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How many of us know that the song 'Satrangi' in the movie 'Dil Se' profoundly represents the seven stages of love?
Often, we find ourselves captivated by the melodies and visuals of a song without fully grasping its deeper meanings. In this case, the romantics of SRK, backed by the renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar, in collaboration with the visionary director Mani Ratnam, has ingeniously crafted a masterpiece that explores the intricacies of love through the lens of Arabic literature.
'Dil Se,' a cinematic gem directed by Mani Ratnam, beautifully encapsulates the essence of love in all its shades and nuances. One of the standout moments in the movie is the song 'Satrangi,' which means seven colours, the colour of a Rainbow.
The song takes us on a mesmerising journey through the seven stages of love as described in Arabic literature. Each stage, or 'maqamat,' represents a unique facet of love, a spectrum of emotions that perhaps we all may relate to.
The first stage, 'Dilkashi,' meaning attraction, sets the foundation for love's journey. In the song, dressed in black, the actor is drawn to his lover like a shining light, wondering why she remains distant. When close, she becomes a dream, a shadow - 'Koi khwaab hai ya parchhayi hai, satrangi re.'
This black attire symbolises her enigmatic allure. Now, in reality, she stands afar. The distance between them is shown by the presence of water adorned in white purity, while he must traverse darkness to reach her.
As the song progresses, we delve deeper into the second stage, 'Uns,' which signifies Infatuation. Here, love takes root, and a profound connection is formed.
At this stage, actress Manisha Koirala was dressed slightly in light pink, where the lyrics say, 'Aankhon ne kuch aise chhua, Halka halka uns hua.'
'Mohabbat,' the third stage, is perhaps the most familiar. It embodies the intensity and passion that love brings, painting the canvas of life, and so does the actress's dress with vibrant hues of orange. During this stage, love blooms and flourishes, transcending mere attachment to become an all-encompassing force depicted in the film as a fire behind the dancing duo.
Moving further, we encounter 'Aqidat,' the fourth stage representing trust. Love, in its truest form, requires a foundation of faith and belief in one another, backed by the lyrics saying, 'Chhooti hai mujhe sargoshi se, Aankhon mein ghuli khamoshi se.'
'Main farsh pe sajde karta hoon, Kuch hosh mein, kuch behoshi se'- the fifth stage, 'Ibaadat,' reflects love's divine aspect—the inclination to worship and adore.
It is a stage where love transforms into a spiritual journey, where two souls find solace and fulfilment in each other's presence, and Farah Khan, who did the song's choreography, makes SRK fall on his knees surrendering himself to his love adorned in the green.
'Junoon,' meaning passion, is the sixth stage of love that drives us to the brink of obsession, blurring the boundaries between sanity and irrationality. The passionate red hues filling the screen symbolise the intensity and fervour accompanying this stage.
Having become united, they dance together in the water. In shades of blue and indigo, Koirala's dress represents her transformation into the essence of his existence. His dependence on her is so strong that even a brief separation leaves him feeling powerless and vulnerable.
In a mesmerising journey, the lover now finds himself entwined in the enchanting web of her love, which Mani also shows on the screen.
Every step draws him deeper, longing to regain his senses, yet captivated by the irresistible allure. Bound by her affection, he remains tangled like a delicate rope dress caught in a net of passion from which he cannot break free.
The madness is not leaving, the intensity is still there to much extent. When the lover loses his sanity in this picture, Koirala is like an apsara wrapped in violets.
Now we have reached the height of love, the seventh stage, 'Maut,' representing death.
This stage may seem perplexing at first, but it speaks to the concept of love being eternal—a love that transcends physical boundaries.
As the lyrics repeatedly say, 'Ishq par zor nahin' means love cannot be enforced, and on the screen, we see the actress taking the actor in her arms, both in white.