Outlook – July 20, 2019

by Rajat Roy

....Wars between neighbours

Wars between nations

Only lead to death and destruction....

Why then are you fighting this war?

Yes, why then are you fighting this war?

A

S film stories go, this is one of the sim-

plest. Two bumbling musicians—a

singer and a drummer—come together

in funny circumstances and become

friends; they travel to strange lands,

occ asionally inte ntionally and are

granted three wishes by the “bhooter raja”

(king of goblins), one of which gives them mas-

tery over their crafts. They move kings and

commoners alike with their songs, prevents a

war, marry two princesses and live happily

ever after. It was essentially meant to be a chil-

dren’s film, like the story it was based on.

But Goopi Gyne Bagha Byne by Satyajit Ray, one

of India’s most influential film-makers ever,

turned out to be much more—a cult classic with

its stark anti-war message that remains relevant

50 years after Goopi and Bagha embarked on

their epic adventure. When it was released in the

summer of 1969, the fantasy-adventure film

laced with beautiful music was an instant hit with

children. But what came as a surprise, perhaps,

was the resonance the film found with adults.

Bengali film thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, who

FILMY TRIVIA (Top) Visitors at an exhibi-

tion on the film; and a still from the movie.

Fifty years after Satyajit Ray made the cult

classic, its anti-war message remains relevant

RAY’S CANVAS

ON CELLULOID

CINEMILESTONE

SANDIPAN CHATTERJEE

60 OUTLOOK 22 July 2019