Into Apu’s Kingdom

Content by: Shib Shankar Nandi

A soulful journey that speak to rejoice with the treasures of life, tell us that life is a long run to
participate and not to quit. Turning Bibhutibhusan Banerjee’s masterpiece into a magnum opus of silver
screen, Satyajit Ray’s hard work definitely poured honey to the history of Indian cinema. Film lovers can
proudly thank Bicycle Thieves- the film and Government of West Bengal state, India which became a
part to make “the song of the little road” to set a footnote in the history of World cinema.

Wait…why we are thanking Vittorio De Sica’s movie? Well, literally, it ignited a spark of film making
inside Mr. Ray, and we all know how the then state government of Bengal came forward to complete
the project; thus making India’s parallel movie dreams coming true.

Apu 1

Apu Played by: Subir Banerjee

The “Best Human Document” awarded by Cannes International Film Festival in 1956, Pother Panchalee-
Song of the little road is just not only a film but a mirror reflecting humane and prosperity. The
prosperity of the then rural side of Bengal, it’s people, their ideologies and dreams, their efforts to live
a better life. The first part of the trilogy, witness the
birth of Apu. His childhood is surrounded with his
elder sister Durga, his mother and father who is a priest by profession and his village Nischintipur.

Durga is an important part to support Apu’s

A still from Pother Panchalee: mother Sarbajaya , Durga and Apu

character. The prolific scenes of Durga helping Apu to get ready for school; the phenomenal shot of both of them running towards the rail line through the Kans
grass field to experience how a passing train looks like. One can imagine it as a dream running towards
an unknown wonder to discover. Also the notable scene, where Durga and Apu stare at the electric
poles in wonder, shows the urge to discover the unknown. The strong brother-sister bond is very much
soothing in the film.

Though we expect happy conclusion in films, Pother Panchalee teaches us that life is a continuous
journey to fulfill. The father is out of town; the mother struggles to put effort to sure her children’s
safety in a natural calamity, as well looking after Durga who is down with pneumonia. The father after
coming back founds a knocked down home both by the storm and his daughter’s death. He decides to
leave the village and move to Varanasi. The last touching moment shows the family moving out of the
village to start a new life. Mr. Director has creatively shown the true meaning of human life, where one
must carry on it’s expedition.

Apu 2

Apu from Aparajito in Calcutta

Apu Played by: Pinaki Sen Gupta


Aparajito (1956)- the second chapter of the trilogy deals more with the bond between a mother-son
relationship. The film starts with the 1913 era Varanasi, where Apu’s father is a priest, lives with his
family in a rented room. 10-year-old Apu, is popular among his friends who also involves in childish
mischief’s.

Time passes by and the family one day was lashed by fate. Apu’s father dies; the mother soon leaves
Varanasi among with her son with a newly found household job in a Bengali family. They move to a
village in Bengal where Apu starts learning the Hindu rituals and other works of a priest. One day he
founds out the local high school and asks his mother to let him start his education life again. Time
observes a brilliant Apu determined to achieve his goals. He construct his own sun dial, discovers Africa
and Europe through books.

His high school result allows him to study in Calcutta. Though mother didn’t wanted to let her child
out from the village at first, later she changes her decision. Apu works in a press at night and carry his
college life in the morning.

Ray wisely portrayed the struggle of a village boy who wants to survive in an alien environment. Also,
the power of motherhood is carefully illustrated by Satyajit Ray showing the affection and motivation to
make her child able to survive in the world like a noble man.

Apu 3

Apu Played by: Soumitra Chatterjee

The trilogy ends with Apur Sansar (1959), where Apu is a lonely man in the beginning, marries Aparna,
his college friend Pulu’s cousin unexpectedly and hereby starting his own married life. Their attachment
increases day by day with sheer jolliness of life. But tragedy again struck Apu. His wife dies while giving
birth to his first-born Kajol. In frustration, he refuses to see his child and goes away far from his native
land. Pulu searched him out working in a colliery thus making him realize about Apu’s parental duty.

Apu and his son Kajol

He visits his in-laws in Khulna to see his son where he discovers a cheerful lad. The expected “happy
ending” of the film strikes here, when Apu’s son cannot recognize his father but his father’s friendly
behavior makes the child to step out with the stranger i.e. Apu to meet his father.

The trilogy represents a man’s life that points on the pain and joy, ups and down, while living. The effort
by Mr. Ray is indeed a delightful platter, which should be tasted by all.

Photos from: Google images