Awara (1951)

आवारा

When I saw Raj Kapoor and Nargis in Shree 420 I was astonished in equal parts by the magnetism of the stars and by Raj Kapoor's mastery of the art of entertainment.  So I had high expectations for Awara ("vagabond") - perhaps too high, because while Awara was certainly an excellent film, it left me somewhat unengaged and disappointed.

Raghunath (Prithviraj Kapoor) considers himself a forward-thinking man, and bucks tradition and his family by marrying a widow.  When his wife Leela (Leela Chitnis) is kidnapped and then mysteriously returned, though, Raghunath is overwhelmed by the wagging tongues of his community.  He concludes, in shades of the Ramayana, that her honor is sullied, and casts her out of his household; she bears his son in squalor. 

Raghunath continues to rise in esteem and eventually becomes a judge who deals harshly with criminals, believing them born of bad blood and incapable of rehabilitation.  His son Raj (Raj Kapoor), meanwhile, under the influence of the same thug Jagga (K.N. Singh) who kidnapped his mother, grows up to be a crook and a bank robber.  When he is reunited with his childhood friend Rita (Nargis) - who happens to be Judge Raghunath's ward - sparks fly, and Raj is torn between his desire to be good enough for her and his belief, fostered by Jagga, that he is no good for anything other than crime.

Like Shree 420, Awara explores a wide range of social themes.  Dominated by ruminations on the question of nature versus nurture, it also addresses classism, injustice toward women, and other weighty issues.  But where Shree 420 clothes its missive to post-partition India in a truly entertaining package, watching Awara it is difficult to shake the feeling of being educated.  Everything, and everyone, is deadly serious.  The tone is set by Prithviraj's clenched jaw and furrowed brow and carried through Raj's dour sarcasm, a bitterness that sours even the film's tender moments.  The result is a movie that, despite the excellence of its craft, feels like work to watch. 

There are unquestionable strengths to Awara.  Raj Kapoor and Nargis turn in subtle and emotional performances.  And Nargis's character Rita is a rare treat - a young woman who also happens to be a lawyer.  She is cautioned against allowing her emotions (presumably a feminine weakness) to interfere with her rationality, but her introduction of compassion into the cold calculus of criminal justice is presented by the film as an unambiguous asset and the key to both Raj's and Raghunath's redemption.  This is possibly Awara's most radical idea, the notion that criminals should be treated as redeemable individuals with the potential to rehabilitate, rather than as the mechanical sum of their breeding and past bad actions. 

Awara also features a beautiful evergreen soundtrack, whose highlights include the title song, a creepy and gorgeous dream sequence in "Tere bina aag yeh chandni," and - especially - the cheeky "Dum bhar jo udhar munh phere,"in which Rita implores the bright full moon to give her and Raj some privacy for an amorous moment.  But the film's sweet, engaging, or moving moments just aren't enough to overcome the general tone of gloom and preachiness.  I realize that Shree 420 is an impossible standard to hold any film against (and that it was made after Awara), but Awara just misses striking that balance of offering its substantial message in a package that would make me want to watch the film again.  It's a great film in many ways, but just a little ponderous, a little off. 

Comments

[DG]

'Awaara' was my first Raj/Nargis film and I simply adored it - there is a definite gloom and heaviness to it but I felt it was just right for the film. It just kept me glued to the screen - I thought it sad but very beautiful, and also very inspiring and thought-provoking in terms of the social issues it raises and addresses. I loved the magnetic sexual tension between the leads, I loved the angst, conflict and intensity of the main characters... I loved Nargis's strength and beauty in this role (as you've noted, it's an unusual one, both for its time and even - sadly - now). I do wish you'd enjoyed it more and I'm sorry you felt a bit disappointed... but I also have to admit that your review makes me really look forward to watching 'Shree 420'! From what I've heard, I think you might enjoy Raj/Nargis's 'Chori Chori' more (if you haven't seen it yet).

[maxqnz]

Once again I find myself unable to argue against the thrust of your comments, Carla. The movie undoubtedly did have a heavy tone, and perhaps a heavyhandedness to it. Certainly if I was to choose between watching this again and watching Shree 420 again, 420 would win in a heartbeat. Nevertheless, I think I forgave this film is overly earnest nature because of the stunning cinematography in the dream sequence. That was an astonishing piece of cinema in my book, especially in the context of its time. Also, I wonder if the slightly preachy and unsubtle tone when compared to 420 might be at least in part a reflection of RK's experience at the time. That is, he hasn't been making films as long, and may not have reached the mastery he showed in the later work. At any rate, you've inspired me to watch my 3 favourite RK films again chronologically this time to test this theory, and to enjoy them in their own right.

[maajhi]

Wow, I didn't dum bhar jo udhar munh phere was from Awara! Exquisite lyrics sung in delicate but simply style by Mukesh and Lata (I think)!!

[maajhi]

And is it wrong of me to think Nargis is sexy in this number ;):);x.

[maxqnz]

@ "And is it wrong of me to think Nargis is sexy in this number ;):);x."

I would say that was the point of the song, na? Her allure is unconventional but undeniable, especially when voiced by Lata at her pre-croaking prime.

[Nirvana]

Please go thro my blog entry on the 'Awara phenomenon'. I am sure u will find it (and the various links) very interesting

http://nirvana73.blogspot.com/2007/11/awara-phenomenon.html

Regards

Nirvana

[carla]

Folks, I can't tell you how much of a clod I feel like for not loving this movie.

I wonder if the broad praise from all over the world - such as described in the sources quoted by Nirvana - set me up for a fall with this one.

Or it may just be that despite my strong opinions and $10 words, I'm not really that much of a connoisseur of fine film-making.

I don't have any cogent criticism of *Awara* - I just didn't love it. I'm glad I saw it, and I may even watch it again someday (I've already rewatched some of the songs). But I didn't come away feeling like I'd just experienced a treasure, the way I did with certain films that became instant favorites - Like *Shree 420*.

And I am even more embarrassed to report that my next review (which I'll complete and post tonight) is of another beloved classic of Hindi films - this time one that I really did not like at all. I hope you don't all lose faith in me for this! :/

[maajhi]

Not all movies withstand the passage of time. And not everyone has to love a movie :). I haven't even seen Awara though I've heard a lot in praise. So you're one step ahead anyway.

"her pre-croaking prime"

Ouch, maxqnz. It's true but I can't bring myself to say it. I'd feel unfaithful somehow for pleasuring myself with her songs and sweet voice from earlier times and cast her off as old and croaky at her mature age. But since you have no such ancient ties, criticize on :).

[a ppcc representative]

Ooh! Clearly I need to see Shree 420, if Awaara pales in comparison. I absolutely loved Awaara. Partly I'm a sucker for all things dark and gloomy, and so things like Raj's dour sarcasm are moving and meaningful to me, but also I was just so impressed by the visual craft, the excellent soundtrack, and the performances of Raj Kapoor and Nargis that I overlooked any of the film's problem areas. One problem area being the plot, which I agree is at best uninspired and at worst tedious.

"Folks, I can't tell you how much of a clod I feel like for not loving this movie."

Ha! My feelings exactly for Deewaar. Sometimes the classics just don't work for everyone!

@". I'd feel unfaithful somehow for pleasuring myself with her songs and sweet voice from earlier times and cast her off as old and croaky at her mature age. But since you have no such ancient ties, criticize on :)."

I ADORE Lata's early work, right up to the mid-70s at least (I've hardly watched or heard anything from the 80s). It is the contrast between the sublime beauty and mastery of songs like Aayega anewala and pretty much anything from '95 onward that saddens me. Of course, I prefer Asha anyway, but since I really only watch movies from 1975 and earlier, I still get to hear her didi at her best.

Carla

I hoped you have watched Chori Chori and liked it. Apart from some really melodious songs - it had some great acting from Raj Kapoor and Nargis. BTW, Dil Hai ke Maanta Nahin made in early 90s is actually a remake of Chori Chori (which by itself seems to have been inspired by Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady!)

cheers

Meera

Sorry for the typo carla - the first sentence shd read " I hope you have watched Chori Chori and liked it"

Meera

[Maajhi]

"It is the contrast between the sublime beauty and mastery of songs like Aayega anewala and pretty much anything from '95 onward that saddens me."

That's sad. I thought Luka Chhupi from a recent blockbuster called Rang Dey Basanti which was as late as 2006 was sublime and masterful, but maybe I only hear her voice from memory and not how it actually is today. Regardless, she's a legend who's nurtured us through thick and thin so I can't bring myself to speak of her in such terms just because she's grown older. But nevertheless, my hangups not yours :).

[Maajhi]

Luka Chhupi brought me to tears - to me, that's a sublime and masterful rendering if it can touch so many so deeply.

[carla]

I'm going to have to agree with maxqnz on this one. "Luka chhupi" is a nice song but it is the exception where recent Lata songs go (and by recent I really mean the past 20 years or so).

Part of AR Rehman's genius is that he knows where to use singers like Lata and where not to. Lata's part in "Luka chhupi," apart from being picturized on an older woman, stays within a range that she can handle these days and uses the aging of her voice to add texture.

In contrast, many songs through 80s, 90s, and beyond that used Lata just tried to pretend that she hadn't aged, with disastrous results. For me, she comes very close to ruining the catchy DDLJ soundtrack, and she actually does render the *Veer-Zaara* soundtrack unlistenable. Those are just two that pop into mind off the top of my head. She has lost control over the pitch and modulation of her voice, and unless she's very carefully directed (which I understand she doesn't take to very well), she just doesn't sound good.

[carla]

Meera: Thanks - I will see *Chori chori* though I have not yet. I am not giving up on Raj and Nargis by any means!

[maxqnz]

"Don't diss the devi" - I should have remembered that. :-)

My comment about Lata's later work was a generalisation, and Luka Chuppi is actually on my MP3 player. A beautiful song, for the reasons that Carla's mentioned. It fits her voice as it is now. A young voice wouldn't carry the same emotional weight I feel in that song, and ARR was careful to make sure the song was within her current range. It is also very much the exception, as carla also pointed out.

Of course, this is not being disrespectful of Lata's magic, or her astonishing contribution to the artform. It's simply that she has the same problem that afflicts many signers, in Western music also - not knowing when or how to adjust to the changing realities brought on by the passing of time.

[Amit]

"Chori Chori" is indeed a beautiful movie, more so because of the songs. I believe it is based on Capra's "It Happened One Night" rather than "Roman Holiday" (and definitely not "My Fair Lady") though there are some parallels with "Roman Holiday."
Say what you will of Raj Kapoor's earlier movies, one thing that is inarguable is the high quality of music and songs. I had a similar experience with "Barsaat" which I found so-so, but the songs? Marvelous!! Frankly speaking, I find Nargis's deer-caught-in-headlight smile whenever she's looking at Raj Kapoor somewhat irritating.

[yves]

Hi Carla,

I've just seen Awara... And I must say that I for one concur fully with you. Perhaps it's what happens when you've seen Shree 420 before? DG says she adored Awara, but hadn't seen Shree; same thing for pccc. I was going to do some sort of a review on Awara, and frankly, having watched it, I felt like: "well, I dunno". Preachy stuff. I wonder whether the fact that it was the first film shot in those RK Studios meant that it just had to show how great they were, and that to the expense of the story itself?
cheers