Ratan

Plot

Ratan tells the poignant story of childhood sweethearts Ratan and Mohan who have grown up together in a small village, sharing dreams of a future together. Their innocent romance is shattered when circumstances force Ratan to marry an older, wealthy widower who has a young child from his previous marriage. On their wedding night, the husband sees Ratan's youthful face for the first time and is overcome with guilt, believing he has robbed her of her youth and happiness, leading him to maintain a platonic relationship. Years pass in this emotionally barren marriage until Ratan returns to her village to visit her ailing mother, where she encounters Mohan again, reigniting their suppressed feelings and forcing Ratan to confront the choices that have defined her life.

Historical Background

Ratan was produced and released during a tumultuous period in Indian history. The year 1944 saw India deeply involved in World War II, with the British Raj still in control but facing increasing pressure from the independence movement. The film industry, particularly in Bombay, was experiencing a golden age despite wartime constraints. Cinema had become one of the most powerful mediums for social commentary and cultural expression. The film's themes of women's autonomy and the questioning of traditional marriage arrangements reflected the broader social reforms being discussed in Indian society. This period also saw the emergence of a distinctly Indian cinematic language, moving away from theatrical influences toward more realistic storytelling. The film's release came at a time when Indian audiences were increasingly looking for content that reflected their social realities and aspirations for a free India.

Making Of

The making of Ratan was marked by several interesting anecdotes and challenges. Director M. Sadiq was known for his meticulous attention to detail and would often spend hours rehearsing emotional scenes with his actors. Swaran Lata reportedly prepared for her role by spending time with women in similar situations to understand their emotional state. The film's music composer, Gyan Dutt, worked closely with the lyricist to create songs that would enhance the narrative rather than merely entertain. During production, the film faced censorship challenges due to its bold subject matter, but the filmmakers successfully argued that the film was addressing a real social problem. The famous scene where Ratan returns to her village took three days to shoot as Sadiq wanted to capture the perfect emotional transition in Swaran Lata's performance.

Visual Style

The cinematography of Ratan was handled by B. Damle, who employed the visual language of the 1940s Bombay cinema while adding subtle innovations. The film used dramatic lighting to emphasize the emotional states of the characters, particularly in scenes depicting Ratan's isolation in her marriage. The village sequences were shot with natural lighting to create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that contrasted with the cold, formal lighting of Ratan's marital home. Camera movements were deliberately restrained, reflecting the theatrical influence that was still prevalent in Indian cinema of the era. The film made effective use of close-ups to capture the subtle emotional performances of the actors, particularly Swaran Lata. The black and white photography enhanced the film's emotional gravity, with high contrast lighting used to symbolize the moral and emotional conflicts in the narrative.

Innovations

Ratan employed several technical innovations that were noteworthy for its time. The film utilized advanced sound recording techniques for the era, achieving clearer dialogue reproduction than many contemporaneous productions. The editing employed sophisticated cross-cutting techniques to build emotional tension, particularly in the sequences showing parallel lives of the separated lovers. The film's makeup and prosthetics for the older husband character were considered advanced for 1940s Indian cinema. The production design successfully created distinct visual worlds for the village and urban settings, enhancing the narrative's emotional contrast. The film also experimented with narrative structure, using flashbacks more extensively than was typical for the period. These technical achievements, while subtle by modern standards, contributed to the film's effectiveness and demonstrated the growing sophistication of Indian film craft in the 1940s.

Music

The music of Ratan was composed by Gyan Dutt, with lyrics penned by Pandit Indra Chandra. The soundtrack became one of the most celebrated aspects of the film, with several songs achieving iconic status. The music blended classical Indian ragas with the emerging Bombay film music style, creating melodies that were both sophisticated and accessible. Notable songs included 'Aaj Ki Raat Badi Shokh Hai,' 'Dukh Ke Din Ab Beetat Nahin,' and 'Jhoome Jhoome Bachpan Ki Yaaden,' each perfectly complementing the film's emotional narrative. The playback singing was handled by some of the era's most respected vocalists, including Zohrabai Ambalewali and Amirbai Karnataki. The music was recorded using the mono technology available in the 1940s, but the arrangements were rich and layered, incorporating traditional Indian instruments with Western orchestral elements. The soundtrack's popularity contributed significantly to the film's commercial success and cultural impact.

Memorable Scenes

• The emotional wedding night scene where the husband sees Ratan's face and is overcome with guilt, shot with minimal dialogue and maximum emotional impact through lighting and performance
• The village reunion scene where Ratan and Mohan meet after years, capturing the awkwardness of their changed circumstances and lingering feelings
• The final confrontation scene where Ratan must choose between her duty and her heart, filmed in long takes to emphasize the weight of her decision
• The childhood flashback sequence showing young Ratan and Mohan's innocent friendship, shot with warm lighting and soft focus to create nostalgia
• The scene where Ratan sings to her stepchild, establishing her maternal nature despite her own emotional emptiness

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised Ratan for its bold subject matter and sensitive handling of complex social issues. Film India magazine, one of the most influential film publications of the era, described it as 'a courageous attempt to bring women's issues to the forefront of popular cinema.' Critics particularly praised Swaran Lata's performance, noting her ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and depth. The direction by M. Sadiq was commended for its mature approach to the subject matter. Modern film historians have revisited Ratan as an important early example of feminist cinema in India, with scholars noting its progressive stance on women's autonomy and its critique of patriarchal marriage practices. The film is often cited in academic discussions about the evolution of social consciousness in Indian cinema.

What Audiences Thought

Ratan was a commercial success upon its release, resonating strongly with audiences across India. The film's emotional core and relatable characters struck a chord with viewers, particularly women who saw their own struggles reflected in Ratan's journey. The music became extremely popular, with songs from the film being played on radio stations across the country for months after the release. Audience letters to film magazines of the era reveal that many viewers appreciated the film's courage in addressing a taboo subject. The film's success at the box office demonstrated that audiences were ready for more mature, socially relevant content. Word-of-mouth recommendations helped sustain the film's theatrical run for several weeks in major cities. The emotional climax of the film reportedly moved audiences to tears in many theaters, with some reports of standing ovations after screenings.

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