Narasinh Mehta(1932)

Name: Narasinh Mehta
Director: Nanubhai Vakil
Genre: Drama
Released: 1932-01-01
Duration: 139 min
Cast: Mohanlala, Maruti Rao, Master Manhar, Master Bachhu, Umakant Desai

Mohanlala Maruti Rao Master Manhar Master Bachhu Umakant Desai

The first Gujarati feature film is a saint film about the life of Narasinh Mehta (1408-75), played by Master Manhar. Mehta is known for his evocative Prabhatiyan (morning hymns) and especially for his composition Vaishnava jana to ('The Vaishnav is he who knows the pain of others') made popular by Gandhi, who also adapted the poet's term Harijan (children of god) for the nation's Untouchables. The film adheres to the Gandhian interpretation of Narasinh Mehta's work, avoiding e.g. miracle scenes.