TWO

"There is always room for improvisation"

                                                  - Satyajit Ray 

Hey guys!

2nd May, 1921 witnessed the birth of a filmmaker who single-handedly revolutionized Indian Bengali cinema. Satyajit Ray, was regarded as the greatest filmmaker in the 20th century. He directed 36 films including films, documentaries and shorts. He was also a fiction writer. His first film Pather Panchali won 11 international awards. The government of India honored him with the Bharat Ratna, highest civilian award, in 1992. 

                     

This post is primarily dedicated to one of his finest short films- ' Two '

Directed in 1964, it's a black and white short film, made a part of a trilogy of short films from India. It shows an encounter between two kids. One belonging to a rich aristocratic family and one living in a small hut, on the street. Its shot entirely from the upscale house of the rich kid. It's a silent film and the window in the kid's room plays the most important role in this encounter. Critics believe this film was made to promote an anti war statement, post the Vietnam war. 

                   

 

The film uses a few basic symbols, to distinguish the characters of both the kids. It begins with the rich kid sipping Coca-Cola from a bottle, which was considered to be a beverage for the rich. On a lazy afternoon, he uses his toys and such items to entertain himself when he comes across a street kid, playing a flute from his window. Whereas the poor kid flies an old dusty kite. In order to compete with the poor kid and prove his power, the rich kid uses all kinds of high tech toys and instruments, to overpower the simple toys/instruments the street kid plays. He even uses a toy rifle to shoot down the kite the street kid tries to play with. But neither the expensive toys, nor the extremely powerful noise of his instruments, could in the end overpower the soothing and melodious tune of the flute. 

 

 

This films depicts a war, a battle in the minds of two children. One from a privileged background and the other from the streets, who has possibly suffered a lot of harshness in life. The rich kid tries to win over every time by materializing, but the most simplest of objects and mindsets prevail in the end. It shows not a lot of money or expensive objects, can give you happiness. It's the happiness in your soul and mind that lasts. Even using the most limited resources, the flute music encapsulates the silent aura of the film, which the rich kid's most precious toy noises couldn't. 

Was it an attempt to prove the caste divide that existed in the society, or that war is pointless and only peace prevails, we don't know. But this movie sure reaches that portion of the heart where it should. 

Below is an attachment to the YouTube link of the short film. Please watch. 

We personally recommend this video to everyone. Incredibly satisfying and a must watch. 

We will come back with a new post soon. 

We apologise for the long gap. Till then HAPPY BLOGGING! 

Images: Google images

Video: YouTube

Written by: Mrittika Gupta

                         Arundhati Dutta