Original subtitles

Presented by the West Bengal Government

Based on the novel by Bibhutibhushan Banerji

PATHER PANCHALl

Horihor, the father: Kanu Banerji

Shorbojoya, the mother: Karuna Banerji

Durga, the daughter: Uma Das Gupta

Apu, the son: Subir Banerji Auntie lndira: Chunibala

Photography by Subrata Mitra

Music by Ravi Shankar

Script and direction by Satyajit Ray

Who is that?

That child! We won't have any fruit left

Auntie

The orchard is private property, bought and paid for

lt will have to be fenced in if we're to save any fruit

There are so many thieves about

That wretched girl of Hori's

She's always taking our fruit

You have to keep your eyes peeled for her

l just saw her taking a guava and who knows what else?

-Tell her off -What's the use?

She'll take no notice of me, she's not my daughter

lt doesn't matter what we say; it's up to her mother

The mother will be shocked when she's shamed before the village

That child is being badly brought up

Can l help?

-lt's too heavy for you -l can manage

Did l forget you, Durga? Wait

Come here

She's doing no harm; let her stay

Why should she watch you eat?

Run along to your mother, dear

Did you take something from Mrs. Mukherji's garden?

What are you hiding?

Take them back to her

Then come back and sweep the yard

You're spoiling Durga

-l don't understand -You do

You eat the fruit

The fruit Durga brings you

You should know better, shouldn't you?

You think you can do as you please, living with us

-l know you -What do you mean?

You know. Don't you take things from the kitchen?

Oil, salt, chillies

Shall l look in your box?

Lost your tongue?

lt's got to stop. Maybe you'd better go somewhere else

l've stood it for eight years; my patience is exhausted

You spoil my daughter and l get the blame for it

lt's too much in my old age

Where are you going?

Auntie

Leave her alone, Durga

Did you hear me?

What else did l tell you to do?

-Where have you been, Auntie lndir? -l was staying with Raghu

Then this morning l heard that Hori has...

On my way l found this child coming to fetch me

So we met

Go and see your lovely new nephew

Let me see his face properly

What a little darling

What are you cooking?

Pilau, korma... fine dishes

One day you shall cook them, or have you forgotten how?

l've forgotten

A pity; l thought we might celebrate our son's birth

-What about money? -l shall start work next month

Landlord Ray has promised a job, doing his accounts

Did you ask about pay?

No, but l shan't slave as a rent collector for ever

The money from that job and the fees for religious ceremonies...

...will keep the family going for now

Surely you can understand that

Lucky January: the boy was born and you got a job

That's why l think we should spend a little...

...and celebrate his birth in style

lt's good for our prestige, and people will praise your cooking

-Will you be paid regularly? -Why not? Ray is a good man

You're no judge of that; you've always been cheated

What do you mean?

What about our garden?

They said my brother owed them money when he was alive

The garden paid off the debt

lf we had the orchard now we wouldn't go hungry

You should hear what they say when Durga takes a few guavas

What do such people matter? l am a scholar

Who cares about that here?

Listen to what l have in mind

l am going to write original plays and poems

l'll soon be in great demand

The travelling players need new material

Most writers are merely rehashing old stories

lf their stuff is popular...

...shouldn't my stuff be even more popular?

Of course

And as a scholar you'll be respected in the village

And you will teach the boy

lt's not long to the festival

A good match will be found for Durga

We'll have two good meals a day and new clothes twice a year

That's how it will be; my ancestors were writers, after all

l keep alive the family tradition

ln two years we'll be living in comfort, free of debt

The house will be repaired... and no more spinach every day

Wake up, Apu; it's time to go to school

Durga, wake Apu

l can't make him stir

There's not much milk; do you feed the cow properly?

How many more times must you moisten your duster?

Sit down!

-What do you want? -Puffed rice, please

Hand over the money, then

You've netted a fine catch

How many pupils now?

The new boy makes nine

The nine gems

What are you laughing at?

Go on like that and you'll end up behind a plough

-You were saying, sir? -Have you seen any good plays?

l did see one company

Gupe, what are you doing?

The next village has booked a very good company

l'll thrash you

They thought they'd be one up on us,

but they reckoned without me

l've booked the finest company anyone's ever seen

May l have some of your oil?

l've not put you down for a contribution...

...but l'm sure you won't forget my needs

Don't forget your friend Boidyonath

Wait, Mr. Chakrabarti

The drummer...

...of the company...

...sounds like thunder

Sude, come here and bring your slate with you

Bring me his slate

So this is what you've been up to

Hold out your hand

What are you doing?

-What are you doing in the kitchen? -Nothing

Nothing? Didn't l see you take something?

l have no chillies, so l thought l'd take a couple

Why didn't you ask?

Durga, come and help me when you are free

Girls of your age should help about the house, cooking, washing up...

...performing religious rites

ls it right to skylark about all day?

You must learn to cook, mustn't you?

Are you feverish again today?

Remember to drink your herbal tincture

-l'm hungry -Haven't you had your puffed rice?

There is rice for you in the bowl ask Durga to give you some.

Help me up

My back is stiff

-How are you these days? -Who cares about an old woman?

Just look at this

-lt's my shawl for the evenings -l'll buy you a new one soon

Can l have a light?

We can't afford so much tobacco

Did you ask for your pay today?

Landlord Ray has his own troubles. l might risk my job if l ask now

There must be other jobs in the town

You haven't been paid for three months

lt's the first time

You're happy to let things slide

Durga has not been well; she needs medicine and better food

Apu needs new clothes; he's going to school in rags

The house needs repairing, debts must be repaid

We owe Mrs. Mukherji five rupees; she'll press for repayment

You must do something

You won't tell mother?

She'll hear you

The sweet-seller

Halva, fudge, coconut cakes

Ask father for money

You ask

ls he asking for money? Don't pander to him

None today?

Let's follow him to the others

Let me see what you've got.

Coming to play with us, Durga?

Coming? lf not, go home, l'll be back soon

Like a sweet, Durga?

Don't give them any. lf they want sweets, they should buy their own

Tunu, come and play

What lovely beads

-Who gave them to you? -Father

Let me help you

What have things come to, when an old woman has to patch her shawl?

Durga, come here

You know it's time to do your hair

-Can you plait four strands? -Don't move your head

Ranu can

What dry hair, and we have no oil. Never mind four-stranded plaits

Some people are coming to see if Ranu is a suitable bride

Who are they?

Ever seen a train?

Don't lie

Do you know where the railway line is?

Over the big meadow, beyond the rice fields

Let's go there

Now write the word... wealth

Were you good at school?

You're so tiny; do the other boys tease you?

l'm not surprised he's left it

He gets nothing but rice, but what else can l afford?

Wash your face

Where's Durga?

Shall l fetch her toy-box?

She's not well brought up

What has happened?

Durga has stolen Tunu's beads

Don't look astonished; she is an accomplished thief

Her father bought the beads in town

Tunu showed Durga

This morning the beads had vanished

Durga hasn't been back; anyway, are you sure she took them?

Are you suggesting we've invented it?

-The string could have broken -lt didn't

We've searched everywhere

Did you take Tunu's beads?

Didn't you?

She's a liar

Where do you suppose she got that fruit?

What's the matter? What's going on?

The garden isn't ours; it's wrong to take the fruit

But how can you accuse her of stealing something bought for money?

She's a child. Fruit has no name on it

Listen to that! The rupees l lent you had no name on...

...had they?

When will you pay them back? l can't wait forever

When you find the beads l hope you'll return them

Our fruit disappears. l complain and the mother says:

Suppose the children take it; fruit has no name on it

Like mother, like daughter: a pair of thieves

Come here

Tell Durga to come in for her meal

Then came an ogress, hobble, cackle, gobble

''l smell humans! Who is awake in my temple?''

Iue Lotus Prince kept guard while Red Lotus Prince slept

And at midnight the ogress came once more

Hobble, cackle, gobble

''Who is awake in my temple?''

Father's home

Give mother the fish

Put it down

Come here, l have lots to tell you

No matter what people say...

...landlord Ray is a good man

My three months' wages

First l will say evening prayers, then l have much to tell you

Today l met a rich farmer. l don't know him...

...but he greeted me and said my father knew him

He said my father officiated as a priest in his household

Now he wants me to perform the same duties

They're having a religious ceremony next month

He wants me to baptise them

-They are rich -Have you agreed?

lf l agree straight away, they'll think we are starving

Accept at once

The trouble is that some people will criticize if they know

Who will know?

You might talk; you know what women are like

l have better things to do with my time

Don't be upset. The client won't run away

l mustn't seem over-eager; he can wait until after the festival

We'll manage on my wages until then

The children need new clothes and Auntie needs a shawl

We owe Mrs Mukherji five rupees

We'll have to pay all that out of the wages

And the repairs?

We have survived the monsoon

The repairs must wait, but l'll get estimates

Something must be done to the kitchen

Don't worry. Kitchen, walls, roof, everything will be done

How many days to the festival?

Twenty-one

Did you take Tunu's beads?

-Do you know who did? -No. Go to sleep

l have another idea for a play

l might be able to write it in a week

You once lived in Benares; did you have friends there?

l had a few

lsn't there a place by the river...

...where men recite from the scriptures?

lt's called Dasasvamedh Ghat

Let's go to Benares.

Don't the orators earn lots of money?

We can't go. How can we?

This is my ancestral home; how can l leave it?

Why not? You were away eight years before

You left me at my father's and never wrote

Then l did not know how sweet you are

Save your compliments

This is my home, too

But look at it: it's like living in the forest

At night the jackals prowl around

There are no neighbours l can talk to

You are not always here and sometimes l'm so depressed

You won't understand these things

You live in your work. Sometimes you're paid, sometimes not

l had dreams, too, of all the things l would do

Those who came before are gone

I am left behind, a penniless beggar

Day draws to its close, night's mantle descends

Row me across to the other side

Hurry with the twigs, this wood is too damp to light

A new shawl, Auntie? How nice

What a lovely shawl, Auntie

Raju gave it to me, to keep me warm in the evenings

We're having a picnic; please cook something

Why is it never her turn to go and fetch things?

What's the matter?

What's that shawl?

lt's a present from Raju

A present, was it?

You didn't ask?

Why should l?

l just remarked that the evenings were chilly, so he said...

Would he feed you, too?

Don't be angry. l did ask Hori for a shawl

And as he couldn't give it to you at once, you went begging

You should be ashamed

Can't an old woman have whims?

Whims?

Don't you realize that the children often go hungry?

Are you going to dress and feed them?

lf you're staying here, stop begging; otherwise, go away

l can always find somewhere else to go

Fine! Take yourself off

You'd better go; you can't stay here any longer

lt's lovely; your husband will enjoy your cooking

-When is the wedding? -l've forgotten

l know when

lt's in two months, isn't it?

-What does it feel like? -Much the same

-Tell me -You'll find out

lt won't happen to me, l just know it won't

Your mother is arranging a match, just wait and see

Raju, are you at home?

-Who is it? -Your old auntie

l wonder whether you can take me in, just for a few days?

Only a few days

l get no peace at the other place, nothing but nagging

Come in

Tell your mother that Auntie has come to stay

Bring her a chair and a bowl of water

l've nowhere to go now l'm old, so l thought of you

Beware, King! lf you utter those words again...

...l shall cut out your tongue...

...and throw it to the jackals and the dogs!

And l shall destroy you, for the good of the world!

Father, do not do it, l beseech you!

Durga, go and find the calf

Please tie this on for me

Apu, let's look for Auntie

l want you to find the calf first

What's that?

Who gave you the silver paper?

-He's been at my toy-box -You're too old for a toy-box now

He took my silver paper

Go and find the calf

Stupid!

Dressing up as a prince

Anyone at home?

Why have you come back?

l'm not feeling very well

l'd like to spend my last days in the old home

What's the old home to you? The best thing you can do is leave

Just a minute

What are you waiting for?

Let me rest here awhile

Sister-in-law, have you gone to sleep?

Will you give me some water?

Your bowl is there; help yourself

Sit down

Eat it

Where are we?

What are those?

Those who came before are gone

I am left behind Row me across to the other side

Day draws to its close, night's mantle descends

Will you be away for long?

About a week. l'll call at Bistupar on the way back

lt's a good market town; something may turn up there

Look, there's father

Ask him for some money

Put the cat down and go and buy some molasses

Apu wants rice pudding; he's been asking for it for days

A letter!

Give it to me

I arrived here yesterday

The rich farmer has lost two sons...

...so a ceremony is out of the question now

ut don't worry

I'll try to earn money for the repairs and then l'll return home

Do not worry

Whatever God wills is for the best Give my love to Durga and Apu

Charity, lady

Alms, good mother

Bless you. One day you will be goddess of wealth

Why didn't you tell me?

You can't go on like this; why didn't you tell me?

After all, we're not strangers

Every day l hope there will be some news

lt never comes

Five months now without news, without letters

Let Durga come with me; l'll give her something to tide you over

-Don't be silly -l can't take it

l feel so ashamed

A letter!

No doubt you are worried because I have not written for months

Anyway, l have good news: I have been able to earn money

I shall be returning home soon

Whatever God wills is for the best

Holy Pond, Flower Garland, who prays here at noon?

l, fortunate sister of my brothers

Mother Goddess, counsel me, l know not how to pray

May l live in happiness with my husband

Mother Goddess, grant me this boon

Rain, rain, go away...

Any news of Hori?

He says he will be back this month

Why is he away so long?

Have you any sago? l can let you have some

lf the fever continues to increase, apply cold compresses

No cause for alarm; just see that she doesn't get another chill

We'll go and see the train when l'm better, shall we?

We'll have a good look next time

Durga is worse; can you come?

Sweep the yard. l'm going to look at Durga

Fetch my husband; say l asked him to come

-ls Durga asleep? -Yes. Run along, dear

Mother sends these vegetables. l'll put them here

lt would fall while l was away. Couldn't it have waited?

How are you?

Are the children out?

Where are you going now? l've brought some presents

l'd have come earlier, if l could

My luck turned at Ranaghat, at long last

See what l bought in the market there a pastry-board and rolling pin

A picture of Goddess Lakshmi, which you asked me to get

A new sari for Durga

After this last year l have no affection for the old home

l don't know what we would have done...

...if you and your husband hadn't helped us

lf we had done more, perhaps you would have stayed

lt's not your fault, it's just our bad luck

Other people live here quite happily

l hope you'll settle down in the new place

These fell in the storm; l thought you'd like them for the journey

How kind

lt's only a few mangoes. l've done nothing for you in the past

You're really going tomorrow?

Yes. Perhaps we should have told you before

Never mind. l think that leaving here is a good idea

Everyone should make a move once in a while

Staying in one place makes you mean; it's done that to me

l'd like to go away, too; l'll see what my husband says

Don't put yourself out on my account

l've been confined to bed for over a month...

...so l couldn't come to see you

l'm told you're moving to Benares; is that so?

Yes, we're leaving at dawn tomorrow

You're going tomorrow?

Think for a moment, is this a wise decision?

You are Rajkestra's son, Tarkalankar's grandson

Your family has lived here for generations

We village elders still exist. You could have asked our advice

Would that have helped?

Look at the house; l haven't the means to repair it

Perhaps l should have asked for your help...

...but how long could that last?

l have been saddled with debts for fifteen years

My hopes of clearing them by selling some furniture came to nothing

l wanted to be a writer; now my manuscripts are worm eaten

l hoped to educate my boy, but it was not to be

And the girl... she is at rest

Sometimes it is necessary to leave the ancestral home

ln town l may earn a little...

...reciting from the scriptures