The University of Fiji has launched “Sentimental Songs, Melodrama and Filmic Narrative in Bollywood’s Golden Age (1951–1963)” by Jasmine Sofia Jannif, a scholarly work that explores the cultural, emotional and narrative power of film music in one of the most influential periods of Indian cinema.
The book was officially launched by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem, at an event attended by academics, students and members of the public, marking a significant contribution to both cultural studies and film scholarship.
The publication examines how songs in Bollywood’s Golden Age were not merely elements of entertainment, but central to storytelling, shaping narrative progression while reflecting themes of love, loss, identity and social change.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Shameem described the book as a powerful and academically significant work that should be recognised within film and media studies.
She said while the subject may appear non-academic, the depth of analysis presented in the book establishes it as a serious scholarly contribution.
Professor Shameem noted that the book demonstrates how songs in Indian cinema extend and deepen the narrative, rather than simply accompanying it.
She said, “If you even suggested for a moment that the songs would not be there, nobody would go to Indian cinema. The music extends the entire story and gives meaning to the narrative in ways we often overlook.”
She further highlighted the importance of Indian cinema within the diaspora, particularly for Indo-Fijians, describing it as more than entertainment but a reflection of cultural identity and heritage.
Professor Shameem said the book captures how film and music serve as a link to cultural origins, reinforcing identity across generations despite geographical distance.
Author Jasmine Sofia Jannif, in her remarks, reflected on the personal journey that shaped the book, drawing from her upbringing in a music-loving family and her early fascination with film songs.
She explained that her research revealed songs as a primary medium of storytelling and emotional expression, particularly during the Golden Age of Bollywood, where they gave voice to themes of displacement, longing and social realities.
Ms Jannif noted that songs from this era not only advanced film narratives but also preserved cultural memory, connecting audiences to deeper emotional and historical experiences.
The launch forms part of the University’s broader commitment to promoting literature, arts and interdisciplinary scholarship, particularly during its 21st anniversary celebrations, which highlight the diverse talents of its academic and creative community.
