RAY'S STRONG SOCIAL 'DEVI'!

Sharmila Tagore on Satyajit Ray's Bengali film 'Devi's (1960) poster.

In these days I also remembered great Satyajit Ray's Bengali film 'Devi' (Goddess) which focused on 'Superstition'!

Chhabi Biswas & Sharmila Tagore in film 'Devi' (1960).

In 1960, Ray made this film 'Devi' on a short story written by Provatkumar Mukhopadhyay. This story take place in the landlord family of rural Bengal. Kalikinkar Choudhuri (devoted follower of goddess Kali) sees his daughter-in-law Doyamoyee as an avatar of goddess in dream. And starts worshiping her. His elder son and other people also joins him in it. But her sister-in-law finds this ridiculous and she calls Doyamoyee's husband Umaprasad. He returns from Kolkata and sees his wife confused & bound to superstitions!

Soumitra Chatterjee & Sharmila Tagore in 'Devi' (1960).

Legendary actor Chhabi Biswas did the role of father-in-law Kalikinkar in it. Sharmila Tagore portrayed his daughter-in-law Doyamoyee who had to behave like avatar. Soumitra Chatterjee acted as her husband. Purnendu Mukherjee, Karuna Banerjee, Anil Chatterjee, Arpan Chowdhury are in supportive roles!

 

This is Satyajit Ray's strong cinematic comment on social issue. His cinematographer Subrata Mitra appropriately captured the scenes and Dulal Dutta precisely edited a film. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan composed the music accordingly!

Great Satyajit Ray.

This 60 years old film is still contemporary in this so called educated & intellectual society, in which people are still lives with 'such beliefs'!!

Tribute to this important film!!

 - Manoj Kulkarni