Saregama has unveiled the music video of Maa, a song from the soundtrack of the upcoming film Dhumketu. After the romantic number Gaane gaane, which was dropped earlier this month, Maa has exponentially raised the expectations of the audience regarding the release of this much-awaited film by Kaushik Ganguly, starring Dev and Subhashree Ganguly.
Just a little more than three minutes long, this intensely lyrical track, written, composed and sung by Anupam Roy, is currently among the top 10 trending music videos on YouTube. It resonates with emotions that are heartfelt, poignant and at the same time steeped in warm nostalgia. Capturing the everlasting bond of love between mother and child, Maa is like a sentimental, soul-stirring journey that wraps the listener in the embrace of the memories evoked by it. Expressing a son’s longing for his mother’s love and soothing touch, the raw, pure and innocent quality of the song pays tribute to this beautiful relationship, which is precious, enduring and timeless.
The video begins with a scene where Dev’s character Bhanu (wearing heavy prosthetic makeup to make him look like an octogenarian) walks slowly up a hilly path to reach a house. He spots his mother’s saris drying on the clothesline — he touches them lovingly and smells their freshly-washed fragrance. It is clear from the lyrics that he misses his mother terribly. He wishes to be with her again so that he can forget his troubles, and sleep peacefully snug in the comfort of her loving embrace. A physical and mental fatigue is evident in his gait, attitude and body language. He creeps cautiously outside the house so as to avoid being seen by anyone, reinforcing the idea suggested by Dhumketu’s teaser that he is some sort of a fugitive.
The lyrics also imply that Bhanu has been misunderstood by others, creating a heavy burden in his heart and making him uncertain of his future. Through the song, he appeals to his mother (Alokananda Roy) to look after the belongings that are dear to him, hinting that he would perhaps never return. As he peeps inside a window, he sees her engaged in worship. The sight instantly catapults him back to a beautiful memory of his wedding morning, with his mother helping him get ready for the occasion. The flashback of memories depicts the adorable relationship between the two — portraying his mischievous nature and her indulgent affection — only to draw him painfully back to the present. The song ends on a sorrowful note with his realisation that his mother must also have given up all hopes of ever seeing him again.
Maa’s gentle, regular rhythmic beat underscores the sense of reassurance, calmness and comfort that forms the core of a mother’s relationship with her child. Also starring Rudranil Ghosh, Parambrata Chatterjee and Chiranjeet in pivotal roles, Dhumketu releases in theatres on August 14.