Sound of Heaven: The Story of Balgandharva (2011) (6/10)

The film is somewhere between a documentary and a movie. Upto the interval it moves connectedly, building a picture, and then the director is in a hurry to show all the remaining important bits in the life of the great singer 'Balgandharva' mostly through the actions of others, especially in the later part of his life.

The story of the inseparableness of males roles of females in the plays is brought out, but many other aspects are inexplicable. While Balgandharva's sticking to his guns (lavishness on the stage, not accepting gift money) may seem principled on the one hand, his manner of throwing away the money is again strange. I am not sure which part of it is the directorial license. Same is true with his scene with his wife. It has to have bene imagined by the director since there is no way it could have been communicated to anyone, or through anyone.

Most of the songs are good as are many of the performances, but the jumpy nature of the story ensures that you will not remember many of the performers.