The moon has been a part of the screen of Bollywood for as long as anyone can remember. Not merely a vehicle that moves the story ahead, the moon holds a mystic power of its own; it has grown into a powerful symbol that mingles romanticism with a mystic hint. This paper investigates the multi-dimensional approach in which the moon is romanticized in Bollywood, weaving itself into the very fabric of cinematic love stories.
One of the most enduring portrayals of the moon is as a silent witness to the blossoming love. It becomes the confidant and silent messenger who is sometimes passive. In Mughal-e-Azam (1960), the forbidden love story of Anarkali (Madhubala) and Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar) finds solace under the moonlit sky. The song "Jab Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya" depicts Anarkali dancing beneath the moon; the light of the moon seems to help her defy a horde of betrayal and her passionate love. With the forbidden love displayed in the song, the moon takes up a role of rebellion and silent support for their desires.
Later than this, the moon can portray the agony of losing one's love, along with that of receiving unfulfilled promises. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), which is the story of sacrifice by Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) for love, is even fuller in this regard when the full moon was reflecting upon the death of an innocent love between Sameer (Salman Khan) and the real partner. In the lyrics of the song "Tadap Tadap Ke," Sameer openly speaks of his heart out under the full moon, vulnerability echoing the stark beauty of the lunar landscape. Here, the moon reflects the melancholic longing and bittersweet memories of a love story forever changed.
The romanticized symbolism of the moon in Bollywood extends far beyond its visual presence in the skin of film images. Lyrics of songs most often invoke the moon, giving it a sense of longing and desire. Phrases like 'chandni raat' (moonlit night) or 'chaand sifarish' (moon as a witness) are woven into love ballads, further solidifying the moon's association with romance.
The moon in Bollywood cinema is more than just a celestial body; it is a multifaceted symbol that breathes life into narratives of love, longing, and sacrifice. In its silence, it acts as a witness, a confidant, and a mirror to unspoken emotions. It is thus a reminder that the power of love remains in any grand show of the cinema.
-Ananya Nair
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