Satyajit Ray is one of the world’s most renowned film makers and his first
movie, Pather Panchali(Song of the little road) is a masterpiece in all
aspects.The movie is the first of the Apu Trilogy and is one of the best movies , earth has produced.The movie shot in 1955 is based on Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay’s novel.
I was sitting back relaxed to see this movie this year , 50 years since the movie was shot.I couldn’t imagine that it took my breath off with its awesome story
narration, cinematography, performances and direction which I find rarely in sync with
modern day films.
The story revolves round the family and poverty of Harihar Ray(Kanu Bannerjee).His wife is played by Sarbojaya Ray and I should tell you about the leads in special.Their
children Durga and Apu played by Uma Das Gupta and Subir Bannerjee respectively, portray the situations of the family and beauty of innocence in manner , you feel like the movie is just more than reality.
This is a movie that makes you think.The scenes of Durga stealing fruits from her aunt’s orchid, her relationship with her granny and brother are examples of how films should be made.The introduction of Apu in the movie is just a groundbreaking statergy.The scenes of rain and the beauty of the weather and the music by Ravi shankar is just haunting.The notes of storm and struggles in the final scenes that puts Durga to her death bed is masterpiece filmmaking.Dialogues like, the old Granny saying ’’Durga is a child’’ and Mrs.hari delivers ’’You’re not’’ , are few examples of lovely narration of the film that makes you sit glued although the movie is snail-paced.
Subrata Mitra’s cinematography never makes you feel you are watching a 1955 indian film.No doubt this film was chosen as one of the best 100 movies ever by time
magazine.The depth of sorrow, the beauty of innocence, love and hatred, poverty and glory of human feelings everthing brought together under one awesome umbrella by Ray.
Pather Panchali is a movie that remains a milestone in Indian movie industry and I would recommend the new directors of Indian cinema to take a look at this movie and grow their attitude towards film making which is not only for money but there is a passion underlying the art.