Akbar Salim Anarkali

<p>The Mughal emperor , who does not have a male heir, undertakes a pilgrimage to a shrine to pray that his wife give birth to a son. Later, the singer in his court, brings the emperor news of his son’s birth. Overjoyed at his prayers being answered Akbar gives Tansen his ring and promises to grant him anything he desires. Here, grows as a spoiled brat, flippant and self-indulgent. Akbar sends him off to war, to teach him courage and discipline. After 14 years, Salim returns as a distinguished soldier and falls in love with court-dancer Nadira, whom the emperor bestows on her the title , meaning “pomegranate blossom”. Knowing it, Gulnar, another dancer of a higher rank, envies as she too aspires to possess the prince’s love but fails. So, she exposes their forbidden relationship with the Emperor. Salim pleads with his father for acceptance of their espousal, but he refuses and imprisons Anarkali. Salim rebels and amasses an army to confront Akbar to rescue Anarkali. Defeated, Salim is sentenced to death by his father but is told that the sentence will be revoked if Anarkali, now in hiding, is handed over to die in his place. Anarkali gives herself up to save the prince’s life and is condemned to death by being entombed alive. Before her sentence is carried out, she begs to have a few hours with Salim as his make-believe wife. Her request is granted, as she has agreed to drug Salim so that he cannot interfere with her entombment. As Anarkali is being walled up, Akbar is reminded that he still owes Tansen a favour, as it was he who brought him news of Salim’s birth. He pleads for Anarkali’s life. Akbar has a change of opinion, but although he wants to release Anarkali he cannot, because of his duty to his country. He, therefore, arranges for her secret escape into exile with Tansen but demands that the pair are to live in obscurity and that Salim is never to know that Anarkali is still alive. Music was composed by . Lyrics was written by .</p>