Lakmé na India moderna

Siddharth, an Indian-born engineer, raised and living in the U.S. arrives in Varanasi to work on the Ganga Cleaning Project. Cynical and contemptuous of things Indian and every inch a westerner, he is nevertheless attracted to the mysterious and elusive Bharati.

Orphaned at an early age and raised by the Domraja, king of Varanasi's cremation grounds, Bharati's appeal for Siddharth is instantaneous. He feels her presence everywhere but is unable to get close to her and know her. Domraja, Bharati's foster father, patriarchal and over-protective, also hinders the development of proximity between the two youngsters.

For Siddharth, the process of falling in love with Bharati is one of inner transformation. Through her, he falls in love with India, the traditional and the modern; India where all the centuries seem to coexist together in time, yet one that is constantly changing and evolving; an India enthusiastically embracing the latest the world has to offer, but without losing its cherished ancient values, India where organised disorder seems to be celebrated.

As Bharati introduces him to the wonder of India, Siddharth who had come to cleanse the Ganga of its pollution, ends up discovering himself and the meaning of love.

Bharati awakens in Siddharth a yearning to connect with his own roots. Siddharth's is a powerful story of homecoming and likely to strike an emotional chord across the world, in all cultures.

O José Bandeira tem o original do maravilhoso e trespassado trecho "Dueto das Flores", da ópera Lakmé, a história do amor trágico da filha do Bramane pelo oficial ingles (gostos nao se discutem).

Hoje, numa história de amor, o amor do herói é a redescoberta das origens (a rapariga é para disfarçar), nao há tragédia (umas chatices a resolver pelo melhor) e fazem-se trabalhos de despoluiçao (como ambientalista isto, sem dúvida, comove-me).

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