''Gopal Krishna'' is a

1938 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...

Marathi and Hindi mythological social film from

Prabhat Film Company Prabhat Film Company (popularly known as Prabhat Films) was an Indian film production company and film studios founded in 1929 by the noted film director V.Shantaram and his friends. It was formed in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India in 1929, towar ...

. The film was a remake of Prabhat Film Company's first silent film '' Gopal Krishna'' (1929). It was made in

Marathi Marathi may refer to: *Marathi people, an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group of Maharashtra, India *Marathi language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people *Palaiosouda, also known as Marathi, a small island in Greece See also * * ...

and Hindi simultaneously. The film was directed by Sheikh Fattelal and V. G. Damle and starred

Ram Marathe Ramchandra Purushottam Marathe (23 October 1924 – 4 October 1989), also known as Pandit Ram Marathe, was a Marathi music director, singer, and actor on stage and in films. As a child actor, he performed the title role of Krishna in Prabhat Film ...

Shanta Apte Shanta Apte (1916–1964) was an Indian actress-singer who worked in Marathi and Hindi cinema. Renowned for her roles in films like ''Duniya Na Mane/Kunku'' (1937) and '' Amar Jyoti'' (1936) under the Prabhat Films banner, she was active in In ...

, Parshuram, Prahlad, Ulhas and Ganpatrao. The story was written by Shivram Vashikar and the music was by Krishnarao. Based on the young Lord Krishna, the story is less mythology and more about a social awareness for change. The film was made during the pre-independent India era when the resentment against

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

rule was high. The film makers metaphorically used the story of the boy Krishna and the cowherds against the oppressive King

Kamsa Kamsa ( sa, कंस, Kaṃsa, translit-std=IAST) was the tyrant ruler of the Vrishni kingdom, with its capital at Mathura. He is variously described in Hindu literature as either a human or an asura; The Puranas describe him as an asura, whi ...

, portraying the feelings of the Indians against the British mainly through dialogue.

Plot

The story is based in Gokul where the young playful Krishna resides with his foster mother Yashodha and father Nanda. He tends cows along with other young cowherds. Gokul is ruled by the despotic King Kamsa who has Krishna's real parents in custody. He is intent on killing Krishna to prevent the prophecy of his death through Krishna coming true. Krishna incites the village people against Kamsa's oppressive regime. He prevents 500 cows being sent to Kamsa who demands that the people of Gokul do so. He battles Kamsa's General Keshi and defeats him when he is sent to kill him. The only miracle shown in the film is when Kamsa unleashes rain (unlike the other Puranic stories where the rain is brought about by the Rain God Indra) and Krishna lifts the Govardhan hill to shelter the people under it.

Cast

as Krishna *

as Radha * Shankar as Anay * Parsharam as Mansukh * Prahlad as Kuns * Ullhas as Keshi * Manajirao as Nand * Karunadevi as Yashoda

Production

The sets for the filming were constructed in Poona where the Prabhat film Company was situated. The cows needed for the shoot were transported from Dombivili a suburb in Bombay to Poona by train. The cattle were allowed to roam freely on the sets.

Soundtrack

Master Krishnarao was the music director and some of the songs are still popular today. The songs were sung by Hansa Apte, Ram Marathe and Parshuram and the lyricist was Pandit Anuj.

Songs

References

External links

* * * {{V. Shantaram 1938 films 1930s Hindi-language films Prabhat Film Company films Articles containing video clips Indian black-and-white films