jamuna/Mohini
• Mahipal as Divakar
• Keshavrao Date as Janardhan
• Chandrakant Mandare
• Baburao Pendharkar as Diwan Daulatrai
• Agha as Leelu Rangbaaz
• Vatsala Deshmukh
• Vandana Sawant
• Ulhas
• Jeetendra as Sandhya

• Director: V. Shantaram
• Editor : Chintamani Borkar
• Banner : Rajkamal Kalamandir
• Cinematography : Tyagraj Pendharkar
• Choreographer : Shyam Kumar
• Music Director : C. Ramchandra
• Lyrics : Bharat Vyas
• Audiographer : A. K. Parmar

Lyrics for all songs written by Bharat Vyas. The track "Aadha Hai Chandrama" is set to Raag Malkauns (Hindolam in Carnatic), and "Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan" in Raag Chandrakauns

• Navrang at IMDb
• Review at Rediff.com (engl.)