Malajanha
Malajanha, (Alternative Title: The Dead Moon) released in 1965, is regarded as the first new wave cinema in Odia. Considered at par with Satyajit Ray’s path-breaking Pather Panchali, it claimed the coveted President’s Certicate of merit for best Odia film in National Film Awards (1965). Written and directed by Nitai Palit, Malajanha based on novel of the same title by the Odia novelist Upendra Kishore Das.
Nitai Palit
Akshaya Mohanty
Akshaya Mohanty (Kashyap)
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Cast & Crew
Directing
Nitai Palit
Music
Akshaya Mohanty
Movie Details
Release Date: December 10, 1965 at Prabhat Cinema, Cuttack
Directed by: Nitai Palit
Produced by: Banabihari Dev, Sriprasad Kanunugo, Akshay Mohanty, Akshay Mohanty (Kashyap), Arabind Shadangi Mishra
Production Co: Shree Films
Distributed by: Sakha Distributors
Story: Upendra Kishore Das
Lyrics: Binodini Devi, Narasingh Mohapatra, Kabisurya Baladev Rath, Banamali
Music: Akshay Mohanty
Cast: Akshay Mohanty (Kashyap), Geeta Dutt, Jharana Das, Laxmipriya Mahapatra, Manimala, Sharat Mohanty, Pira Mishra, Bhim Singh, Purna Singh, Shibu Singh, Rabi Ray, Mohan Mohanty, Biswanath Rao and others
Songs:
- E Ranga Rahiba Nahin (Singer: Pranab Patnaik, Sikandar Alam, Nirmala Mishra)
- Rakata Tala Mala Khaira Pancha Kala (Singer: Akshay Mohanty)
- Tuchhaku Mahu (Singer: Kalyani Bhattacharya)
- Naanti Mo Naanti (Singer: Nandita Ghosh)
- Galani Ta Gala Katha (Singer: Akshay Mohanty)
- Mun Ta Kularu Heli Bahara (Singer: Pranab Patnaik)
- Mora Antara Mandire Rahi (Singer: Pranab Patnaik)
Plot:
Sati is compelled by her impoverished parents to marry a rich, ugly old man who keeps a concubine. When a young neighbour named Nath begins to fall in love with her, she discovers a different method to deal with the misfortune in her life. Finally, both depart from the village and make their way to Cuttack. Their relationship is questioned by the religious neighbours. Sati ultimately jumps into the river to end her life since she is unable to handle the commotion surrounding her and Nath.
Production Notes:
With joint efforts from musician Akshaya Mohanty and Akshaya Mohanty (Kashyap), the project was launched in 1962. A few of the couple’s friends, including Sarat Dev, Sriprasad Kanunugo, and Arabind Shadangi Mishra, helped them to get through the financial difficulty. The project was abandoned after four to five days days of filming due to a lack of funding. The project’s funding was renewed in 1963 by Ban Bihari Dev, the former king of Auli. The production was put on hold for another year due to the same financial diculties after 60 percent of the shooting was finished. Finally, Akshaya Mohanty asked Dhira Biswal, a producer and filmmaker, for assistance. He assumed the burden of duty, and the movie was released in 1965.
Review:
This heartbreaking love story is told in the setting of rural life in Odisha, which is plagued by superstitions, strict caste biases, and extreme poverty. Child marriages were very common, and women were treated like slaves with no autonomy or choice. One may argue that Sati’s misery and suffering were mostly caused by the socio-economic ills that plagued modern rural Odisha.
Image credit: Malajanha poster courtesy – eminent cine researcher and writer Surya Deo
