Dena Paona (film)

Dena Paona
A scene from Dena Paona, 1931 - first Bengali talkie
Directed by	Premankur Atorthy
Produced by	New Theatres
Written by	Saratchandra Chattopadhyay
Starring	Bhanu Bannerjee Durgadas Bannerjee
Music by	Nripen Majumder Rai Chand Boral
Cinematography	Nitin Bose
Release date(s)	24 December 1931
Country	India
Language	Bengali

Dena Paona ^[1][2](Bengali: দেনা পাওনা) is a 1931 Bengali film directed by Premankur Atorthy, starring Amar Mullick, Durga Das Bannerjee, Jahar Ganguly, Nibhanani Devi and Bhanu Bandyopadhyay. Based on a novel by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay and produced by New Theatres, it is credited as the one of first Bengali talkies, and along with Alam Ara, was one of the first sound films produced in India. The film explored the ills of the dowry system as well as touching on the problems of female oppression in 19th century Bengal.

Plot

Jibananda is a drunkard zamindar. Ekkari is his companion in all sinful deeds and greed for money. Sorashi is the priestess in the local Chandi temple and the ex-wife of Jibananda . She is adamant and responsible, but stubborn and honest. She has immense influence in certain sections of the society. Jibananda knew Sorashi. When he was young, he married her. Then she was known as Alaka. Circumstances force Sorash to stay whole night in the drunk Jibananda's house. This created a ripple amongst the local villagers when they come to know about this incidence. But Sorashi gave a legal statement to the police and magistrate that she went to the zamindar's house villingly. Jibananda was freed from all offences due to this statement. But the village leaders were very strict to their decision. Sanbeswar Shiromani Mr Chowdhury, Janardan Bapu decided not to asssign the responsibility of a priestess of the temple to Sorashi any more. Nirmal, son-in-law of Sabeswar Shiromani, is very impressed by the attitude and intelligence of Sorashi. Jibananda later tried to make advances on Sorashi but was refused by her, making him angry and he attempts to evict her from her shelter. Sagan and his team wait for Sorashi's order to fight against jibananda. But Sorashi is totally dispassionate. She leaves the temple. In the end Jibananda realises his mistakes and surrenders to Sorashi.

Cast

• Bhanu Bannerjee ... Nirmal
• Durgadas Bannerjee... Jibananda
• Nibhanani Devi ... Shoroshi
• Jahar Ganguli ... Sagar Sardar
• Amar Mullick ... Ekkari
• Bhumen Roy ... Nirmal
• Shishubala ... Haimabati
• Umasashi ... In a crowd scene

References

1. ^ "Dena Paona (1931)". www.imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154387/. Retrieved 2008-10-23. 
2. ^ "DENA PAONA - Film Database - Movie Database". www.citwf.com. http://www.citwf.com/film83853.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-23. 

External links

• Dena Paona at the Internet Movie Database

See also

• Alam Ara
• Jamai Shashthi