प्रार्थना

A 1943 Hindi social drama produced by Sohrab Modi's Minerva Movietone and directed by Sarvottam Badami, with a cast headed by Motilal, Sabita Devi and the celebrated singing star Jahanara Kajjan. The story, dialogue and lyrics were all written by Dr. Safdar Aah Sitapuri, framing a domestic melodrama that became chiefly remembered for its richly classical song score.

All ten songs were penned by Dr. Safdar Aah Sitapuri and composed by Saraswati Devi, each in a distinct raag — among them Brindavani Sarang ('Aaya Sawan Aa Jaa'), Jaunpuri, Pilu, Bhimpalasi, Kafi, Des, Bihag and Aiman Kalyan. The leading voice was Jahanara Kajjan, supported by Vasant, Rehmat Bai and Moolchand. The semi-classical, thumri-leaning settings gave the film a distinctly old-school musical character even by 1943 standards.

Minerva Movietone was Sohrab Modi's studio, better known for its historical spectacles; Prarthana was one of its social dramas of the period. Dr. Safdar Aah Sitapuri served a triple role here as story writer, dialogue writer and lyricist. The film featured a young Mehboob Khan in an acting part as Ramu Kaka, years before his fame as a director.

Prarthana is notable in Hindi film-music history for a remarkable feat of composition: its music director Saraswati Devi — one of the very first women music directors in Indian cinema — set all ten of its songs in ten different Hindustani classical raags. In an era moving steadily toward lighter, rhythm-driven fare, this was an unusually raga-disciplined score.

Today Prarthana is remembered chiefly through its surviving songs — particularly Jahanara Kajjan's renditions like 'Tumhre Darshan Ka Naina Taras Gaye Ho' and 'Kahe Neha Lagaye Sajaniya' — which preserve a late example of the singing-star, raga-rooted style that the playback revolution would soon sweep aside.