 is a classic Hindi film directed by Guru Dutt. Despite its initial box-office failure, it became a landmark in Indian cinema, reflecting society, idealism, and loneliness with soul-stirring music by S.D. Burman and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi and Shailendra.){kind=link}
Kaagaz Ke Phool (Paper flower) is a 1959 Hindi romantic film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who was also in the lead role. Waheeda Rehman was the Heroine. It was the first film in cinema scope. Guru Dutt was ahead of his time. Although it was a box office failure, later became a classic. Today it is a part of film schools. Music director was S.D. Burman Lyrics by Kaifi Azmi and Shailendra. The story was written by Abrar Alvi. It is praised as a self reflexive film.
Guru Dutt was a self introspective man. His three films-Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool and Saheb, Bibi aur Ghulam speak of his total personality. In these films he has expressed his agony and dissatisfaction with society. The lyrics are very melancholic and heart touching.
Waqt ne kiya,
Hum rahe na hum
Tum rahe na tum
Bekrar dil isi tarah mile
Jis tarah hum Kabhi Juda na the.
Chal pade Kadam
Par rashta nahin.
Kya Talaash hai
Kuchh pata nahin.
One will think that these lines have been written by sahir ludhianvi. But he has not written. Kaifi Azmi and Shuilandra have written.
Guru Dutt was an Ideal person. But he suffered from this idealism. In Kaagaz ke Phool the role he played is almost akin to his real life. In the end of the film, remembering his glorious past, he dies sitting on the Director’s chair in an empty film studio, a lonely forgotten man.
Dekhi Yamane ki yaari
Bichhde Sabhi bari bari.
Matlab Ke Duniya he Saari.
Bichhde Sabhi bari bari.
Udja Udja pyaase bhanware
Kaagaz ke phool yehan khilte hain.
Baithna un gulzaron mein.
Ek haath se deti ye duniya
Do haathon se le leti hai.
Ye khel hai kab se.
Kya leke chalen is duniya se
Aanso ke siba kuchh paas nahin.
Guru Dutt presented a drastic picture of life. Some one has said- Try to correct the society at least where you are involved. Society is not infallible. It is prone to mistakes. So from moral point of view society should be corrected where and when it is needed. I agree with Guru Duttt. Again Betrand Russel has said this world is a bad world. Try to remain independent of it. If you can not change it, remain out side of it. Both Guru Dutt and Russel are correct. Kaagaz ke phool is a real portrayl of this philosophy.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.
(Photo has collected from net )