This post is written with an intention of paying homage to the writers of the movie 'My Fair Lady' which is a classic and has been adapted into musicals and movies in other languages. Honestly, I do not know if the musical is the original composition making the movie a piece of adapted work...but either way the magic of this movie is unique and it is a thorough entertainer. 'My Fair Lady' spells eloquence in bold letters as the main lead 'Prof. Higgins' boasts of his ability to educate and train a 'flower girl' (A lady selling flowers at the local market; an uncouth person with little or no finesse) to pass off as a duchess at some kind of ball involving the Queen of Transylvania!
Prof. Higgins is an established linguist who can rightly guess the persons' hometown and his places of residence, based solely on his manner of speech that consists principally of his choice of words and phonetics. He comes across as an extremely confidant, arrogant, tyrant who walks over everyone regardless of their mental abilities and social standing. As aptly put by the writer, he treats even a duchess as a flower girl. Higgins has too much disdain for Eliza (the flower girl) that prevents him from perceiving her as a real person. His blatant condescension towards Eliza is so consistent throughout the movie that the unsuspecting viewer is kept guessing until the very end!
This feature presentation, records the period of 6 months, over which the Prof. works on Eliza's speech and phonetics. Ironically, the movie starts off with the Prof. proudly declaring his bachelor status with no intention of ever letting 'a woman in his life'; right after he insolently bribes 'Eliza' to live with him upon accepting the challenge of grooming her!
I enjoyed this journey down memory lane.. (I have watched this movie countless times as a child)! This Higgins character has stirred the literary bone in me which has ensnared a sense of wanting to be soo much more articulate.. his kind of eloquence is almost cheeky such that you unwillingly, even grudging start admiring him.....that usually starts with a hint of a chuckle, that blooms into impulsive laughter and ends by one being charmed by his wit and raspy dialogues!
After all, only once in a while, does one learn to admire the unpretentious, pompous braggart who reeks with too much complacency!
6 comments:
oh is it pygmalion of bernard shaw --- long back i had read his collected plays -- intellectually sarcastic --- the joke about his meeting with a socialite beauty ,, presumingly with empty topfloor ---mentioning a daughter with his brains and her looks -- says the author -- what if otherway round?/// tee fulrani in marathi and santu something in gujju?-- was it aaudry hepburn in the play ? and miss burve in tee fulrani --- lots of chocolates for me to eat -- and carry me to the church-- in time --- i lked the rustic carefree father of eliza---
but somehow compared to shaw etc shakespere is my bhagwatgeeta --life is so fast these days that you people have to be in the present with harry potter and terminators if at all there is sparetime beside the work
WOW, you already write like Rushdie. I wish you good luck if you wanna write a book. Go for it.I loved this writeup.TC
BTW: You have been tagged.
Yes, G.B. Shaw, was brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Read his plays. So full of sarcasm and humour.
Isn't Audrey Hepburn a beauty? See Roman Holiday if you haven't. Liked your post. Will come bach for more.
oh if you have not read GB Shaw yet...you absolutely should. The movie is a great one but the book is even better...all his books are great...do not read the abridged ones...
incidentally my older bro is named after Shaw...and so I have read most of his books...
Most of these comments are hinted towards only one person, an I know who :) !!!
'I could have danced all night' & ''On the street where she lives' r two of my most favourite songs; Eliza looks like a dainty porcelin doll when she sings 'Without u!';
incidently, did u know that it is Julie Andrews'('Sound of Music' fame) golden voice?(she also starred in the musical{play})
the film went on to win many oscars;u should see rex harrison as Ceaser in 'Cleopatra';in a completly different avtaar;
in this blog you have truly spread ur wings, my child; ur language is taking on a new texture which is rich & vibrant; let gabby arrive on the scene soon!
mum
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