Critique: The Apu Trilogy

The Apu Trilogy is the most celebrated series of Indian Cinema. The trilogy consists of three ageless movies in Bangla: Pather Panchali, Aparajito and Apur Sansar based on works of Bangla writer Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. The movies and the man behind them- Satyajit Ray became legends of cinema-folklore. They won numerous National and International awards apart from exceptional critical acclaim putting the man at par with Akira Kurosawa, another legend.

Pather Panchali is story of young Apu who is born into a Brahmin family in Bengal. Though they belong to high caste, they are poor. This reflects the fact that poverty is not restricted to any caste or community. His father faces difficulties in maintaining family budget and when Apu’s sister Durga dies, the family decides to move to Benares. The influence of famed movie Bicycle Thieves is evident from Ray’s cinema.

Second movie, Aparajito continues from where Pather Panchali drew the curtains. Family finances are still dwindling and Apu’s father expires. Apu and his mother returns to rural Bengal. Nothing suits more than homeland. It highlights nostalgia of a Bengali commoner. Despite of tight economics at home front, Apu gets proper education which is a must in upper castes in Bengal. Fortunately, he proves to be a good student. However, he faces numerous issues at home and when his mother dies, everything ends… the issues with his mother and a support for growing Apu. He finally learns how to live alone.

The final story in the trilogy, Apur Sansar is unique in story telling and content. Apu gives a try to writing as a career and in course of events marry a girl. The girl is a strong character as before her marriage to Apu, she rejected a groom with ill mental state. Ray identifies the enlightened Bengali girls with this character. Life after marriage is beautiful but it doesn’t last long. She dies during child birth and in rage, Apu abandons his child. Finally, every thing falls at right place as Apu realizes that he is at mistake and accepts his responsibilities.

Without compromising on ethics, Ray created magic. The trilogy was supported by the West Bengal Government. He suffered many setbacks due to lack of funds and rejecting funding when the producer wanted a command on script. He began with amateur talent and many of them received acclaim of highest level. Example- Sharmila Tagore, Soumitra Chatterjee, Subrata Mitra (cameraman) and Bansi Chandragupta (art director). The music of the trilogy was created by Ravi Shankar.

Today, the trilogy is not rated as the best of Parallel Cinema or Indian Cinema… it is considered to be a part of the cream of Global Cinema. Apu’s influence and popularity can be judged by a small example- a character in American animated series The Simpsons is name Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

For The Reel; Written By: Sujoy Ghosh