Probashi- Cover Story
Probashi- Cover Story
Making of Pather Panchali
connections got him audience with technique but more about the been reached . Pather Panchali all the top producers of Bangla ability to observe the subject and seemed a dream unrealized . The movies . But his idea of making a third most of the established critics clamoured “ we knew it ”. realistic film ( san song and dance ) cameramen were sceptical about with an amateur crew and first time location shooting especially the
Ray was depressed , Suprabha , Ray ’ s actors with on site shooting ( never rain scenes . With some hits and mother , set aside her disapproval of tried before in Indian Cinema ), ala misses , Mitra learned to use the her son dabbling into film making
Bicycle Thieves , found no takers . He movie camera , an ungainly and and requested a friend who knew Dr spent two years scourging for funds . heavy Mitchell , on the job . The PC Roy the then Chief Minister of
The final verdict was “ It sounds gamble paid off , Pather Panchali West Bengal to enquire if wonderful the way you relate it . But has been heralded for its excellent Government could help with funds . you , with no experience would not cinematography . Subrata Mitra A meeting with the Chief Minister realize even fifty percent of your subsequently went on to become was arranged and the CM saw the idea ”. India ’ s most celebrated preview footage and concluded cinematographer and pioneered rather erroneously that these were
With no funding in sight , Ray many new techniques like the use the starting scenes of a decided to put in his personal funds of bounce lighting . documentary on rural life and to make some parts of the movie sanctioned government funds with and show those parts to the The village where the film was to an advice for the Director “ see if producers as a marketing tool for be shot was Boral , now part of the you can ensure that the family joins getting additional funds . Ray took a Garia neighbourhood of Kolkata . A a government run community loan of Rs . 7500 against his ramshackle and derelict house was development project ”, Ray however insurance policy . That , in addition to the biggest attraction here which kept silent . Later Dr . BC Roy would some help from friends , came up to would be the main set for the become one of the most ardent Rs . 9500 . Ray also sold his art books house of Harihar and Sarbajaya . admirers of Ray ’ s works . and music records to further The house was taken on rent at Rs . Government of West Bengal put in supplement the funds . With that 50 / month . Bansi Chandragupta the Rs 2 lakhs , the entire cost of the amount Ray the team decided to art director set out to work on film . For some unfathomable start rolling . The shooting started in making the house look appropriate . early 1953 . All this time Ray For the first time plaster over continued to work with DJ Kheymer , bamboo mats were used , now a who gave him flexibility to pursue mainstay in set making in India . his dream .
The unit started shooting ; the One unforeseen problem cropped money was running precariously
up‐ the cinematographer selected low . Bijoya , Ray ’ s wife , pawned her by Ray was away shooting in jewellery . The unit managed to can Madras . The mantle fell on the 21 4000 feet of film which they could year old Subrata Mitra who was the now show to prospective financiers assistant cinematographer . But after suitable editing . The editing there was a problem here , Subrata team of Ray , Subrata Mitra and Anil a friend of Ray , had never in his life Choudhury would take the bus to shot a single foot of reel with a the cine laboratory where editing movie camera . He was essentially a was being done . Ray being over 6 still photographer with great feet tall would stand on the interest in movies and had seen at footboard of the bus , for being close quarters films being shot , but inside would have his head banging never from behind a movie camera . on the bus ceiling . Why did Ray take such a risk ? One because he admired the way Mitra Belying Ray ’ s expectations the composed his still photographs , preview film did not do any second Ray believed that miracles as far as securing finances cinematography is less about was concerned . A dead end had reason the money came from Government of West Bengal ’ s Road Development fund , the CM ’ s view of it seemingly being a rural development documentary must have played in the minds of the bureaucrats who did the paperwork for the sanction . Government financial systems are not designed for making films . The money would come in instalments . Once the instalment was spent , Ray was required to submit bills which were scrutinized by the government accountants and on being satisfied that Ray ’ s accounting was correct , would the next instalment be released . During the interim the film shooting would remain suspended for want of funds . All the rights to the film were to rest with Government of West Bengal . When Pather Panchali was awarded the President ' s Award for the Best film , it was Director of Publicity , Govt of