Pratidhwani

The story comes from a well known folk ballad of the Khasi hills. Manik Raitong is an unlucky orphan who plays sweet tunes on his flute at night. The flute, and a girl named Lien Makao whom he met not long before, give his life meaning.

Just as he is about to ask for her hand, Manik learns that Lien Makao lives beyond seven hills and is already married to the aged Syiem, the Khasi king. The Syiem is often away on royal business, and the queen feels lonely. Manik's flute draws her to him again, and she even wishes for a child by him.

When the Syiem returns after a long absence he learns everything and is furious. He has Manik found and orders that he be burnt alive. Queen Lien Makao leaps into the flames of the pyre and gives up her life too.

According to legend, water gathered in a hollow where the pyre stood, the tip of the bamboo turned upward, and the streams of that place are said to weep to this day in memory of the tragedy.

Bhupen Hazarika directed, produced and composed the music and also wrote the screenplay, under the banner of Kamrup Chitra. Pabitra Barkataki played Manik Raitong, Eva Achhaw played Lien Makao and Bishnu Rabha played the Syiem. The cast also included Phani Sarma, Krishna Das, Kamal Choudhury, Maghai Ojha, Vidya Rao and Swagata Chakraborty. The film has five songs.

Hazarika later dubbed the film into Khasi as Kaa Swa Raati and released it commercially.

At the 12th National Film Awards (1964) the film received the Silver Medal for the best film in Assamese. It was counted among the best 100 Indian films of its time and was invited to an international film festival in France. The film is regarded as a milestone in Eva Achhaw's acting career.

In 1984 another film based on the same folk ballad, the Khasi film Manik Raitong, was made. It won the Silver Lotus for the best film in a language not included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.