Pyaasa

1957, Hindi, YouTube (Tommydan55 Channel), 8.5/10 IMDB, Directed by Guru Dutt

A tale of a poet in a wistful society. A society that pretends in making the dead immortal, rather than acclaiming the talents of the living.

Pyaasa (Thirst), is about a remorseful poet Vijay (Guru Dutt), who tries to publish his Urdu poems. None, including his brothers, value his work. A prostitute, named Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman), who buys his poems from the waste paper man, falls for the poet’s writing. Vijay though is in reminiscence of his lover Meena (Mala Sinha) from his college days. Meena had left him for a wealthy man Mr. Ghosh (Rehman). Whereas, Gulabo, dreams of a respectful life with Vijay, but never reveals to him.

The global influence of ‘realism’ on Indian films are pretty much evident. The consequences of ‘unemployment’ is the core of the film and it surfaces in many instances.

In the later half of the film, the death of a beggar mistaken to be Vijay’s. He had given his jacket to the beggar. Vijay is dead while he is admitted to the hospital and is in shock. In the meantime, Gulabo, approaches Mr. Ghosh to publish is work and Vijay’s poems become a huge success.

Vijay is out of his mental shock while hearing his poem being recited by the nurse. But, when he claims he is the dead poet, he is put in an asylum. Vijay escapes and reaches just in time for the memorial service in his name. Vijay happens to witness the ill intentions of his brothers, friend and society. This prompts him to pronounce that he is not the celebrated poet.

A story that’s so novel as it has so much relevance even in today’s scenario. This makes the film ironically ‘immortal’, given the story is about glorifying the dead instead of recognizing the living.

While confronted by Meena, he expresses his hatred towards the society. The society that denies the right to be a human and throngs to worship the dead, crushing them when alive. He says he could never be at peace in such a society. He then leaves with Gulabo to a place where he doesn’t have to go any further.

The character’s arc is well defined and the director’s closure to the characters are exceptional. Meena’s character is an echo of an average human who is after fame at any cost. But instead of embracing the recognition that he had longed for all his life, Vijay opts to outcasts the society for its hypocrisy. The thirst of the poet is quenched. Yet his expedition continues, as his thirst in finding an upright society with integrity, remains unquenched.

Fine craftsmanship is the strength of the film. From the soulful renditions of Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics in S. D. Burman music to cinematographer V.K. Murthy’s usage of light and shadow, the outcome of the combination is sheer magic.

The channel Tommydan55 is a treasure trove. It houses many such timeless collection of legend, in amazing quality aptly subtitled.

Must Watch.