RAY'S GENIUS-
India's two most significant historical events through the prism of two children’s movies
Two of the most significant events from modern Indian history, that we have been reminded the most in the last few years, would be the Partition (1947) and the Emergency (1975). Both these events represent a testing period in our relatively short history as an independent nation. Both these events have shaped our indian society, as we know it today.
Whether we have learnt our lessons from the trials and tribulations faced during these events, or are we susceptible to making the same errors all over again, is for the future to judge.
I was born in 1986, well after the after effects of these two events had also died down. Most of my contemporaries and future generations, who form the "youth" today, have merely heard about these 2 events or read about them in history books. For us, the impact of these two dark phases are merely theoretical.
It is the context of these two horrific events, I would like to discuss two of my favourite Satyajit Ray movies. The genius of Ray has been spoken about so often, that I do not want to even attempt to make another effort in this regard.
Diving straight into, what I truly enjoy, i.e., discussing movies. The two movies I want to discuss in this post, are interestingly both childrens movies. As a child, in the early 90s before the advent of cable television, during the summer holidays on Sunday afternoon, DD Bangla would show a childrens movie. Two movies which were an absolute favourite as child ( and which I can still re-watch any time, as many times, even today) were Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne and its sequel, Hirak Rajar Deshe.
I don’t think there is any Bangali child from my generation, who has not been shown these 2 movies by their parents and haven’t fallen in love with these characters. Also, i sincerely hope the current generation of kids, love these 2 movies as much as we did, because if they aren't, they are missing out on something special.
• Basic plot line of the movies
Both these movies show the adventures of 2 foolhardy young men, who get superpowers by accident—Goopy Gyne (played by Tapan Chatterjee) and Bagha Byne (played by the genius, Rabi Ghosh). As a matter of fact, these should qualify as the first super hero movies in India.
Goopy and Bagha are two village dimwits. Goopy loves to sing and Bagha loves to play the drum, although they are both terrible at it.
As a result of their horrible singing and drum playing, the village folks throw them out of the village. Sad and distressed, they seek refuge in a forest, where they chance upon each other.
In order to keep away evil spirits, they try to sing a song, albeit out of tune. Even though the song is completely out of tune, the King of Ghosts (Bhooter Raja) who lives in the jungle is mighty pleased by their performance. Bhooter Raja appears and offers 3 wishes to Goopy and Bagha.
In a beautiful, yet typical depiction, of a Bengali's 3 main aspirations in life, the 3 boons that they seek are-- (1) be able to travel anywhere, (2) be able to eat whatever they wish and (3) be able change into whatever clothes they wish to.
Another beautiful little spin of brotherhood that Ray introduces, is that for the two to avail of any of these boons, they must wear a pair of magical slippers and clap their hands. In a beautiful way, he ensured that for the protagonists to enjoy the boons, must always stay united and be friends forever.
Along with these 3 boons, the Bhooter Raja also blessed them with the superpower that whenever they perform a song, everyone listening will be hypnotised and will be rendered motionless. The link to all the songs (for whoever is interested)-- they are truly hypnotic.
Armed with the boons and the super singing ability, our heroes proceed with their adventures in both the movies.
• Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne and the Partition.
Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne released in the year 1968 (shot between 1966-67), precisely 20 years after the partition (the timeline is important, as I will show a little later).
The basic plot relates to the story of 2 neighbouring nations ruled by twin brothers (played brilliantly by Santosh Dutta). One nation, "Shundi", is ruled by a compassionate ruler and is prosperous. On the other hand the neighbouring nation ("Hulla", literally means a “war-cry”) is ruled by a crazy maverick ruler, who is under the control of his Senapati/MahaMantri (head of army). In Hulla, the mahamantri has drugged the Ruler and is constantly egging him to wage war against his brother’s nation, i.e., Shundi.
The two nations' contrasting economic condition is shown through the movie. The peace loving Shundi is prosperous with its citizens having plenty of food and resources. Hulla on the other hand is ravaged by war and the citizens are suffering from poverty and hunger. The climax is an hilarious and yet poignant depiction of this very distinction. While Hulla's army is about to attack Shundi, Goopy and Bagha use their super power to make sweets- rossogulla and sandesh, fall from the sky, and the Hulla army is so excited seeing so much delicious food, that they forget about the war and start hogging on them.
Eventually the evil Mahamantri is defeated and maverick ruler of Hulla is saved and re-united with his brother in Shundi. It is at this point, the poor distraught Hulla ruler tells his brother, "we were so happy 20 years earlier, when we were together-- look what the separation has done, it allowed the minister to poison my brain, to such extent that I almost waged war against my own brothers"
As I stated earlier, the timeline and this dialogue is the genius of Ray. In such a simple yet hard hitting dialogue, the 20 years history of India and Pakistan, in the backdrop of the 1965 war was shown. Indians and Pakistanis were after all brothers living together only 20 years ago, who were separated by "evil" politicians and made to fight each other.
Obviously, Hulla was Pakistan, the failed State, with huge economic distress, having been caused by political decisions of waging war against India, while India under the able leadership of Nehru and Shastri had managed to establish a peaceful and prosperous nation.
• Hirak Rajar Deshe and the Emergency
Hirak Rajar Deshe released in 1980, in the aftermath of the Emergency (1975-77). The excesses of the Emergency have been well documented and reminded to us again and again and again in the last 7 years. Hirak Rajar Deshe was a satirical take on the Emergency about a fictitious nation called Hirak (land of diamonds) which is ruled by a dictatorial leader—Hiraker Raja (played brilliantly by the great, Utpal Dutt).
As the name suggests, Hirak is the land of diamonds. It is an extremely rich and powerful nation. The world is told about its riches and power. However, the “internal matter” of this nation was an altogether different story—the poor were oppressed, schools were shut because education was considered a matter for fools and anyone who tried to speak up against the administration were literally brainwashed.
The primary protagonist in the movie was a teacher, Udayan Pandit (played by Ray’s favourite, Soumitra Chatterjee). His school was shut down by the administration and books burnt. He had to flee to save his life.
While closing the school the mantra given to the students to memorise was: -
Janar chesta britha tai (desire to acquire knowledge is hence futile)
The Administration maintained a “JantarMantar” chamber which was managed by a maverick scientist (played by Santosh Dutta). Whoever opposed or tried to speak up against Administration were sent to this chamber to be brainwashed (Mogoj dholai).
In a telling sequence, the poet who sang a beautiful song, “kotoi rongo dekhi duniya e”, pointing out the gross failure of the administration and the sufferings of the poor—instead of being rewarded is declared to be a “dangerous man” and sent to the JantarMantar chamber to be “cured”.
Obviously, being a childrens movie all this is shown in a light manner amidst song and dance and rhyming dialogues.
Hiraker Raja organises a massive International Meet to show his power to the world. Our super heroes, Goopy and Bagha makes a visit to Hirak as representatives of Shundi and Hulla, being the sons-in-law of the Kings (they had married the daughters of the kings of Shundi and Hulla at the end of GGBB). On the way they have a chance meeting with Udayan Pandit, and after hearing his story, agree to ally with him to expose the Hiraker Raja. So the adventure begins.
Eventually, they manage to buy out the army using diamonds that they steal in a hilarious heist from the clutches of “Baag mama” (a Royal Bengal Tiger). Then they buy the scientist and rejig the MogojDholai machine to brain wash the King and Ministers. Finally, we see the rising of the citizens against the evil Hiraker Raja, and pull down his statue. Hilariously, in the climax, the King and Ministers, who have now been brainwashed, also help the citizens pull down the statue.
The parallels to the Emergency are aplenty and for everyone to see—the clampdown of Media, “brainwashing” and suppression of the common citizenry, chest-thumping demonstration of power to the international community and suppression of dissent.
It’s been 70 years to the horrific partition and we just celebrated 25 years to the horrors of the Emergency. Hopefully we never have to see those signs again—oh wait—but are we already seeing it.
Two of the most used phrases for “history” are “we must learn from history” and “history always repeats itself”. I really hope we much rather learn from the horrific history and not allow history to repeat itself.
This is a movie appreciation post, and no place for politics, so will refrain from talking about recent political incidents which may result in another Partition type communal stress and violence (*cough* CAA/NRC *cough*) or Emergency type clampdown in the hands of a megalomaniac leader (*cough* Central Vista, Statue of Unity *cough* student violence* cough*). Sorry, about the excessive coughing-- definitely not a good sign in current times.
To conclude, in the times of horrific and disastrous remakes of classics, I hope we don’t need a remake of either of these two classics in the context of “current times”.
Coughing too much in these times can get you in trouble.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any of these movies. Thanks for head start, will do so now.
ReplyDeleteGreat read @Uday on Manikda's works.
ReplyDeleteHe was a giant of a man who used to paint his set designs and compose music as well.
Interesting read.
Keep writing.
Nice name....Filmyvakil