Holi in Oriya Film

The sequence of holi is a unique theme that can be visually exploited for a wonderful outcome. Relying on this notion, Oriya film directors have filmed a number of holi songs in their movies. Yet, the ‘Holi holi re holi, ranga rangeli nali’ song from Prashanta Nanda directed blockbuster movie ‘Balidan’ (1979) is the most popular one. Not only in the old films but holi songs and sequences have been used many a times by the directors both from the old and new generation. Himanshu Guru exclusively talks to some legends of Oriya film industry as well as some stars of the present era to dig out the essence of holi in Oriya film.

“Holi and rain are the two prime subjects to lure audience” says Prashanta Nanda, the top personality of Oriya film. He has made a number of super hit films and was the leading director cum actor in the seventies, eighties and nineties. More than that, he is the director and actor of the aforementioned song. “The song not only narrates celebration of holi in the rural areas of Orissa but it also showcases the mythological significance through ‘Dola yatra’, filmed in the song” Nanda said.

‘Balidan’ reflected the erstwhile social thinking about the struggle of a simple village guy to get justice. The film not only earned great appreciation but people were stunned to watch the songs where the holi song was one of the best.

“Not only have this song, but holi sequences and songs been put several times in oriya films. But there is a difference between observation of holi in urban and rural area and in that song I tried to focus on rural holi’ Nanda added.

“Even today once it comes to perform a holi song, the one from ‘Balidan’ is used in stage shows” said actress Rali Nanda. Rali has so far carved a niche for herself in Oriya film industry with her acting and dance prowess. “I have done a holi sequence in the Barada Tripathy directed film ‘Superstar’. ‘The best thing about holi is the colour and audience loves the seven colours on the silver screen a lot” Rali also said.

“I had done a holi song in film ‘Rudra’ that starred Anant and Madhu, the two lead actors of the film” said Abhijit Majumdar, a proficient music director cum singer of current Oriya films. According to him holi is the best occasion to make a song. “I feel overwhelmed when my director wants me to compose a holi song since this occasion offers ample scope. And I did not wanted to give the song to any other singer, but decided to sing it myself to bring the real essence of holi” he also said.

When asked whether Oriya audience accept occasional songs on Holi well or not, Abhijit answered in the affirmative. “Yes, why not? They will be happy to watch holi on the screen and it has been well tested” he added.

“My director wanted a holi song and I composed the ‘Holi holi re holi, ranga rangeli nali’ song for film Balidan, said Prafulla kar, the legendary singer and music director of Oriya films. Kar was the composer, singer and lyricist of the said song. 

“Celebrating holi in Oriya culture was not very much pompous earlier while it was celebrated in the north with much fanfare. So, when we put the song in the film in 1979, I think it brought a message about celebrating holi in Orissa involving a number of people. Perhaps that was the reason people accepted the song wholeheartedly” Kar also said.

“The song was also much needed for the sequence of the film and ‘Balidan’ was also a blockbuster. Prior to that I had recorded another holi song with HMV and thus during this song I could put my expertise to make it bloom” he added.

Not only in films, but holi is an occasion when Oriya film celebrities love to woo their fans with their presence at holi related events in the city. Holi is the day when everybody wants to live a colorful life. And film fraternity is not out of the society; rather what goes on in the society is only reflected via the scripts of a film. Hence, definitely Oriya film fans will be anxiously waiting for holi songs and sequences to watch on the screen in the coming days.