Laxmi

In 1962, ‘Laxmi’, the third venture under the newly created banner Kalinga Films, was jointly produced by Gour Prasad and Parbati (the name given to Chandana by her in-laws). History of sorts was created by Gour Prasad as he introduced Parbati Ghose as the first female producer of the Odia Film Industry. Suren Sarkar (studio owner), Phagumani Khuntia, Narendra Nath Mitra, Jagmohan Nandy, Sudam Prusty and Abdul Rehman were instrumental in the making of this movie. The singer and composer Balakrushna Das was the music director. Renowned singer Md. Sikandar Alam was introduced to the film world. Famous Bengali singers like Sandhya Mukherjee, Shipra Bose and Tarun Banerjee rendered their voice for the first time in Odia films. This movie was based on ‘Shahar Theke Doore’, a Bengali story by Sailajananda Mukherjee who also wrote the screenplay. ‘Laxmi’ was initially titled ‘Choto Moro Gaan Ti’ (My Small Village). It was also made in Bengali (Shahar Theke Doore (1981) and in Hindi (Ek Gaon Ki Kahani (1957) by other producers. Many stage artistes like Babi, Manimala, Mena, Krushnachandra Pandey, Sarat Mohanty and Anima enacted prominent characters. Parbati Ghose’s eldest brother Sarada Naik was given the first and only opportunity to direct under the supervision and technical guidance of advisor and editor Binoy Banerjee. Dialogues and the lyrics of some songs were also penned by Sarada Naik. The youngest brother Swarup Naik acted as a child artiste in a song sequence (playback by Sikandar Alam),which became extremely popular. By now Gour Prasad and Parbati were known for their professionalism and due credit was given to all. ‘Laxmi’ captured the hearts of the cine goers. It was a massive box office hit, critically acclaimed and a National Award winner in the Regional Films category. The then President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan presented the award.

Released on: 13 April 1962
Directed by: Sarada Prasanna Naik
Produced by: Gour Prasad Ghose, Parbati Ghose
Production Co.: Kalinga Films
Story & Screenplay: Sailaja Nanda Mukherjee
Dialogues: Sharada Prasanna Naik
Editing: Binoy Banerjee
Art Direction: Hiren Lahiri
Audiography: Paritosh Bose
Cinematography: Romen Pal
Choreography: Dayanidhi Das
Background Music: Dhuni Chand Boral
Playback Singers: Sandhya Mukherjee, Sipra Bose, Arati Mahapatra, Tarun Banerjee, Sarada Prasanna Naik and Sikandar Alam
Lyrics: Sarada Prasanna Naik
Music: Balakrushna Dash
Dancers: Master Manu, Urvasi
Child Artists: Swarup Naik, Kumar Partha
Cast: Anima Pedini, Dayanidhi Das, Gour Prasad Ghose, Manimala, Parbati Ghose, Samuel Sahu, Sharat Mohanty, Krushna Chandra Pandey, Mena Samantaray, Subas, Sudhansu and others

Songs:

• Au Chanda Lagi Kumuda (Singer: Sandhya Mukherjee)
• Baridare Jaa Na Tu Na Jaa (Singer: Sikandar Alam)
• Mane Bhari Abhimana (Singer: Tarun Banerjee)
• Bakula Bane (Singer: Sandhya Mukherjee)
• Jhool Re Hati Jhool (Singer: Shipra Bose)

Synopsis:

In the village of Patpur, about 15 miles from Puri, there live three remarkable persons – Chanakya Mohapatra. a middle-aged crook and tout, Karunakar, compounder of the village dispensary and Biswanath, a noble-hearted fearless youngman. All the vile activities of the crook, Chanakya, are fused by Biswanath. They are at daggers drawn.

A young doctor. Ashok, arrives and takes charge of the village dispensary. Biswanath and Ashok become friends. as both have feelings of sympathy for the poverty-stricken villagers. Though Biswanath himself is young and active, his family life is unhappy. His wife , Shanti, has no child and. so his mother, Durga, dislikes her. She wants to arrange a second marriage of her son with Radha, daughter of the compunder. Chanakya also has Radha in view for his son. Radha is secretly in love with the doctor. One day Chanakya accidentally detects it and threatens Karunakar to expose his daughter.

A few days later, Biswanath leaves on a pilgrimage with his wife. Chanakya exploits the situation and manipulates Ashok to leave the village and settle the marriage of his deaf son with Radha, When the marriage is only one day ahead, Biswanath returns to the village. Radha falls on his feet and begs to save her somehow. He hits upon a plan. With the co-operation of young villagers, he arranges a fake marriage of Chanakya’s son with a boy dressed as bride, and conceals Radha in his own house. Just then a quarrel arises between Durga and Shanti, and the latter runs away from home and jumps in the river. A boatman rescues her, and takes her to his house.

Biswanath goes in search of Ashok, who is traced out at the boatman’s house attending on Shanti. Ashok does not recognise Shanti nor Biswanath is aware of Shanti’s presence there. He brings Ashok with him saying that his sister is seriously ill, and compels him to marry Radha. Learning that the doctor has gone to Patpur. Shanti anticipates danger and reaches there. Ashok then reveals that Shanti expects a child. This adds mirth to the happy ceremony.

Chanakya is very angry with Biswanath and gives a hard knock to him. Ashok intervenes but Biswanath steps him saying that they are all sons of the same soil; they will quarrel and cry but will laugh in the end.

Poster & images credit: GourParbati.com