Tarana (Anthem) is a 1951 Indian Hindi-language romance film, produced and written by K. S. Daryani, and directed by Ram Daryani. This film marks the first time the iconic pair Madhubala and Dilip Kumar were cast together.

The film opens on the wedding day of Dr. Motilal (Dilip Kumar), a doctor who is clearly reluctant about the impending marriage. As he reflects on his life, the story flashes back to his return to India after completing his medical education abroad. While en route to his home, Motilal’s plane crashes near a remote village in the mountains. The villagers rescue him and the other passengers, providing care and shelter.

Motilal plays a vital role in treating one of the critically injured survivors, which earns him the gratitude of the villagers. Motilal is given shelter by Surdas, a blind elderly man, and his cheerful, innocent daughter Tarana (Madhubala). The charming doctor and the beautiful village girl spend more time together, they fall deeply in love. In a significant gesture, Motilal even performs a surgery that restores Surdas’s eyesight, strengthening the bond between them.

However, not all is well. Unbeknownst to Motilal, his father has already arranged his marriage to Sheela, a wealthy city girl, without his consent. Meanwhile, Totaram, a wealthy villager, desires to marry Tarana and is displeased by her growing affection for Motilal. In his jealousy, Totaram spreads malicious rumors about Tarana, accusing her of losing her virtue by spending time with the “pardesi” (foreigner) Motilal when they go out for a sightseeing trip.

The tension reaches its peak during a sightseeing trip when Motilal suddenly falls ill and collapses in front of Tarana. As a heavy thunderstorm begins, she frantically helps him, and they take refuge in a small barn to escape the downpour. Meanwhile, Totaram, fueled by malice, gathers the villagers and leads them to the barn, bringing along Surdas.

When Surdas opens the barn door, he is horrified to see Motilal and Tarana alone together. Falling prey to Totaram’s slander, Surdas believes that Tarana has indeed compromised her character. After being beaten and chased out of the village, Motilal leaving Tarana heartbroken and their love in ruins.

Meanwhile, Totaram, still driven by jealousy and malice, goes a step further in destroying Tarana’s reputation. He spreads the vicious lie that Tarana is pregnant, bribing the village nurse, Kaneshi, to falsely confirm this.

Totaram even offers to marry Tarana, suggesting that he would “take the blame” for her supposed indiscretion, adding to the humiliation. Surdas, already devastated by what he believes is his daughter’s betrayal, is convinced of her guilt. In a fit of rage and despair, he makes the fateful decision to burn down their house with Tarana inside, believing that she has brought shame upon him and their family.

As the flames engulf their home, a guilt-ridden Totaram finally confesses to the villagers that Tarana is innocent and that he had fabricated the rumors about her relationship with Motilal. Overcome with remorse, Surdas realizes his terrible mistake too late. He rushes into the burning house to save Tarana, but tragically dies in the attempt.

At the same time, Motilal, determined to reunite with Tarana, returns to the village in search of her, only to be met with the horrific sight of her house burning to the ground. The film reaches a heartbreaking climax as the consequences of jealousy, deceit, and misunderstanding come crashing down.

Believing Tarana to be dead, Moti returns to the city in despair. Sheela, the woman his father arranged for him to marry, helps him through this difficult time, and with her support, he rebuilds his life, becoming a successful doctor. However, despite his efforts to move on, Moti cannot forget his sweet memories with Tarana, who continues to haunt his thoughts.

Convinced in his heart that Tarana is still alive, Moti feels her presence, yet he agrees to fulfill his father’s wish by marrying Sheela. Despite this, his heart remains troubled.

On the day of the wedding, Moti runs away, returning to the barn where he last saw Tarana. To his joy, he finds her alive. Initially, Tarana refuses to speak to him, believing that he has already married Sheela. When she learns the truth, she is overjoyed.

The chemistry between Dilip and Madhubala, it was pretty natural. The teasing scenes were so cute when Tarana finally finds Moti with Sheela while he’s asleep, it was heartbreaking. The rest of the cast is solid, Shyama who plays Sheela, Gope as Toteram or the actor who plays Tarana’s father. A special mention goes to the goat Saiyyan, whose leg was sporting a bandage for some reason nearing the end of the movie.

Anil Biswas  composed and wrote the soundtrack for the film. One of the most popular numbers was the duet “Seene Mein Sulagte Hai Armaan”,

Tarana was well received by critics. Baburao Patel, the editor of Filmindia magazine, wrote in his review: “Ram Daryani has directed the picture very well and shows plenty of imagination in love sequences. Both Dilip Kumar and Madhubala have lived their roles and their romantic sequences seem to take a hues from the real canvas of life.” Patel labelled Madhubala’s performance as her finest, in October 1951.

Photos courtesy Google. Excerpts taken from Google.