Songs of Paradise is written and directed by Danish Renzu, stars Saba Azad and Soni Razdan as the leading character of Zeba aka Noor Begum. The film is inspired by the life and the songs of Kashmir’s legendary singer, Raj Begum (1927-2016). The film explores her story with bravery, which she showed at a time when women’s basic rights were limited and opportunities in the arts were scarce. Named as Noor Begum in the film, she is seen being the change she hoped for and paving the way for more freedom and talent for the women of Kashmir.
Stars: 3/5
The film begins with Soni Razdan as Noor Begum discussing the rights for her team and artists while renewing her own contract with the station. Strict with her rules and the expectations for her young students, Noor Begum lives up to the name and legacy she created on her own. Meanwhile, a young boy from Mumbai comes to visit her to learn of her story, but, unsure of his intentions, Noor Begum refuses to talk to him.
When she does cross paths with him, she begins to tell the story of her incredible hurdles to become a singer, the right to learn, earn and live as herself and fulfil her passion for music. Saba Azad is seen playing a younger Noor Begum at the beginning of her career, and how her love for music brought her closer to everything she built in her life. As the older Noor Begum recalls her story, the same has been depicted through Saba Azad’s performance. Both actresses get good moments to showcase the depth of Noor Begum’s character and the growth in her through the decades.
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Some of the biggest challenges she faces don’t just come from society but from her own family. And her experience as a young girl in the 1950s is still similar to what a lot of young girls and women still go through today. It makes the film more relatable as the experience is personal, especially when society, neighbours start praising her work, that’s when her mother accepts her mistakes.
While the story is about bringing in a major change, setting new paths, the film Songs of Paradise remains a personal recollection of memories more than the story of a hero or a revolution. The focus remains on Noor Begum’s songs, her art and her passion for the craft of it; everything else is a byproduct of her hard work and her sacrifices. The softer approach towards the story, the performances that reflect the time and elegance of Urdu, along with the stunning soundtrack, makes this a great watch.
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Meanwhile, Zain Khan Durrani as Noor’s husband, Azad, Sheeba Chaddha as Noor’s mother and Lillete Dubey as a supporting character add charm with their effortless performance, but Saba and Soni Razdan’s performances really take the cake. They showcase the extremes of the same character which comes with age, but in the quiet moments, it’s evident how similar they are.
Overall, Songs of Paradise isn’t just about depicting the lost history and recounting how far we have come, but also a way to keep the music and the elegant art of the old alive in whatever way possible.
Cover Image: Instagram
