September 1, 19S0 - THE CANADIAN INDIA TOMES ~ Page 7
KABZ
Directed by Subhash Ghail
Produced by JagJIt Khorana and Akbtar FarooW k
Reincarnation, the doctrine of transmigration of souls, and rebirth is part of Hindu Mythology though many non-Hindus also believe in the process of rebirth;
This doctrine evoked much interest abroad when some "rebirths' * came to the notice of scientists, medicos and others, Examination of several cases in Hndia and abroad have led experts to the speculation that reincarnation was possible.
The Indian mind generally does not ask for explanations, or proof of the existencemf reincarnation, it is a wholly accepted premise upon which Hinjdu philosophy and religion is based. It is, in short, a sure winner for the Indian filmmaker. He can indulge his fantasy - Mid his pocket if he feels so inclined - to its limits and the resultant film can be anything. It can be wildly extravagant, replete with mystery, suspense, dream sequences, murder � you; name it; It can also be a sobering reminder to viewers that retribution lurks somewhere aid like Nemesis, can creep up on the sinner any time; �
Giving such a carte blanche it is not surprising that, as a theme, ireincarnation is a prime favourite with Indian film-makers. A number of sUchi films have been made - some treated the theme with more seriousness; than others. Among, the oldies we have the evergreen favourites Mahal and Madhumatf, with their haunting theme songs. Then there were Neelkamal and Milan with the hero and heroine's repeated rebirths; the latest was Nagin with Reena Roy as the Nagln (serpent come to take ircvenge for the injustice done to her in her previous birth- That angry film-maker, BR: Ishara, who started out well with his exposition of duplicity and corruption in public life, also had a bash at it in Mllap. Reena Roy featured in it as the leading lady with Shatrughan Sinha as the reincarnation. Tapan Sinha was also tempted by the doctrine of transmigration of souls and came out with a Bengali film based on Rabindranath Tagore's story The Hungry Stones. In between we had Mahua wherein the lovers are reborn - to live happily ever after. This has been the finale of many hoary love-tales - Heer Ranjha . and so oh. The films show, in superimposition, the souls of the two lovers going up in the clouds to their heavenly abode persum-ably to be reborn
. Others have not been so committed to reincarnation in its entirety. They have made use of the infinitely wide scope it offers to explain the inexplicable as a device to build up suspense in what were nothing more than good old whodunits. In Woh Kaun Thl the hero is lured to what did not, fortunately, turn out to be his death by the 'reincarnation* of his love of previous birth. That she was not a reincarnation but just a look| alike decoy - allbeit close enough to the original for the hero to fall in love with - is just another twist giyen to this, by now rather hackneyed formula.
Western film-makers have also touched upon the subject, and other * mysterious' themes, among which are the occult and satan, and have come'out wiih several successful spine-chillers. Supreme among Western presentations of reincarnation are those that reincarnate the Devil. We have already had one such treat in The Omen, of which a second helping is in the offing. There too, some film makers have treated the theme lightly and built up - a, magnificent edifice of
awpense, only to flatten it out with a copd whack of rationale; Others have ladled it but with a |iberal ptych of irony and tongue-in-cheek humour.
Of the several films dealing irely with reincarnation one well-remembered isTheReincarnation *T Peter Proud on which this film* Kam.v is based. There are variations here and there but the plot-line of both the films is the same. The soul of a dead man, killed by his scheming wife to grab his huge" property and wealth, takes rebirth in another Wy. When the lattet; a young pop singer, moves in the environs of the deadman's estate, he sees visions of a vampish woman killing a beautiful young man. When he belts out a certain strain, glimpses of the dastardly happening come before his mind's eyes. Reaching the murder � spot, he is told by an Unknown Voice (goddess') that he is reincarnation of the dead man and how he had been done to death in his former birth by the scheming siren. Now the pop singer determines to take revenge on the woman-killer land her collaborators and also to rehabilitate the dead man's mother and sister, driven out of their palatial bungalow and reduced to penury, after the murder of their kin. That is the debt (tmrt) he owes to the dead man.
shades of a musical parade of songs and dances. Lakshmikant-Pyarelal's compositions are cap-| tivating and the dancing of Rishi Kapoor and Tina Muriim go weili with the young audience. Rishi-Kapoor is cast as he has been in aj number of films - a happy-go-lucky youngman, adept at smguig and dancing - with slight depar-f tures from unusual in nightmare ish visions of how he was killed in his former birth, llna Munim la the charming lady in this birth whom he has to win and wed. She looks girlish and has that inn* Tina charm about her.
JFbr the first time in her career, Simi Garewal essays a vampish role but manages to leave a �'good"impression about her evff temptress. Pran and Premanath have contrasting characters; as usual. Pran adds another feather to his character artist's cap. We are spared the tedium of the Premnath trait of swallowing his dialogue, as this time he is a mutp baddie. Durga Khote is Durgs Khote, the pity-evoking, synt-�pathetieSmo^^
The film starts out as a murder mystery but then takes on the
Subhash Ghai has mounted as a slick multi-starrer and h4$ done his best to make it ja large-scale extravagahza-laviahj sets, deluxe decor, novel ways p� song picturization, scenic locations and fanciful costumes. In this he is helped Iby his muski directors and cinematographcr Kamlakar Rao, who have turned in excellent work. t
Plan f o r d i a m o n d
Jabajpur (Madhya; Pradesh) Aug. 25 (UNI) - The In�an Government has prepared an integrated diamond exploration programme-' �   �
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDQ and the Mineral Exploration Corporation (MEC) have been entrusted with the task of cp-ordina-ting, processing and drilling, respectively, in the weak zone running from Dalmianagar, in Bihar, to Golkunda; in Andhra Pradesh, to locate more diamond reserve^ in the country.
Under the program, which has already been launched two test-
ing plants' are being set up iat Majhagawan in Panna district, and two othersf at Vijaywada and Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh.
; The p�#ductk>n manager of the NMDC's diamond mining pro, iin Panna, Mr. CP.K. Bane '' said 0$i[ was prospecting for volcanic pipes in the Panna and there was fpossibility ]of3 fmding indication of these near' Ramkheria, about 35 km from
Panna. - '
INDIA TOIMflDRT DATE PAIjM SHOOTS F110M WEST ASIA j
New Dieft   Aug. 25 (UNTjb India plaits to import date palm shoots from Iraq and some other West Asian countries for planting in the country's semi-arid areas.
Montreal, August 17
National Association of Canadians of Origins in India(NACOD held its 5th annual conference here. The conference started with the celebration of India-Canada Day on August 15. Quebec Minister for Cultural; Development Dr.Camille Laurin spoke on the occasion which was followed by a cultural program.
On the following morning the inaugural session was addressed by Prof.Irwin Cotler, President of Canadian Jewish Congress, Ms. Rita Cadieux of Canadian Human Rights Commission and Claude Ryan, Leader of Quebec liberal Party. Prof.Cotler spoke eloquently and cogently about the need for individual and human rights which drew repeated applause. He talked about need tor asserting ourselves and about placing individual rights above govern-. mental rights.   He  closed  by saying that justice is inihe hearts of people and no court or law can do much where this is absent. Clause Ryan in his long; and rather uninspired speech wanted multiculturalism to wait until the problems related to bilingualism is solved] (What a nerve !)
Seven workshops followed the morning session. The worksop on ''Canadian and Quebec public policy towards ethnic minorities was chaired by T.R.ANand of Montreal; and among the ptael members was Dr.Babusaheb Ubale, Ontario Human Rights Commission. Dr.Ratna Ghosh of Montreal ably chaired a session that discussed the problems of South jAsian Women in Canada. Dr.ICapu Desai of Toronto, Ms. Margaret Verma of Ottawa and Ms. Blanche Dhillon of Vancouver presented their point of view. Br.H.Jp.Nakra of Montreal along with panel members Dr.S.Bhat-iitagar of Ottawa, Dr.J.Bhatnagar of Montreal   and   Mrs.Manju
Anand of Ottawa and Robinson -Koilpillai of Edmonton brought out many issues that were of � great interest and some concern to the young, people who are growing up in Canada. A session on  4'Organising for Change" chaired by  Navin   Parekh of Ottawa, with Preetom Sunga and A.V.Thomas of Ottawa and K.S. Bhatti of Vancouver on the panel made an effort to suggest new horizons in organisational efforts.
After the luncheon the "World of Work" was the focus of attention for Dr.V.J.Modi of Vancouver, Dr.B.Ubale of Toronto and Ms. Annamma Joy of Montreal in their panel chaired by Dr.V.V.Baba of Montreal.Dr. Mukhdekar of Montreal chaired the session on "Political Participation". The panel consisted of B.S.Rao and Mr.DeSouza of Montreal, Dr.G.S.Paul of Edmonton and Dr.John Samuel of Ottawa. Problems of religious minorities received attention with participation from Ivan Pereira, Dr.M.N. S.Swamy arid Dr.J.Bagli of Montreal, Mrs.Nirmala Chopra of Ottawa and Mrs.R.Shah of Toronto.
The workshop chairpersons presented a summary of their workshop discussions at the plenary session that followed chaired by Dr.John Samuel.
The gala banquet at the Windsor Hotel, among others , was addressed by Pierre Deniger, M.P. A cultural program at the banquet with the theme 'East Meets West' presented by artistes from East and West was enjoyed by all.
cThe arrangements in Montreal were ably looked after by a local committee and Dr.R;N.Kanungo, G.Kheterpal, Dr.NP.V.Nair. Dr. H.LNakra, Dr.C.I.Petrps, Vmc-ent Planthara and P.L.De and many others.
New Delhi (IBS) - The Bangladesh Parliament has been assured by its foreign minister that the Bangladesh flag will soon be hoisted over two emerging islands in the Bay of Bengal. This appears to be a threat of a confrontation with India since the latter had first staked its claim and had; in fact, planted the tricolor on one of the islands with
help of the Border Security Forceo
Bangladesh had, of course, asked India to help it hold a joint survey of the islands to determine ownership. India has kept quiet, and the Bangladesh foreign minister stated that should India fail to comply, Bangladesh will take steps to establish its right to both islands.
The � � vtsssxiasai Medal from the Moscow Mmlstavr, Imttra GandU.
warn the Grid by the Prfanc