“Gazal” is a 1964 Urdu romance musical film directed by Ved-Madan, starring Sunil Dutt as Ejaz, Meena Kumari as Naaz Ara Begum, and Prithviraj Kapoor as Nawab Bakar Ali Khan. The film, set in Agra, explores the right of the younger generation to marry for love, amidst the social customs of a traditional Muslim society.

Ejaz, an atheist and revolutionary poet who edits the newspaper Inquilab, defies the norms of traditional poetry, favoring free verse over classical forms like ghazals. His life takes a dramatic turn when he hears Naaz Ara Begum sing and is instantly captivated by her voice. Determined to meet her, Ejaz goes to great lengths, even borrowing her ghazal to recite at a mushaira hosted by her father, Nawab Bakar Ali Khan.

With the help of Naaz’s sister, Kausar, Ejaz and Naaz manage to meet secretly. However, their burgeoning romance faces opposition from multiple fronts. Naaz’s father, Nawab Bakar Ali Khan, disapproves of their relationship and wants Naaz to marry her cousin, Akhtar Nawab. When Nawab Bakar Ali Khan discovers their secret meetings, he becomes enraged and confronts Ejaz, leading to a dramatic showdown where he threatens Ejaz with a rifle.

The plot takes a tragic turn when Naaz, while trying to stop her father from harming Ejaz, suddenly loses her voice. This development raises questions about whether Ejaz will continue to love her now that the very thing that attracted him to her, her singing, is gone.

The film is known for its melodious music composed by Madan Mohan and its poetic lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. Songs like “Rang aur noor ki baaraat” and “Naghma-o-sher ki saugaat” stand out as highlights of the film. However, despite its musical strengths, the film has been critiqued for its slow pacing and the lack of depth in its romantic plot. The dialogues, though rich in Urdu, are often seen as more decorative than substantial.

Overall, “Gazal” is remembered for its exploration of themes like love, choice, and societal constraints, set against the rich cultural backdrop of its time. Despite its shortcomings in narrative execution, the film’s music and performances remain memorable.

Meena Kumari, though not at her best, is still beautiful, and Sunil Dutt is handsome as ever.

Photos courtesy Google.  Excerpts taken from Google.