Uma Dasgupta, the legendary face of Durga in Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali (1955), has left us at 84, after a valiant fight with cancer

-

Uma Dasgupta, the legendary face of Durga in Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali (1955), has left us at 84, after a valiant fight with cancer. Her portrayal of Durga, Apu’s spirited elder sister, remains etched in the hearts of cinephiles worldwide. Though she didn’t pursue mainstream cinema, her performance stands as a timeless gem from Indian cinema's golden era.

Rest in power, Durga 💔✨

Venkataramanan Ramasethu
18th November 2024

Popular posts from this blog

Why is our language called ‘Tamizh’?

-
Why is our language called ‘Tamizh’? Ki. Va. Jagannathan (Ki. Va. Ja.), the legendary Tamil scholar and literary visionary, once found himself in the divine presence of Periyava, when a question was posed that momentarily stilled his erudition: “Why is our language called ‘Tamizh’?” Taken aback, Ki. Va. Ja. admitted with humility that he had never contemplated that question deeply. He reflected, “If someone were to ask me about the greatness of Tamizh, I could speak for hours—on its antiquity, its grammar, its literature, its uniqueness among world languages. But why it is called ‘Tamizh’—I do not know.” With characteristic grace, Periyava smiled and said: “This is merely my thought—neither confirmed by scholars nor inscribed in any linguistic doctrine. But to me, the answer lies in one letter: ‘ழ’ (zha).” He then proceeded, in that meditative rhythm only saints possess, to list words that hold this unique sound, each word soaked in beauty and depth: மழலை (mazhalai) – the babble of a c...
Read more

'Bahu Manaratha' from the movie Memories in March

-
Image
I've fallen for the song 'Bahu Manaratha' from the movie Memories in March. The music, composed by Debajyoti Mishra and the haunting vocals of Subhomita Banerjee, perfectly complement the poignant lyrics penned by Rituparno Ghosh. "Bahu manorathe saaju avisaare pahlu suneel besh Kajar nayaane salaaj bayane kusume sajanu kesh Sakhi hum, mohan avisaare jaaon Bolo hum, etath sukh kahan paaon   Jamunar pare, gahana aandhare, ghana nipaban maajhe Piya setha more bedana katare mohe laagi baithi aache Sakhi hum, mohan avisaare jaaon Bolo hum, etath sukh kahan paaon   Sakhi chira abhagini hum Baithe ekakini pohanu rajani tobu naa aailo shyam Sakhi chira abhagini hum   Krishna kajal pighal sajal nayaner nir dhare Eka khina patha britha manaratha bifala avisaare Sakhi hum, kabhu naa avisaare jaaon Dukh laaj etath sah nahi paahon   Britha manorathe saaju avisaare pahlu suneel besh Kajar nayaane salaaj bayane kusume sajanu kesh Fir aaj yun, mohan avisaare jaaon Sakhi...
Read more

The Pen That Immortalised Legends: Remembering Kamala Chandrakant ✍️📖

-
Image
The Pen That Immortalised Legends: Remembering Kamala Chandrakant ✍️📖 We bid farewell to Kamala Chandrakant (1940/41 – February 9, 2025), a pioneering storyteller who shaped the childhood of millions. As the first woman scriptwriter of Amar Chitra Katha (ACK), she played a crucial role in bringing India’s rich history, folklore, and mythology to life through her brilliant narratives. Her timeless works, including classics like Raman of Tenali, Tales from the Mahabharata, and Dasha Avatar, made history accessible and engaging for generations. Her meticulous research and vivid storytelling turned legends into household names, ensuring that India's cultural heritage remained alive in the hearts of millions. Kamala Chandrakant's work was more than storytelling—it was a bridge connecting young readers to India’s glorious past. She brought forgotten heroines like Savitribai Phule and Rani Lakshmibai into the limelight, ensuring their stories inspired generations. Her pas...
Read more