Analysis of film through the Navarasas

Title - ‘'The Apu Trilogy”

• Director - Satyajit Ray

• Language - Bengali

• Trilogy Details - Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956), Apur Sansar (1959).

• Based on - Pather Panchali (1929) and Aparajito (1932) written by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay

Concept/Theme - Life story of a young Bengali boy Apu from his childhood to adulthood. Based in the early 20th century. Each movie in the trilogy shows the death of one prominent family member that leaves Apu broken each time. Apu faces the pain life offers him at every stage, learning and growing in the process

Navarasa 1 (Picture 1 from left): Compassion/Kāruṇyam.

• Trilogy - Apur Sansar 

• Character - Apu’s wife Aparna

• Scene - Apu is facing problems in his life. He is visibly tense and worried. He promises to find another tutoring job

Aparna looks at her husband with compassion and love. She sympathizes with his feelings and his worries. She rests her chin on his shoulder. Her proximity to her husband is to show her warmth, care and concern. Her gaze is soft and loving. Her hooded eyes are focused on her husband’s words. There is a bit of tension in her forehead expressing the concern that fueled her compassion. The warmth of her loving gaze offers undying solicitude. This beautiful expression is extremely genuine and pure. It makes the viewer instantly empathize.

Navarasa 2 (Picture in the middle): Amazement/Adbhutam

• Trilogy - Pather Panchali 

• Character - Durga’s friend Ranu. Durga is Apu’s sister

• Scene - Durga’s friend Ranu is getting married. She is sitting with all her friends as they are dolling her up. She exchanges this look with Durga.

Ranu gives an expression of amazement and joy when she gets ready for her marriage. It is her special day and everyone around her are excited for her. Her friends exchange grins and express immense joy. Naturally, Ranu is herself very excited for her big day. In those times, marriage was the ultimate goal of the woman/girl. Getting married and having a loving husband was the entire purpose of a girl’s life. Innocent, young Ranu expresses her awe and wonder to her friend Durga. Ranu is amazed by what is going on around her. Even though the expression of amazement is not obvious, the usually calm and serene Ranu flashing a large smile at Durga lets one know that she is excited and amazed. Her eyes are soft as she tries to contain her emotions but her smile is a big giveaway. This expression is read as amazement specifically because Ranu is usually a calm girl who never gives away her emotions. In the scene one can see her looking around in awe. 

Navarasa 3 (Picture 3 - last picture): Peace/Shantam

• Trilogy - Pather Panchali 

• Character - Durga, Apu’s sister

• Scene - Durga finishes her morning prayer and runs off into the fields as it rains. Durga feels the raindrops on her face. She takes a moment to breathe in the beauty. Durga proceeds to dance in the rain while her younger brother Apu watches her from afar

Durga’s eyes are closed. She is touching her face to feel her skin that is wet with rainwater. Her forehead is slightly creased, probably due to the slight unpleasantness that comes from raindrops hitting her face. Yet this expression is of complete peace and surrender. Durga has face upward and towards the sky. It seems as if her soul is one with nature. Despite all the things in her life, in that moment Durga is free. She is not aware and does not care about anyone watching her. Her young and innocent heart finds peace in the rare moment of bonding with mother nature. Indian rains are one of the beautiful and auspicious things to occur. Durga feels this beauty and the divinity of the rains.