One of the top 100 films in world cinema ? Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali (Angel; DVD, Rs 399) is based on Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s novel about a poor family struggling to survive. Winning two National Awards and 13 international awards, it’s a quiet reverie of life in the village. Very human, very alive and stunning poetry of life. As a debut film it is also considered the most striking first film in movie history. This is the first of the Apu Trilogy with Apur Sansar and Aparajito which followed. The best thing about Pather Panchali is that though it deals with the grim struggle of survival by a poor family, it has no trace of melodrama. It has a universal humanist appeal. Life is all about little happiness, big tragedies. The wonders of life are stark and simple ? running to see a train in the white kaash flower field, following the candyseller around the village or coming face to face with death at a tender age. The character of Indir Thakrun the old aunt is a lovable creation. Played by an 80-year-old Chunibala, a retired theatre performer who relished coming back into the limelight after 30 years of obscurity. Reason enough to possess the masterpiece, especially in its 50th anniversary year. With English subtitles.

Honoured with the National Award (1971), President’s Gold Medal in 1972 and acclaimed internationally, Seemabaddha (Angel; DVD, Rs 399) is the second of Satyajit Ray’s Calcutta Trilogy. The other two are Pratidwandi (1971) and Jana Aranya (1975). Based on the novel by Mani Shankar Mukherjee, Ray builds up the situation where this young educated youth slips further down in an effort to clamber up to the top. This psychological drama follows Shyamal’s (Barun Chanda) climb up the corporate ladder. His sister-in-law Tutul (Sharmila Tagore) is his conscience. She witnesses how the once ideological Shyamal has changed. Desperate to become the Director he resorts to unethical means. When he realises he’s fallen from the hero’s pedestal in Tutul’s eyes, he’s visibly embarrassed. The climb up the stairs metaphorically slackens as he reaches the top floor. Tutul removes the watch given by Shyamal while we see Shyamal from above a ceiling fan, with his head bowed in his hand and Tutul fading away. The scene speaks volumes. Seemabadhha remains a film for keeps. The DVD comes with English subtitles.