Aakrosh was released in 1980. It won the National Award for Best Feature Film that year. Reviews of Aakrosh talk about the gripping story...
Aakrosh was released in 1980. It won the National Award for Best Feature Film that year. Reviews of Aakrosh talk about the gripping story, the superb direction and the fine performances by the cast. Sadly, they omit another defining feature of the film: its music.
For a story that is a commentary on corruption and the victimisation of the underprivileged, the background music fits the story perfectly. It is, in keeping with the grim mood of the story, spartan at most places. The composer often allows silence to fill up the space, allowing your senses to be riveted on the screen. But when the moment demands it, the music mirrors the tension in the story and suddenly takes you by the throat. The use of instruments is minimal and eclectic. And of the three songs, Kanha Re and Saans Mein Dard are stunning adaptations of Hindustani classical music, while Tu Aisa Kaisa Marad is a superb lavani number. A remarkable piece of work all round, especially for a debutant.
If Aakrosh was Govind Nihalani’s debut as director, it was also Ajit Varman’s debut as independent music composer. Ajit who? Exactly. Ajit Varman was one of the most talented music composers you’ve probably never heard of.
Born in 1947 in Kolkata, Varman...
