Synonymous with the Bengali Baul tradition, Parvathy Baul is not only a singer but also a storyteller, painter, and poet who personifies the aesthetic and spiritual core of the Baul sect. A road of love, dedication, and a search for spiritual connection is the focus of the Baul tradition, whose mystical and philosophical elements are strongly entwined with her life and work.

The upcoming Hindi film Joy Guru, a fictionalized portrayal of the life of famous Baul singer Parvathy Baul, is being shot by ace cinematographer Ravi Varman. It is a flagship India-USA-UK-France co-production directed by writer-director Soumyajit Majumdar’s LOK Arts Collective (UK/India) and studio producers Aniruddha and Aparna Dasgupta of Adited Motion Pictures (USA/India). The film looks to be an engrossing depiction of the life and talent of one of the most well-known musicians in India. Renowned for his remarkable cinematography, Ravi Varman imbues his pictures with an aura of grandeur and emotional complexity.

Several well-known films from his repertoire, including Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2, Barfi!, Tamasha, and Ram Leela, have received praise for his exceptional ability to capture the spirit of the narrative through his lens. Varman is the perfect choice for a film that tries to portray the life of a spiritual and artistic figure because of his skill in fusing detailed storytelling with natural beauty.

“A project that celebrates the life of Parvathy Baul, a renowned singer and musician. There is a strong and intrinsic link between cinematography and music that touches the soul in remarkable ways” said Ravi Varman.

Along with many other Indian traditional folk arts, the Baul tradition has been preserved and propagated by Parvati, who has done a great deal for the art form. “Her unselfish devotion to service inspires me greatly, and the biopic will greatly aid Generation Z in clearly understanding the arts. I’m honored to have been involved with the movie” added Varman.

Under the direction of Soumyajit Majumdar, “Joy Guru” attempts to explore the life of Parvathy Baul, following her from her early years to her role as a keeper of the Baul legacy.

With Ravi involved, the film promises to be a visual feast, portraying the calm rural Bengali and Keralan landscapes, the exuberant energy of Baul’s performances, and the reflective, peaceful periods in Parvathy’s life. To translate Parvathy’s story to the screen, his skill in evoking emotion through light, color, and composition will be essential.

It is anticipated that the combination of the rich story of Parvathy Baul’s life and the cinematographic brilliance of Ravi Varman will produce a profoundly moving and visually stunning cinematic experience, further solidifying Indian cinema’s standing as a profound and artistically remarkable medium.

The movie will start shooting in 2025 and is now in the final stages of scripting.

Priyanka Dutta