Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
‘Songs of Paradise’ opens with a beautiful black-and-white scene of Saba Azad singing a Kashmiri song about inviting a beloved for a spring feast. The song is haunting, soulful, nostalgically retro and sets the tone for the rest of the tale.
Directed by Danish Renzu, ‘Songs of Paradise’ is inspired by the life of Raj Begum, the pioneering folk singer who became the first woman to perform live on Radio Kashmir, opening doors for future generations of women in the valley. In the film, Soni Razdan and Saba Azad (‘Rocket Boys’, ‘Who’s Your Gynac’) play protagonist Noor Begum at different ages, a character loosely based on the folk legend.
Soni Razdan is electric in the opening minutes of ‘Songs of Paradise’, embodying the older, seasoned Noor, a doting grandmother, yet a world-weary singer who distrusts journalists and demands uncompromising standards from her peers. Taaruk Raina plays a music scholar who persuades Noor to share her story. She recounts her journey from being Zeba Akhtar (Saba Azad), the daughter of a humble tailor who worked part-time doing chores for a famous local musician (Shishir Sharma), to becoming Noor Begum, the golden voice of Kashmir.
‘Songs of Paradise’ is a straightforward tale of Zeba’s rise from anonymity to radio star in the 1960s, a journey fraught with obstacles, the biggest being her strict, religious mother (played by the brilliant Sheeba Chaddha), who only wants Zeba to get married as soon as possible. Then, of course, there’s the classic ‘log kya kahenge’ conundrum, since at the time it was unheard of for women to sing in public in Kashmir. Interestingly, it’s the several men in her life who encourage, push, and support Zeba through her musical journey, which includes her father (played by Bashir Lone). Zain Khan Durrani plays Azaad Maqbool Shah, a poet, and eventual romantic interest for Noor.
You won’t find the fiery, frenzied energy of ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, or the glitzy Bollywood glamour of ‘Qala’ in ‘Songs of Paradise’. Instead, there’s a steady tempo to this film, which starts to feel a little humdrum in the second half. Regardless, the lack of theatrical embellishments in the film has its own charm, it often feels like you are watching an art film from the 1980s or 90s.
Saba Azad brings an endearing vulnerability to the timid, self-doubting young Zeba, who remains consistently likable through the runtime. Zeba isn’t ambitious, fame-hungry, but possess an earnest love for music, and a natural desire to be more than just somebody’s wife. Singing on the radio offers her a way out of an otherwise stifling future. The playback singing for Saba’s character is done by Masrat Un Nisa, whose rich, resonant voice feels as though it’s been plucked from a forgotten era.
What stands out in ‘Songs of Paradise’ are the songs and the quiet evolution of its protagonist, shown through the contrast between the bashful, unconfident Zeba of her youth and the assertive, world-wise Noor brought to life by Soni Razdan. The shift is not just about age but about growth, from a young woman silenced by circumstances to a singer who knows her worth and guards her legacy with strength. Brownie points to the casting directors for choosing Saba and Soni for the roles, as they actually manage to come across as convincing versions of the same person.
The romance in the film is completely lackluster, but well, this isn’t a love story. The last 20 minutes do begin to feel tedious, but thankfully ‘Songs of Paradise’ doesn’t drag on, ending on a heart-warming tribute to Noor. If you’re in the mood for a no frills, simple, music-themed film featuring the sounds of Kashmir, check this film out.
Rating: 7 on 10. Watch ‘Songs of Paradise’ on Prime Video.
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