Indian Film, Food, and Handicrafts
Featuring the 1957 Film Pyaasa

Curated by Vidhi Salla
​Saturday, July 9 at 7:00 pm
​​UU Society of Amherst, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA
Starring: Guru Dutt, Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman, Johnny Walker, Rehman, Mehmood, Tun Tun.
Director: Guru Dutt.
Music Director: S D Burman.
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This is our first, curated movie event aiming to provide audiences with wholesome entertainment and exposure to authentic world culture. There is often a well-researched cultural introduction explaining the film's background and historical context. Often these evenings are broader cultural events, bazaars of sorts, and may include such things as handicrafts and food.

This evening we present Pyaasa (Hindi pronunciation: [pjɑːsɑː]; transl. Thirsty), a classical 1957 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed and produced by Guru Dutt. Co-starring himself alongside Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman, and Johnny Walker, it focuses on the disillusioned poet Vijay (Dutt) whose works are underestimated by publishers, and panned for writing on social issues rather than romantic topics. The film follows his encounters with the golden-hearted prostitute Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman) and his former girlfriend Meena (Sinha), how the former helps him to get his poetry published, the success of his works, and his romantic relationship with Gulabo.

The role of Vijay was initially offered to Dilip Kumar which he declined owing to the impact of doing intense films on his health. Later, in an interview, he also said that he found the character of Vijay in Pyaasa similar to that of Devdas. Guru Dutt, later accepted the role himself and the film went on to become one of the most commercially successful movies of the year.

Vidhi Salla will present a thoroughly researched cultural introduction to the film. Also part of the screening are Vidhiism Handicrafts, handmade Indian goods sourced directly from the makers. Adding to the authentic Indian experience of the event,  Indian food, snacks that Vidhi has prepared, will be served.
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​Vidhi Salla is a cultural arts curator, radio show host, emcee and voiceover artist. Her internationally streaming show, Vidhi’s Bollywood Jukebox, has received accolades from audiences all over the world. Originally from Mumbai, India, Vidhi was featured in local newspapers here in the US (The Commons, Brattleboro Reformer) and India (Mid-Day) for her educational, theme-based radio show. Vidhi splits her time between Mumbai and Vermont. While in Mumbai, she records her shows from her home studio to be broadcast in Vermont.