Created by Citation bot
Last edited March 7, 2026
>Citation bot
Alter: url, title. URLs might have been anonymized. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:1937 films | via #UCB_Category 3/1156
 
m basic fixed lead for consistency and updated info
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{about|the film|the powder sacred in Hinduism|Kumkum}}
{{Short description|1937 Indian film by V. Shantaram}}
{{about|the film|the 2009 TV series|Kunku (TV series)|the powder sacred in Hinduism|Kumkum}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Kunku
| name          = Kunku
| image          = Duniya Na Mane (Hindi) 1937.jpg
| image          = Kunku poster.jpg
| image_size    =
| caption        = Poster
| caption        =
| director      = [[V. Shantaram]]
| director      = [[V. Shantaram]] Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram
| producer      = [[Prabhat Film Company]]
| producer      = [[Prabhat Film Company]]
| writer        = [[Narayan Hari Apte]] (novel & screenplay)<br />Munshi Aziz (dialogue)
| writer        = [[Narayan Hari Apte]] (novel & screenplay)<br />Munshi Aziz (dialogue)
| music       = [[Keshavrao Bhole]]
| music         = [[Keshavrao Bhole]]
| cinematography = [[V. Avadhoot]]
| cinematography = [[V. Avadhoot]]
| starring           = [[Shanta Apte]], [[Keshavrao Date]], [[Raja Nene]], [[Vimala Vasishta]], [[Shakuntala Paranjpye]], [[Master Chhotu]]
| starring       = [[Shanta Apte]], [[Keshavrao Date]], [[Raja Nene]], [[Vimala Vasishta]], [[Shakuntala Paranjpye]], [[Master Chhotu]]
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1937}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1937}}
| runtime        = 154 minutes
| runtime        = 154 minutes
| country        = [[British Raj]]
| country        = [[British Raj]]
| language      = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]/[[Hindi]]
| language      = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]<br/>[[Hindi]]
}}
}}
[[File:Duniya Na Mane, 1937.webm|thumb|''Duniya Na Mane'' (Hindi version)]]
[[File:Duniya Na Mane, 1937.webm|thumb|''Duniya Na Mane'' (Hindi version)]]
[[File:Kunku - 1937 - Marathi.webm|thumb|''Kunku'' (Marathi version)]]
[[File:Kunku - 1937 - Marathi.webm|thumb|''Kunku'' (Marathi version)]]
'''''Kunku''''' (Marathi title)<ref>{{cite book |title=Third World film making and the West|last=Armes|first=Roy|year=1987|publisher=[[University of California Press]] |isbn=0-520-05690-6|page=112 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFDnqIwdr8EC&q=Ayodhyecha+Raja+1932&pg=PA112 }}</ref><ref name="prabhat"/> is a 1937 [[Marathi language|Marathi]] classic social drama film directed by [[V. Shantaram]], and based on the  novel, ''Na Patnari Goshta'' by [[Narayan Hari Apte]], who also wrote film's screenplay.<ref>[http://nfaipune.nic.in/duniya_na_mane.htm Duniya Na Mane] [[National Film Archive of India]]</ref> The film was simultaneously shot and released in Hindi as ''Duniya Na Maane''.
'''''Kunku''''' (Marathi title)<ref>{{cite book |title=Third World film making and the West|last=Armes|first=Roy|year=1987|publisher=[[University of California Press]] |isbn=0-520-05690-6|pages=112 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFDnqIwdr8EC&q=Ayodhyecha+Raja+1932&pg=PA112 }}</ref><ref name="prabhat"/> is a 1937 Indian [[Marathi language|Marathi]]-language classic social drama film directed by [[V. Shantaram]], and based on the  novel, ''Na Patnari Goshta'' by [[Narayan Hari Apte]], who also wrote film's screenplay.<ref>[http://nfaipune.nic.in/duniya_na_mane.htm Duniya Na Mane] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929100136/http://nfaipune.nic.in/duniya_na_mane.htm |date=29 September 2008 }} [[National Film Archive of India]]</ref> The film was simultaneously shot and released in Hindi as '''''Duniya Na Maane'''''.


The movie went on to become both a critical and commercial success, and was shown at the [[Venice International Film Festival]].<ref name="prabhat">[http://www.prabhatfilm.com/films.htm Films] ''[[Prabhat Film Company]]''.</ref> The film is now hailed for "its daring attack on the treatment of women in Indian society." and depiction of [[child marriage]].<ref>[http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/contemporary/india-arthouse.html India's Art House Cinema] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122162218/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/contemporary/india-arthouse.html |date=22 November 2009 }} by Lalit Mohan Joshi, ''[[British Film Institute]]''.</ref>
The film went on to become both a critical and commercial success, and was shown at the [[Venice International Film Festival]].<ref name="prabhat">[http://www.prabhatfilm.com/films.htm Films] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722170023/http://www.prabhatfilm.com/films.htm |date=22 July 2012 }} ''[[Prabhat Film Company]]''.</ref> The film is now hailed for "its daring attack on the treatment of women in Indian society." and depiction of [[child marriage]].<ref>[http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/contemporary/india-arthouse.html India's Art House Cinema] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122162218/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/contemporary/india-arthouse.html |date=22 November 2009 }} by Lalit Mohan Joshi, ''[[British Film Institute]]''.</ref>


For film's lead actress, Shanta Apte, it was third most memorable performance in a row, after [[V.Shantaram]]'s previous classics, ''[[Amrit Manthan (film)|Amrit Manthan]]'' (1934) and ''[[Amar Jyoti]]'' (1936). Besides other songs, she also sang a full-fledged English song in the film: "A Psalm of Life", written by [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]] (1807–1882).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://passionforcinema.com/find-of-the-week-hinglish-song/ |title='Hinglish' Song |access-date=22 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015234718/http://passionforcinema.com/find-of-the-week-hinglish-song/ |archive-date=15 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.music.indian.misc/2006-01/msg00748.html 'A Psalm of Life' text]</ref><ref>{{YouTube|2wqhfKNMPTs|Duniya Na Mane-In The World's (Longfellow poem by Shanta Apte)}}</ref>
For film's lead actress, Shanta Apte, it was third most memorable performance in a row, after Shantaram's previous classics, ''[[Amrit Manthan (film)|Amrit Manthan]]'' (1934) and ''[[Amar Jyoti]]'' (1936). Besides other songs, she also sang a full-fledged English song in the film: "A Psalm of Life", written by [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]] (1807–1882).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://passionforcinema.com/find-of-the-week-hinglish-song/ |title='Hinglish' Song |access-date=22 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015234718/http://passionforcinema.com/find-of-the-week-hinglish-song/ |archive-date=15 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.music.indian.misc/2006-01/msg00748.html 'A Psalm of Life' text]{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|2wqhfKNMPTs|Duniya Na Mane-In The World's (Longfellow poem by Shanta Apte)}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
The basic storyline revolves around a young woman, Nirmala (Shanta Apte) rebelling against her marriage to a much older widower, Kaka Saheb ([[Keshavrao Date]]), as was the practice in those days. The story is based on a novel by Shri. [[Narayan Hari Apte]].  It reminds us instinctively of the story of Sharada, a play by Deval  which had long been a classic of Marathi theatre.
[[File:Duniya Na Mane (Hindi) 1937.jpg|thumb|200px|''Duniya Na Mane'' (Hindi)]]
A young woman, Nirmala (Shanta Apte), known affectionately as Neera, is orphaned and comes to live in the house of her maternal uncle. His wife, a very good lady, urges her husband to do his duty and arrange for Nirmala to marry a suitable young man. The uncle finally brings a family to meet his niece, consisting of a handsome young man, his much younger brother, his middle aged father and his widowed aunt (father's sister). The meeting is cordial, and a few days later, Nirmala's uncle comes home with the news that the boy's family have agreed to the match. On the day of the wedding, while Nirmala sits inside a room like a demure bride, her aunt is at the gate to receive the groom with [[aarti]]. She is horrified and faints when she discovers that the elderly father is the groom! When she recovers, her husband tells her sternly not to make a scene but to ensure that Nirmala goes quietly with her husband, the much older widower, Kaka Saheb ([[Keshavrao Date]]).
 
The story is based on a novel by Shri. [[Narayan Hari Apte]].  It reminds us instinctively of the story of Sharada, a play by Deval  which had long been a classic of Marathi theatre.
Neera, a young girl, is married off to an old widower by her foster-parents, an uncle and his orthodox wife. The deal is obviously motivated by considerations of money. The shock of the marriage is too much for the girl, but she bravely tries to accommodate herself in the house. The widower deceives himself into believing that he is still not old enough to have lost his manhood. His college-going son tries to flirt with his young stepmother, while a widowed daughter of his sympathises with her in her woe. The marriage does not work. Some cheer is added to Neera's life through the company of a teenage girl belonging to the household. However, when the old man fully realises the implications of his action, he commits suicide, leaving the girl he has married against her will to go her own way.
Neera, a young girl, is married off to an old widower by her foster-parents, an uncle and his orthodox wife. The deal is obviously motivated by considerations of money. The shock of the marriage is too much for the girl, but she bravely tries to accommodate herself in the house. The widower deceives himself into believing that he is still not old enough to have lost his manhood. His college-going son tries to flirt with his young stepmother, while a widowed daughter of his sympathises with her in her woe. The marriage does not work. Some cheer is added to Neera's life through the company of a teenage girl belonging to the household. However, when the old man fully realises the implications of his action, he commits suicide, leaving the girl he has married against her will to go her own way.


Line 54: Line 57:


==References==
==References==
<references/>
{{Reflist}}
*Ashish Rajadhyaksha, Paul Willemen: Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, S. 272
*Ashish Rajadhyaksha, Paul Willemen: Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, S. 272
*http://www.answers.com/topic/kunku


==External links==
==External links==
Line 70: Line 72:
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Films directed by V. Shantaram]]
[[Category:Films directed by V. Shantaram]]
[[Category:1930s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1937 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Marathi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian feminist films]]
[[Category:Indian feminist films]]
[[Category:Films about women in India]]
[[Category:Films about women in India]]

Latest revision as of 12:34, 7 March 2026


Kunku
Poster
Directed byV. Shantaram
Produced byPrabhat Film Company
Written byNarayan Hari Apte (novel & screenplay)
Munshi Aziz (dialogue)
StarringShanta Apte, Keshavrao Date, Raja Nene, Vimala Vasishta, Shakuntala Paranjpye, Master Chhotu
Music byKeshavrao Bhole
CinematographyV. Avadhoot
Release date
  • 1937 (1937)
Running time
154 minutes
CountryBritish Raj
LanguageMarathi
Hindi
Duniya Na Mane (Hindi version)
Kunku (Marathi version)

Kunku (Marathi title)[1][2] is a 1937 Indian Marathi-language classic social drama film directed by V. Shantaram, and based on the novel, Na Patnari Goshta by Narayan Hari Apte, who also wrote film's screenplay.[3] The film was simultaneously shot and released in Hindi as Duniya Na Maane.

The film went on to become both a critical and commercial success, and was shown at the Venice International Film Festival.[2] The film is now hailed for "its daring attack on the treatment of women in Indian society." and depiction of child marriage.[4]

For film's lead actress, Shanta Apte, it was third most memorable performance in a row, after Shantaram's previous classics, Amrit Manthan (1934) and Amar Jyoti (1936). Besides other songs, she also sang a full-fledged English song in the film: "A Psalm of Life", written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882).[5][6][7]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Duniya Na Mane (Hindi)

A young woman, Nirmala (Shanta Apte), known affectionately as Neera, is orphaned and comes to live in the house of her maternal uncle. His wife, a very good lady, urges her husband to do his duty and arrange for Nirmala to marry a suitable young man. The uncle finally brings a family to meet his niece, consisting of a handsome young man, his much younger brother, his middle aged father and his widowed aunt (father's sister). The meeting is cordial, and a few days later, Nirmala's uncle comes home with the news that the boy's family have agreed to the match. On the day of the wedding, while Nirmala sits inside a room like a demure bride, her aunt is at the gate to receive the groom with aarti. She is horrified and faints when she discovers that the elderly father is the groom! When she recovers, her husband tells her sternly not to make a scene but to ensure that Nirmala goes quietly with her husband, the much older widower, Kaka Saheb (Keshavrao Date).

The story is based on a novel by Shri. Narayan Hari Apte. It reminds us instinctively of the story of Sharada, a play by Deval which had long been a classic of Marathi theatre. Neera, a young girl, is married off to an old widower by her foster-parents, an uncle and his orthodox wife. The deal is obviously motivated by considerations of money. The shock of the marriage is too much for the girl, but she bravely tries to accommodate herself in the house. The widower deceives himself into believing that he is still not old enough to have lost his manhood. His college-going son tries to flirt with his young stepmother, while a widowed daughter of his sympathises with her in her woe. The marriage does not work. Some cheer is added to Neera's life through the company of a teenage girl belonging to the household. However, when the old man fully realises the implications of his action, he commits suicide, leaving the girl he has married against her will to go her own way.

Music[edit | edit source]

The songs are from the lead actress Shanta Apte even sung. Shantaram Athavale wrote the lyrics to the music of Keshavrao Bhole. The English text of the song in the world's broad field of battle ... Be not like dumb, driven cattle is a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Cast[edit | edit source]

A scene from the film. Apte is seen in the centre.

Shanta Apte ... Nirmala Keshavrao Date Keshavrao Date ... Keshavlal Pleader Vimala Vasishta Vimala Vasishta ... Chachi (as Vimalabai Vasistha) Shakuntala Paranjpye Shakuntala Paranjpye ... Sushila Vasanti Vasanti ... Shanta Raja Nene Raja Nene ... Jugal Gauri Gauri ... Mami Chhotu Chhotu ... Mama Rest of cast listed alphabetically: Karmarkar Karmarkar

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Armes, Roy (1987). Third World film making and the West. University of California Press. p. 112. ISBN 0-520-05690-6.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Films Archived 22 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Prabhat Film Company.
  3. Duniya Na Mane Archived 29 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine National Film Archive of India
  4. India's Art House Cinema Archived 22 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine by Lalit Mohan Joshi, British Film Institute.
  5. "'Hinglish' Song". Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  6. 'A Psalm of Life' text[permanent dead link]
  7. Duniya Na Mane-In The World's (Longfellow poem by Shanta Apte) at YouTube
  • Ashish Rajadhyaksha, Paul Willemen: Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, S. 272

External links[edit | edit source]