Event detail
Shiraz: A Romance of India
Film - Feature | October 18 | 4 p.m. | Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Institute for South Asia Studies
Based on the romance between seventeenth-century Mughal ruler Shah Jahan and his queen, this epic silent film is the ravishing, romantic tale behind the creation of one of the worlds most iconic structures, the Taj Mahal. Shot entirely on location in India, it features lavish costumes and gorgeous settingsall the more impressive in this restoration by the BFI National Archive, which features a new score by sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar. Indian film legend Himansu Rai (who also produced the film) stars as humble potter Shiraz, who follows his childhood sweetheart Selima (Enakshi Rama Rau) when she is sold by slave traders to the future emperor (Charu Roy).
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