A moving, utterly authentic portrayal of day to day village life, through the eyes of a boy and his sister, ‘Pather Panchali’ (Song of the Road) was first published in 1929. Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhyay was an immensely popular writer in Bengal and Pather Panchali was his greatest work. This beautiful English translation by TW Clark and Tarapada Mukherji retains a distinct Bangla flavour.
‘Pather Panchali’ captivatingly captures the life of four members of a family in stunning details. Opu and Durga and parents Shorbhojoya and Horihor, living in their dilapidated home in Nishchindipur.
Horihor is an intelligent, but impractical man apparently incapable of earning enough to support his family. Wife Shorbhojoya loves both their children, especially her son, whom she dotes on. Her playful conversations with him are an endearing mollycoddling typical of a mother. Her maternal warmth is palpable through her games of hide ‘n’ seek and the loving fondness with which she sees her son grow. Durga too loves her younger brother, forever including him in all her thoughts and her play.
But most of all, the novel is about Opu, seen through his eyes. Opu’s growth from a baby-talking infant, to a young boy discovering the world around him, his first walk outside the village, seeing a factory for the first time, his games, time spent in school, desires to join the jatra, his painful separation from Durga, and finally leaving the village he was born in, is all tenderly documented.
Besides them, beautifully etched characters like Indir Thakrun, a far-off old aunt living her last years and Shokithakrun, a melodramatic rabble rousing neighbour also make their mark. The plight of old unwanted people like Indir Thakrun and the way her life ends is touching.
The novel depicts abject poverty. For this family, simple things like a new piece of cotton cloth or a custard apple are sheer luxury. Yet, no one is sullen and depressed due to their economic insufficiencies. The children derive joy from the little treasures village life offers them- trees, fruits, dusty paths, rains, lush grass, songs of birds, and flowers. Life’s path is strewn with thorns, yet they have an unending enthusiasm for living, an innocent wonderment of exploring every new day which is not at all mawkish and unconvincing. Class differences between haves and have-nots, the way the children stare at sweetmeats with wondrous amazement, tugs at your heartstrings. Makes you immediately want to take Durga and Opu out for a treat.
The powerful imagery of the novel stays with you: like Opu’s birth, Shorbhojoya trying to play cards cunningly, the kids discovering a railway track, Opu seeing a train for the first time, Durga being accused of stealing, a child’s thoughts and apprehensions on his first day at school, Durga’s unfulfilled desire to see a train… all can almost be felt happening in front of the reader’s eyes.
Although, structurally this work may seem a tad disjointed, but the end result is a relaxed read that grows on you as you delve further into the lives of Opu and Durga till you find yourself walking with them the roads of Nishchindipur. ‘Pather Panchali’ is said to be a more or less autobiographical account of Bandopadhyay’s own childhood. Bandopadhyay displays astute understanding of the world through a child’s eyes, mind and lips and he writes without a trace of adult condescension. Seemingly, Bandopadhyay never let the child in him grow up as he wrote this novel. His writing has a much more moving and imaginative quality than many today. Whatever, the incident being narrated, however commonplace it may be, Bandopadhyay extraordinarily tells it in a way that makes it come alive.
I strongly recommend parents of 9-10 year olds to buy them this book, to realise that despite being terribly deprived some poor children enjoy life regardless. It is a must read for a young child, or even adults to consider themselves very fortunate compared to Opu and Durga. Children today do not have an innocence that causes fascination in simple things. It is difficult to imagine any child today getting taken-in by the simple pleasures of what nature has to offer like Opu and Durga. (I didn’t either). I can’t say how well this age group may react to this book as they are presently struck by the wizardy of the Harry Potter series. But, I for one have found the right gift for my 11 year old nephew for my next visit. Elders too would enjoy this book for its sheer simplicity and a fascinating depiction of life in a village. This novel takes you back to innocence.
Go ahead and walk the roads of Nishchindipur in rural Bengal, while I’m busy kicking myself for not having seen Satyajit Ray’s film based on this novel.
