Sacred Soundtracks

Chaitanya and Kīrtan in Classic Bengali Cinema

Abstract

This article examines the presence of Chaitanya and Kīrtan in three classic Bengali films: Bhagwan Shri Krishna Chaitanya (1953), Nilachale Mahaprabhu (1957), and Nader Nimai (1960). It explores how these films, produced before the widespread Western awareness of Chaitanya, depict his life and teachings through "sacred soundtracks" that incorporate Sanskrit recitations, Padāvali-Kīrtan songs, and classical music. The analysis considers the historical context of Chaitanya's devotional movement, the significance of Kīrtan in his practice, and the broader themes of religion and film in India, highlighting the potential of cinema to convey spiritual truths.