GeorgeGirdleston at 21:42, 1 May 2026

2026-05-01T21:42:51Z

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{{Short description|1934 Bengali film}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Dhrubo
| image = Nazrul as Narad.jpg
| alt =
| caption = [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]] as [[Narada]]
| native_name = 
| director = {{ubl||Kazi Nazrul Islam||Satyendranath Dey}}
| writer =
| screenplay =
| story =
| based_on = {{Based on|Dhruba Charit|[[Girish Chandra Ghosh]]}}
| producer = Pioneer Films Company
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Joynarayan Mukhopaddhay
* Kazi Nazrul Islam
}}
| narrator =
| cinematography = T. Marconi
| editing =
| music = Kazi Nazrul Islam
| studio =
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|1934|01|01|ref1=<ref name="contribution">{{Cite web|title='ধ্রুব' ও নজরুল|url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/glitz/article1017384.bdnews|website=bdnews24|date= 27 August 2015|access-date=24 April 2025|first=Shanta|last=Maria}}</ref>}}
| runtime =
| country = British India
| language = Bangla
| budget =
| gross =
}}

'''''Dhrubo''''' is a 1934 Indian [[Bengali language|Bengali]] [[Mythological film|mythological]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] based on [[Girish Chandra Ghosh]]'s story ''Dhruba Charit'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=প্রতিবেদক |first=বিনোদন |date=2023-08-27 |title=নজরুল: ছিলেন অভিনেতা, চলচ্চিত্র পরিচালকও |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/song/%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%93 |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}}</ref> jointly directed by poet [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]] and Satyendranath Dey.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2013-08-27 |title=Nazrul in films |url=https://dhakamirror.com/entertainment/art-culture/nazrul-in-films/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Dhaka Mirror |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sudeshna Banerjee |title=Digital archive on poet opens in Nazrul Tirtha |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/digital-archive-on-poet-opens-in-nazrul-tirtha/cid/1396305 |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Raju |first=Zakir Hossain |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XXDfBQAAQBAJ&dq=Dhruba+Nazrul+Islam&pg=PA108 |title=Bangladesh Cinema and National Identity: In Search of the Modern? |date=2014-12-17 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-60181-4 |language=en}}</ref>

Child actor Probodh played the role of Dhruva, while Nityananda Ghatak portrayed the deity Vishnu (Shri Hari). The cast also included Miss Violet, Parul Bala, Angurbala, and others. Nazrul appeared as [[Narada]], the celestial sage in [[Hindu mythology]] known as a divine musician and messenger.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-29 |title=Booklets of Nazrul films also in archive |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/booklets-of-nazrul-films-also-in-archive/articleshow/93844081.cms |access-date=2024-04-19 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-14 |title=Kazi Nazrul film negative damaged during lockdown |url=https://timesofindia-indiatimes-com.translate.goog/city/kolkata/kazi-nazrul-film-negative-damaged-during-lockdown/articleshow/78095473.cms?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=bn&_x_tr_hl=bn&_x_tr_pto=tc |access-date=2024-04-19 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LqdQAQAAMAAJ&q=Dhruba+Nazrul+Islam |title=Bangladesh Quarterly |date=July 2008 |publisher=Department of Films & Publications, Government of Bangladesh |language=en}}</ref> In the narrative, Narada meets the meditative child Dhruva in the forest and instructs him on how to attain the grace of Vishnu.

This film was released on 1 January 1934 under the banner of Madan Theatres and Pioneer Films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dhrubo (1934) |url=https://indiancine.ma/CHZP |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>

==Plot==
There was a king named Uttampad in the purakal (ancient times). His wife Suniti used to worship lord Vishnu every day. They had no shortage of anything, the only thing that they did not have was a son. So Suniti arranged a marriage of his husband again with a beautiful princess Sundari. Even Sundari could not produce a child, but Sundari was able to do one thing. She forced the king to send Suniti into exile in a forest and losing his way in the jungle took shelter in Suniti's hut. After 5 years Suniti got back her husband. She gave birth to a son, named ''Dhruba''. Dhruba learnt worshipping Lord Hari from his mother. One day Dhruba came to know that he was actually the son of king Uttampad. Without informing her mother five year old Dhruba went to king's palace and begged for food and cloth from the king. As the king came to know who was Dhruba he was about to place Dhruba on the throne, Suniti came and rebuked Dhruba. Dhruba came to Suniti in her jungle hut. He came to know if he could get the blessing of Lord Hari he would get every thing including his father. Dhruba went to deep jungle and started meditation. At last getting impressed by Dhruba Lord Narayan blessed Dhruba. King Uttampad took back Dhruba and queen Suniti to his kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dhruba (1934) |url=https://www.filmiclub.com/movie/dhruba-1934-bengali-movie |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=FilmiClub |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Film Career of Kazi Nazrul |url=https://rebelpoetnazrul.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/3/1/3931169/film_career_of_kazi_nazrul_islam.pdf |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>

==Cast==
* Joynarayan Mukhopadhyay as King Uttampad
* [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]] as Narada
* [[Tulsi Chakraborty]]
* Angurbala
* Master Probodh
* Nityananda Ghatak
* Kunjalal Chakraborty
* Kartik Chandra De
* Miss Violet
* Parulbala

== Production ==
In the 1930s, Kazi Nazrul Islam was appointed as a music director at Madan Theatres, a film production company owned by the Parsi couple Piroj Madan and his wife. In 1933, Mrs. Piroj Madan founded the Pioneer Films Company. Dhruba was produced under this banner and was co-directed by Kazi Nazrul Islam and Satyendranath Dey.<ref name="contribution" />

== Music ==
Of the 18 songs featured in the film, 17 were written and composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam. He performed one solo and one duet with child actor Probodh, as playback singing had not yet been introduced at the time. The songs written and composed by Nazrul for the film include:
"Jago Byathar Thakur", "Abirata Badal Barshichhe", "Chomke Chopola Meghe Mogon Gogon", "Dhular Thakur", "Harinamer Sudha", "Ami Rajar Kumar", "He Dukkhohoron Bhakter Shoron", "Shishu Natobor Neche Jay", "Madhur Chhonde Nache Anonde", "Gohon Bone Shri Hari Namer", "Dao Dekha Dao Dekha", "Phutilo Manas Madhabi Kunje" (performed by Nazrul himself), "Hridipadme Choron Rakho", "Phire Ay Ore Phire Ay", "Nacho Bonamali", "Joi Pitambar Shyam Sundar", and "Kadis Na Ar Kadis Na".<ref name="contribution" />

== Cultural significance ==
''Dhruba'' holds exceptional cultural significance in South Asian film history as it was directed by Kazi Nazrul Islam, arguably the first Muslim filmmaker in the Indian subcontinent. The film is particularly notable for featuring Nazrul—a Muslim artist—both directing and acting in a Hindu mythological narrative, exemplifying the cultural syncretism of the period. He composed 17 of the film's 18 songs and provided playback for four, demonstrating his multifaceted artistic contribution.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Dasgupta |first=Priyanka |date=14 September 2020 |title=Kazi Nazrul film negative damaged during lockdown |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kazi-nazrul-film-negative-damaged-during-lockdown/articleshow/78095473.cms |access-date=24 April 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Preservation ==
Regrettably, the film's original nitrate negatives deteriorated during the COVID-19 Lockdown due to inadequate preservation, leading to the loss of this cinematic piece. Only a few clips survive, some of which are accessible online.<ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|5629086}}

[[Category:1934 films]]
[[Category:1934 Indian films]]
[[Category:1934 fantasy films]]
[[Category:1934 Bengali-language films]]
[[Category:Bengali-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Hindu devotional films]]
[[Category:Religious drama films]]
[[Category:Indian religious epic films]]
[[Category:Hindu mythological films]]
[[Category:1930s fantasy drama films]]
[[Category:Indian fantasy drama films]]
[[Category:Bengali-language fantasy drama films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Works by Kazi Nazrul Islam]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Kazi Nazrul Islam]]
[[Category:Indian mythology in popular culture]]

Dhruba - Revision history

GeorgeGirdleston at 21:42, 1 May 2026