Dhruba

Did You Know?

• The film's original nitrate negatives deteriorated during the COVID-19 lockdown due to inadequate preservation.
• Kazi Nazrul Islam was appointed as a music director at Madan Theatres in the 1930s.
• Pioneer Films Company was founded in 1933 by Mrs. Piroj Madan.

Plot

In ancient times, King Uttampad and his wife Suniti, a devotee of Vishnu, had no son. Suniti arranged the king's marriage to Princess Sundari, who also remained childless but forced the king to exile Suniti to a forest. After five years, the king, lost in the jungle, took shelter in Suniti's hut and was reunited with her. Suniti gave birth to a son named Dhruba, who learned worship from his mother. Discovering he was the king's son, five-year-old Dhruba went to the palace seeking food and clothing. The king was about to place him on the throne when Suniti arrived and rebuked Dhruba. Returning to the forest hut, Dhruba learned that Lord Hari's blessing could restore everything. He meditated in the deep jungle, and Lord Narayan blessed him. King Uttampad then brought Dhruba and Suniti back to the kingdom.

Music

The film had 18 songs, and Kazi Nazrul Islam wrote and composed 17 of them. Since playback singing was not yet in use, Nazrul himself performed one solo and one duet alongside child actor Probodh. The songs he created for the film are "Jago Byathar Thakur", "Abirata Badal Barshichhe", "Chomke Chopola Meghe Mogon Gogon", "Dhular Thakur", "Harinamer Sudha", "Ami Rajar Kumar", "He Dukkhohoron Bhakter Shoron", "Shishu Natobor Neche Jay", "Madhur Chhonde Nache Anonde", "Gohon Bone Shri Hari Namer", "Dao Dekha Dao Dekha", "Phutilo Manas Madhabi Kunje" (sung by Nazrul), "Hridipadme Choron Rakho", "Phire Ay Ore Phire Ay", "Nacho Bonamali", "Joi Pitambar Shyam Sundar", and "Kadis Na Ar Kadis Na".