{"title":"Lalitha Gopalan","description":"\u003cp\u003eLalitha Gopalan’s works offer a compelling exploration of \u003cstrong\u003earts and culture\u003c\/strong\u003e, illuminating the delicate interplay between tradition and modernity. Through evocative storytelling and insightful reflection, her writing invites readers to engage with the rich textures of creative expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTitles like \u003cem\u003eKaagaz Ke Phool (Paper Flowers)\u003c\/em\u003e showcase her ability to blend poetic nuance with cultural critique, making her collection a thoughtful choice for those interested in the artistic narratives that shape our understanding of culture and identity.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"kaagaz-ke-phool-paper-flowers-by-lalitha-gopalan-9781839027062","title":"Kaagaz Ke Phool (Paper Flowers)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuru Dutt’s final film as a director, \u003ci\u003eKaagaz Ke Phool\u003c\/i\u003e (\u003ci\u003ePaper Flowers\u003c\/i\u003e) (1959), follows the successful film-maker Suresh Sinha (played by Dutt himself) as rumours of his affair with his actress Shanti (Waheeda Rehman) lead him to lose his family, descend into alcoholism and ultimately retreat from the film industry. Initially met with critical and commercial failure, the film is now revered for its technical prowess and considered one of the finest self-reflexive works in Indian cinema.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLalitha Gopalan explores \u003ci\u003eKaagaz\u003c\/i\u003e’s innovative visual style, being the first Indian film shot in CinemaScope, highlighting cinematographer V. K. Murthy’s essential contribution. She also analyses the soundtrack, composed by S. D. Burman with lyrics by Kaifi Azmi, examining the now-classic picturisations of songs such as ‘Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on interviews with practitioners and people close to Dutt, Gopalan reconstructs the original contexts of the film’s production and reception. Finally, using \u003ci\u003eKaagaz\u003c\/i\u003e as a lens, she assesses Dutt’s influence on popular Indian cinema during the 1950s, as well as on global film melodrama more broadly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PTY Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47431394754796,"sku":"9781839027062","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781839027062.jpg?v=1774557919"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/lalitha-gopalan.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}