They say, ‘Youth is a gift of nature but age is a work of art’. To me, age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Probably, such a view of mine is reinstated by a Bengali film that I watched a few days ago: Benche Thakar Gaan, directed by Abhijit Guha and Sudeshna Roy, and scripted by Padmanabha Dasgupta. 

We are surviving a time marked by social anomie and cultural regression, where predicament surrounding our identity, morbid urban angst and social insecurities in a competitive market-driven economy are eating up the easy way of life and its exuberance. Life is being redefined as a purposeless pursuit of mundane pleasure. In the midst of such a waning time, Benche Thakar Gaan is a rare cinematic exercise that motivates one to lead a life full of hope, empathy and companionship. 

It narrates the story of two passionate psychiatrists (Dr Partha Sinha and Dr Paramita Sen) and a couple of housemaids taking care of a group of middle-income elderly individuals coming from diverse social backgrounds, all plunked by their families and sheltered in an old-age home. The tale gradually unfolds, elaborating the miserable past lives of all the characters taking refuge in the home, including those of the two psychiatrists. It recounts the web of intricate relationships woven among the various characters, neatly. It views the oddities of life in the light of suave and subtle humour and leaves a social comment without being preachy. The zest for life wins in the end. That makes the song of life a melodious one. 

Gargee Roychowdhury and Tota Roy Choudhury’s performances are truly commendable. Of all, I loved watching Damini Basu playing a maid, Paran Bandopadhyay and Sohag Sen playing two of the elderly characters. The other actors have justified their roles too. 

The story attracted me the most and kudos to Abhijit and Sudeshna for conceptualising and executing such a highly emotive yet not sentimental plot skillfully.  Padmanabha’s script needs special mention. He has intertwined remorse and humour so deftly.

Despite all constraints, Bengali cinema is offering us thoughtful and creative content. Benche Takar Gaan is another example of that effort.