Watch Morning Raga

Morning Raga is a 2004 Indian film directed by Mahesh Dattani starring Shabana Azmi, Prakash Kovelamudi, and Lillete Dubey in lead roles. The film revolves around the life of a middle-aged woman, Swarnalatha (Shabana Azmi), who is still grieving the loss of her daughter. Swarnalatha's husband has left her, and her only solace is her love for classical music. The film captures the essence of carnatic music and the way it evokes the deepest of emotions.

The story begins with Swarnalatha living with her maid Savitri (Lillete Dubey) in Bangalore. She runs a school of music and is considered a renowned music teacher. One day, a young man named Arjun (Prakash Kovelamudi), who is part of a rock band, comes to her house to learn classical music. Swarnalatha is initially hesitant to teach him, but she eventually agrees to take him as her student.

The film traces the journey of Arjun, who is initially ignorant of classical music, and Swarnalatha, who is still dealing with the loss of her daughter, as they slowly open up to each other. Swarnalatha teaches Arjun about the nuances of classical music, while Arjun helps her come to terms with her grief. He also introduces her to his band members and the different genres of music they play.

The film also highlights the cultural differences between the young and the old, and between the traditional and the contemporary. Swarnalatha disapproves of Arjun's fashion sense and his western style of music, while Arjun finds her strict ways suffocating.

As the film progresses, we see Swarnalatha become more and more emotionally invested in Arjun's life. She helps him with his romantic life, and in turn, he helps her reconcile with her estranged husband. However, things take a dramatic turn when Arjun's girlfriend is involved in a hit and run accident, and he needs Swarnalatha's help.

The film reaches its climax with a beautiful rendition of the Morning Raga, which symbolizes the coming together of the two worlds – the traditional and the contemporary. The music becomes a medium for both Swarnalatha and Arjun to express their emotions and to find closure.

Overall, Morning Raga is a beautifully shot film with excellent performances by the lead actors. The film captures the soul of classical music and its ability to evoke the deepest emotions. It is a story of love, loss, and reconciliation that will leave you mesmerized.