Sunday, August 02, 2015

The Broken Nest






As Satyajit Ray reached the zenith among the film-makers of his time, from all over the world, people inevitably had to speculate: What was Ray's favourite, or critically the best, among his films; Pather Panchali, Apur Sansar, Kanchenjunga, What? Until all admirers and critics agreed, and Ray never denied, that he loved his Charulata more than any other, before or after.

It is probably the only film in which he included Tagore's own poem from the novella on which Charulata was based, Nastanirh (The Broken Nest). The poem, Aami Chini Go Chini, was sung by none other than Kishore Kumar, arguably the most versatile and talented singer of the time (whose first wife, Ruma Thakurta, was related to Ray on one hand, and to Tagore on another). 

Kishore, in his autobiography, wrote that when the invitation to sing without any musical accompaniment, came from Ray, Kishore actually panicked. But finally he sang the song in the film without music, and not only that, he went beyond: Kishore, who had an incredible eccentric insecurity, such that he would go to any length to ensure that he received payment for his work in advance, including creating a laughable and crazy situation unless he was paid, this man, Kishore, actually flew to Calcutta and back with his own money (!) and, when Ray could afford to pay him only Rs. 5,000 for singing, he declined for the only time in his life, and was proud to sing for Ray for free.

Kishore Kumar


Please also visit my earlier blog post Nastanirh: The Broken Nest (September 27, 2012) in which I have posted some pictures related to Ray's film, Charulata.

Just in passing, I would like to relate here another important anecdote: Tagore actually wrote Nastanirh (filmed as Charulata), based on one of the very important aspects of his life: the confused relationship between him and  his sister-in-law.


Aami Chini Go Chini (Bengali)

আমি      চিনি গো চিনি    তোমারে ওগো বিদেশিনী।
তুমি      থাক সিন্ধুপারে    ওগো বিদেশিনী॥
তোমায়  দেখেছি শারদপ্রাতে,    তোমায়    দেখেছি মাধবী রাতে,
তোমায়  দেখেছি হৃদি-মাঝারে    ওগো বিদেশিনী।
আমি     আকাশে পাতিয়া কান    শুনেছি    শুনেছি তোমারি গান,
আমি     তোমারে সঁপেছি প্রাণ    ওগো বিদেশিনী।
         ভুবন ভ্রমিয়া শেষে       আমি      এসেছি নূতন দেশে,
আমি    অতিথি তোমারি দ্বারে    ওগো বিদেশিনী॥
Aami Chini Go Chini (English translation)

I feel like i know you really well, o my fair lady
Your home is across the wildest seas, o my fair lady

When I see you during the spring sunrise
When you pass me in the fragrant nights
When you catch my sight, o my fair lady

I waited for you so long, only to hear your song
I dedicate this life of mine, to you my fair lady

Traveling far and near, I have reached you o my dear
I'm a guest at your door, o my fair lady 


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Bhashwati wrote:


In the matter of broken nests embodied in broken feathers.

The colours are exquisitacious.
Not to worry, this too will become a legitimate word in a few years.

But viewed in the context of your title it is the tactile nature of the composition that struck me..
When something is as pure and refined of texture as your feather, it can only be ephemeral in the world that we inhabit and have rendered coarse and crass by our eager submission to the gross and the dross in our consciousness.
A nest created of a fabric so delicate as the feather here, can never survive the wear and tear of quotidian coexistence.
Noshto Neerh and Charulata at least have the fig leaf of an intruder, most human nests dont even need that. Bruised egos and failed expectations suffice for the nests to implode.

Do these awful thoughts make me sound like a misanthrope?  
Only singing tunelessly musiclessly 

aami jaani go jaani kaahini onek noshto neerheir.

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Charu wrote:

This post is an assemblage of many things. It is in part an homage to artists and their artistry: Tagore’s prose writing and poesy, Ray’s filming and direction and Kishore’s singing. It is in part a connection of several lives and with their preferences, traits, follies and personalities. It is in part a talent exhibited in the posted pictures.

The glorious photographs have associations built into them…falling..falling..fallen; the feather. The ruffled ends indicate trouble in the nest; either destroyed or stormed. Yet, some part of the feathers shimmer calm and tranquility.

1 comment:

charu gandhi said...


Bhai,

Reminded me of another beautiful song from Film Indrani.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO1CxOIZmXM

charu