Half a century has passed since the release of the critically acclaimed Bengali film “Ashani Sanket” (Distant Thunder), directed by the legendary Satyajit Ray. This landmark film, released in 1973, continues to captivate audiences with its timeless exploration of the human condition, transcending its historical context to resonate with modern-day socio-economic challenges.
The tragic tale of “Ashani Sanket” is set in the backdrop of the heart-wrenching man-made Bengal Famine of 1943, which claimed the lives of more than five million men, women and children.
Satyajit Ray adapted the storyline of the film from the novel of the same name penned by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. A stellar cast, including luminaries like Soumitra Chatterjee, Farida Akhtar Babita, and Sandhya Mukherjee, brought their talents to the screen, adding depth to the film’s narrative. Beyond the historical significance, the film’s examination of human suffering, resilience, and societal upheaval makes “Ashani Sanket” an enduring piece of art that resonates across generations.
As we celebrate its 50th anniversary in the cinema industry, it’s an opportune moment to delve into the film’s enduring impact and timeless relevance to our current social system.
The film transports viewers to the tumultuous era of World War II. During this time, the British government acquired all available rice from the market to allocate rations for their troops engaged in the war effort. This decision triggered a catastrophic shortage of rice in the market, giving rise to the devastating Bengal Famine.
This grim historical event serves as the heart of the narrative for Ray’s masterful storytelling, which encapsulates the intricate interplay between individual lives and larger socio-political circumstances.
The scarcity of rice in the market leads to profound consequences such as eroding self-esteem, widespread criminal activities, assault, murder, prostitution, and a crumbling social order. These symbolic outcomes are depicted through metaphors, montages, and dialogues throughout the film.
Initiating the chain of consequences triggered by the rice price surge, the character Dinabandhu Bhattacharjee comes into focus. As the movie unfolds, we witness Dinabandhu’s poignant act of seeking the male protagonist, Gangacharan, for a meagre portion of rice as Gangacharan makes his way home.
While Gangacharan obliges on this occasion, the narrative later reveals a recurring theme. Dinabandhu visits Gangacharan repeatedly begging for more rice. The ending scene of the film magnifies this phenomenon, where Dinabandhu, accompanied by his entire family, reaches Gangacharan’s doorstep. This progression paints a vivid picture of parasitic dependence, symbolising how a crisis is capable of shattering an individual’s self-esteem, leading to such desperate actions.
In another sequence, we witness the breakdown of casteism, which served as the foundation of the social structure at that time. Amidst the peak scarcity of rice, Gangacharan, despite his status as an educated Brahmin, decides to approach Nibaran Ghosh, a member of a lower caste, to get some rice. Despite the potential clash with his own pride, Gangacharan chooses survival over everything.
