''Caminho das Índias'' ( lit: ''Path to the Indies''; English title: ''India: A Love Story'') is a Brazilian primetime

telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar Drama (film and television), drama genres around the w ...

produced and broadcast by

TV Globo TV Globo (stylized as tvglobo; , ), formerly known as Rede Globo de Televisão (; shortened to Rede Globo) or simply known as Globo, is a Brazilian free-to-air Television broadcasting, television network, launched by media proprietor Roberto M ...

from 19 January to 11 September 2009, with 203 episodes. Written by Glória Perez, directed by Marcos Schechtman. Starring Juliana Paes, Rodrigo Lombardi, Letícia Sabatella, Tânia Khallil, Débora Bloch, Alexandre Borges and Bruno Gagliasso. The plot examines the differences in beliefs and values of the Eastern and

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

world. Shot on location in India and Rio de Janeiro, it was Globo's first winning telenovela at the

International Emmy Awards The International Emmy Awards, or International Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based International Academy of Television Arts and Sc ...

Overview

The title can be interpreted in two ways: it is Portuguese for " Route to the Indies" (literally) or "India's Way" (figuratively). The story is set during India's transition into a modern democracy, mostly in the period of the 1990s to 2000s, with many prominent flashbacks to the 1950s and 1970s. The story is equally divided between continents, from

Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...

, Brazil, to

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...

, India, with some scenes in

Dubai Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...

. Themes include love, reason, sanity, insanity, and tradition versus modernity. The story highlights the contrasts of values and belief systems in the West and the East, told through families, their friends, and the complex mesh of relationships which connect them.

Plot

One of the main plot points is a forbidden love between castes. Maya, a charming call-centre employee in Rajasthan, comes from the Vaishya trader caste. While her parents try to arrange a marriage for her, she falls in love with Bahuan, which she declares to her parents. She does not understand Bahuan's misgivings until learning that he is the orphaned son of

Dalit Dalit ( from meaning "broken/scattered") is a term used for untouchables and outcasts, who represented the lowest stratum of the castes in the Indian subcontinent. They are also called Harijans. Dalits were excluded from the fourfold var ...

(untouchable) servants who were burned at the stake for accidentally touching their master's shadow. They plan a future together while her parents arrange a marriage to Raj Ananda, and Bahuan works toward his career, eventually becoming a partner in a Brazilian company. Meanwhile, Raj falls in love with Brazilian Duda, who initially fights for Raj's affections but the cultural conflicts exhaust and disillusion her, and she turns away from Raj for a new love. Ravi then falls in love with a Brazilian woman, Camilla. As she tries to adapt to Hindu culture, she provokes conflict in the Ananda family of tradespeople, as Raj's younger sister Shanti aspires to become educated and eschews the traditional roles for women favoured by her mother. Ravi and Camilla eventually marry.

Production

Locations

Artistic and general director Marcos Schechtman and director Fred Mayrink traveled to

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

to write the telenovela's first scenes, which began filming on 1 October 2008 in the cities of

Jaipur Jaipur (; , ) is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and the List of cities and towns in Rajasthan, largest city of the north-western States and union territories of India, Indian state of Rajasthan. , the city had ...

and

Agra Agra ( ) is a city on the banks of the Yamuna river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about south-east of the national capital Delhi and 330 km west of the state capital Lucknow. With a population of roughly 1.6 million, Agra is the ...

. In addition to 40 people from the Brazilian team, the telenovela had partnered with a local producer. The modern architecture of Dubai, in the

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...

, also served as filming locations for the show at the end of October.

Sets and art direction

In order to recreate the environment for the story, three-city sets were constructed at Projac in Rio de Janeiro, totalling . One of these sets imitates the typical architecture of the Lapa neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while the other two attempt to recreate features of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Using the cities of Jaipur,

Jodhpur Jodhpur () is the second-largest city of the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, after its capital Jaipur. As of 2023, the city has a population of 1.83 million. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Jodhpur district and ...

and

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

as references, the art director built 42 shops and a temple of

Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...

, in addition to the street façade for a movie theater, and terracota-colored households of the four main Indian families of the story. One of the margins of the

Ganges The Ganges ( ; in India: Ganga, ; in Bangladesh: Padma, ). "The Ganges Basin, known in India as the Ganga and in Bangladesh as the Padma, is an international which goes through India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China." is a trans-boundary rive ...

was also reproduced, through an artificial lake built near the entrance of the studio complex. The art production team, led by Mario Monteiro, attempted to reproduce an Indian universe on camera. The Indian core of the telenovela received a very colorful ambiance, with Hindi inscriptions, in comparison to the clean aesthetics of the Brazilian scenarios. The sets were dressed with Indian items which were purchased or reproduced, and vehicles used in India were built by the team to fill the street of the artificial city. The wardrobe was also carefully studied by Emilia Duncan. Women's traditional clothes, such as the sari were recreated, although with a bit of poetic license, thus bringing some clothing usually used in rituals for the everyday wearing.

Cast

;Invited Actresses

Soundtrack

Caminho das Índias vol. 1, ''National''

Cover: Juliana Paes # Beedi – Sukhwinder Singh &

Sunidhi Chauhan Sunidhi Chauhan (pronounced ; born Nidhi Chauhan, 14 August 1983) is an Indian playback singer. Known for her Bold vocal range, she has recorded songs for films in several Indian languages and List of awards and nominations received by Sunidhi ...

(opening theme) # Eu Nasci Há Dez Mil Anos Atrás –

Nando Reis Nando Reis (, born José Fernando Gomes dos Reis; January 12, 1963) is a Brazilian musician and producer, best known as the former bassist and one of the lead singers of Brazilian rock band Titãs and for his successful solo career, with his own ...

(India's location theme) # Pára-Raio – Skank (Murilo's theme) # Uma Prova De Amor – Zeca Pagodinho (Castanho and Suellen's theme) # Vamos Fugir (Gimme Your Love) –

Gilberto Gil Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira (; born 26 June 1942), is a Brazilian singer-songwriter and politician, known for both his musical innovation and political activism. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Brazil's Ministry of Culture (Brazil), Minister of ...

(Tarso and Tônia's theme) # Ela Disse –

Marcelo D2 Marcelo Maldonado Peixoto (born November 5, 1967), also known as Marcelo D2, is a Brazilian rapper, singer and songwriter, co-founder of Planet Hemp. Biography A former vocalist of the band Planet Hemp, he started his solo career in 1998 ...

(Júlia's theme) # Memórias – Pitty (Inês theme) # Martelo Bigorna – Lenine (Yvone's theme) # Nada Por Mim – Paula Toller (Camila's theme) # Alma – Zélia Duncan (Melissa and Ramiro's theme) # Sob Medida – Isabella Taviani # Lembra De Mim – Emílio Santiago (Sílvia's theme) # Amor, Meu Grande Amor – Ângela Rô Rô (Chiara and Murilo's theme) # Não Se Esqueça De Mim – Nana Caymmi & Erasmo Carlos (Maya and Bahuan's theme) # Feliz – Gonzaguinha (Raj and Duda's theme) # O Vento Vai Responder (Blowin' in the Wind) – Zé Ramalho (Dayse's theme) # Dois pra lá, dois pra cá –

Elis Regina Elis Regina Carvalho Costa (March 17, 1945 – January 19, 1982), known professionally as Elis Regina (), was a Brazilian singer of Bossa nova, Música popular brasileira, MPB and jazz music. She is also the mother of the singers Maria Rita and ...

(Rio de Janeiro's location theme) # Até Quem Sabe – Nara Leão (Raul's theme) # Sufoco da Vida – Harmonia Enlouquece # Você Não Vale Nada – Calcinha Preta (Norminha's theme)

Caminho das Índias vol. 2, ''Indian''

# Beedi Jalaile –

, Sukhwinder Singh, Nachiketa Chakraborty and Clinton Cerejo (opening theme) # Kajra Re –

Alisha Chinai Alisha Chinai (born 18 March 1965) is an Indian pop singer known for her Indi-pop albums as well as playback singing in Hindi cinema. She began her singing career with the album ''Jadoo'' in 1985, and by the 1990s she had become known as the ' ...

, Shankar Mahadevan and Javed Ali # Nagada Nagada – Sonu Nigam and Javed Ali # Sajna Ve Sajna –

# Main Vari Vari – Kavita Krishnamurti and Reena Bhardwaj (theme of Maya and Bahuan) # Mast Kalandar –

# Chori Chori Hum Gori Se – Abhijeet and

Udit Narayan Udit Narayan Jha (born 1 December 1955) is an Nepali and Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured mainly in Hindi cinema, Hindi films. He has also sung in various other languages including Telugu language, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil ...

# Salaam-E-Ishq – Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal # Salaam –

Alka Yagnik Alka Yagnik (born 20 March 1966) is an Indian playback singer who works predominantly in Hindi cinema. One of the most prominent singers of 1990s era Bollywood, she has received several accolades, including two National Film Awards, two Ben ...

# Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah – Mohammed Aslam,

Javed Akhtar Javed Akhtar (born 1945) is an Indian screenwriter, lyricist and poet. Known for his work in Hindi cinema, he has won five National Film Awards, and received the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007, two of India's highest civili ...

and Bonnie Chakraborty # Bangra Jaya – Alexandre de Faria

Caminho das Índias vol. 3, ''Lapa''

Cover: Juliana Alves # Eu vou pra Lapa – Alcione # Malandro é malandro, mané é mané – Diogo Nogueira (theme of César and Ilana) # Só faltou você Lado a Lado B – Leandro Sapucahy # Vaso Ruim – Casuarina (theme of Radesh) # Tristeza Pé no Chão – Teresa Cristina & Grupo Semente # Amor de verdade – Beth Carvalho # Errei – Sururu na Roda (live) # Pretinha Jóia Rara – Moyseis Marques # Em Desfile Chatos – Jota Canalha # Sal e Pimenta – Gabriel o Pensador # Puro êxtase – Barão Vermelho # Anjo da madrugada – Babi Xavier (theme of Duda and Lucas) # Lourinha Bombril (Parate y mira) – Bangalafumenga # Legal, Vou ficar – Quatro Fatos # Põe aê uma música – DJ Alex Guedes # Uma flor uma raiz – Fino # Coletivo Mezcla – Riosalsa (theme of Suellen and Ademi)

Caminho das Índias vol. 4, ''International''

# " Halo" –

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, ...

(theme of Yvone) # " Thinking of You" –

Katy Perry Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is one of the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists in hist ...

(theme of Bahuan and Shivani) # Orishas – Público # " Never Gonna Be Alone" –

Nickelback Nickelback is a Canadian Rock music, rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta, Hanna, Alberta. Throughout its history, it has consisted of lead guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan ...

(theme of Tônia and Tarso) # Tip of My Tongue – Something Sally feat. Joss Stone (theme of Aída and Darío) # Small Talk – Ovi # To Love you All Over Again –

Madeleine Peyroux Madeleine Peyroux (born April 19, 1974) is an American jazz singer and songwriter who began her career as a teenager on the streets of Paris. She sang vintage jazz and blues songs before finding mainstream success in 2004 when her album ''Carele ...

(theme of Chiara) # " Sober" –

Pink Pink is a pale tint of red, the color of the Dianthus plumarius, pink flower. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century. According to surveys in Europe and the United States, pink is the color most often associated with charm, p ...

# " Use Somebody" –

Kings of Leon Kings of Leon is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, in 1999. The band includes brothers Caleb, Nathan, and Jared Followill and their cousin Matthew Followill. The band's early music was a blend of Southern roc ...

# Lies –

McFly McFly are a British pop rock band formed in London in 2003. The band took their name from the ''Back to the Future (franchise), Back to the Future'' character Marty McFly. The band consists of Tom Fletcher (lead vocals, guitar, and piano), Da ...

(theme of Zeca) # Madly – Tristan Prettyman (theme of Duda and Lucas) # Quando e se – Ari Hest (theme of Silvia and Murilo) # Lay Lady Lay – Dan (theme of Dr. Castanho and Suellen) # I'm in the Mood for Love – Daniel Boaventura (theme of Maya and Raj) # All the Way – Ronaldo Canto e Mello (theme of Camila and Ravi) # Smoke Gets in Your Eyes – Oséas (theme of Shankar y Laksm)

Caminho das Índias vol. 5, ''Instrumental''

# Os portais do Taj Mahal – Alexandre de Faria (General theme) # Tema de Maya e Bahuan – Alexandre de Faria (theme of Maya and Bahuan) # Quase um Intocável – Alexandre de Faria (Untouchable's theme) # Caminho das Índias – Alexandre de Faria (theme of general dance) # Nos passos de Shankar – Alexandre de Faria (theme of Shankar) # Meu Salaam – Alexandre de Faria (romantic theme) # Meditação e Karma – Alexandre de Faria (incidental theme) # Re Tchori – Alexandre de Faria (theme of general dance) # Habanera para Tarso – Alexandre de Faria (theme of Tarso) # Maxixe Chorado – Alexandre de Faria (theme of Lapa neighborhood) # Uma Canção sem Palavras – Alexandre de Faria (tema triste) # Tango da Ausência – Alexandre de Faria (theme of Lapa neighborhood) # Berceuse pour un Nuit – Alexandre de Faria (incidental theme) # Toda Levada – Alexandre de Faria

Awards

In November 2009, ''Caminho das Índias'' was recognized as Best Telenovela in the 2009

. In Brazil, it won four awards for Best Telenovela. The cast won several awards. Bruno Gagliasso won five awards for Best Supporting Actor. Dira Paes won four awards for Best Supporting Actress. Rodrigo Lombardi won two awards for Best Actor. Juliana Paes won one award for Best Actress.

References

External links

*
''Caminho das Índias'' (Official Website) (in Portuguese)

Official international trailer

Telenovela-World Bilingual Forum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Caminho das Indias 2009 telenovelas 2009 Brazilian television series debuts 2009 Brazilian television series endings TV Globo telenovelas Brazil–India cultural relations International Emmy Award for Best Telenovela Portuguese-language telenovelas Telenovelas by Glória Perez Television shows set in Rajasthan Television shows set in Rio de Janeiro (city) Television shows filmed in India Television shows set in Jaipur Television shows set in Uttar Pradesh Television shows filmed in the United Arab Emirates Television series set in the 1950s Television series set in the 1960s Television series set in the 1990s Television series set in the 2000s