If you are among those few who revere Hindi cinema and the legendary filmmakers, then the cinephile in you must not miss out on the beauty captured in the camera lens by an extremely adept filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
Despite the archetypal difference between the west and the east it was the vision and proficiency of a master – Satyajit Ray – which brought global viewing for Indian cinema. What Ray gave the global cinema was a package that had the best of both worlds. With his love for cinema, he honed his cinematic skills by taking inspiration from the West but it was the simplicity borrowed from his mother country which he sketched on the canvas. His was a perfect blend of art, emotions and technique.
As an ode to this auteur, we list the top 5 Satyajit Ray films that you ought to watch:
Pather Panchali
This “Song of the Little Road” was never on his mind. In fact Satyajit Da was happy with his job at British Advertising Company. But after reading Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s novel by same, Satyajit Da decided to test his cinematic skills. He won hands down. His film garnered accolades from around the world. The film thematically captured the culture and the beauty of rural Bengal and seamed it into drama and a narrative which only made it more stunning. Pather Panchali was graced with many awards amongst which it also won two National film awards.
Aparajito
Ray’s debut film had won hearts and it was time that he emerged as “The Unvanquished.” With Aparajito he became the unconquerable. This film which was a sequel to Pather Panchali became a coming of the age story, the story of Apu and his world. Many believe this film to be semi-autobiographical as Ray adroitly inserted his sense and sensibility to make this film come alive. The film doesn’t sum up Apu’s story but does play at emotions which make it a haunting tragedy. The death of Apu’s father is one such heartbreaking scene. Aparajito was not as successful as Pather Panchali but was received well by the audience. This film went on to win awards at many film festivals across the globe and was cited to be amongst greatest movies of all times.
Apur Sansar
“The World Of Apu” came to a conclusion with this film. Apur Sansar was the final installment of the The Apu Trilogy. This film captured the mindless wandering of the youth of the time and the quest of the protagonist, Apu. Owing to the circumstances Apu is forced to marry Aparna but soon his world becomes one with hers. And when all starts looking right; Aparna dies while delivering their baby. Apu shuns his baby and becomes a recluse travelling the lengths and breadths of India. But soon Apu realizes his paternal responsibility and returns to his son. This one is a heart wrenching film which leaves us with a ghost of smile as Apu reunites with his son.
Parash Patthar
Even before J.K.Rowling got the thoughts streaming, it was our very own Satyajit Da who made “The Philosopher’s Stone” possible. The fantasy-comedy that revolves around a middle class clerk is a story of how the clerk finds a stone that turns things into gold. This film was way different from Ray’s previous films. This was a different saga altogether. This rib tickling film hinted at the sense of humor and the comic timing of the auteur and at the same time commented on the simple and naïve notions of a worker.
Devi
A country which believes in deification and idol worship, this film hails true even after ages. This film righteously brings out how the innocence gets crushed in the male dominated society and how a woman is forced to turn into a goddess. A young gullible girl who gets married in a religious household is forced to endure the insipid notions of the family. After her father-in-law’s weird dream, the life changes for this innocent girl. Blind faith and superstitions that form crux of the story are also likely to evoke a laugh or two from the audience.
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