Bimal Roy — the Doyen of Indian Cinema
It is a proud privilege to remember one of our most outstanding film directors, Bimal Roy, whose 110th birth anniversary falls today (born: 12 July 1909 – 8 January 1966)
Bimal Roy started his career as an assistant cameraman at the famous New Theatres, Calcutta. His fine sense of lighting and composition won him several accolades. His first Hindi movie ‘Do Bigha Zamin’ in 1952-53, which
eloquently portrayed the agony of the displaced peasantry, had a strong
universal impact for its humane portrayal. In a brilliant cinematic language, the film told the simple and heartbreaking story of a farmer struggling to save his land from a greedy landlord. Considered as a landmark film and one of the
10 best Indian films of all time, the film had the rare distinction of being one of the first Indian films to win awards/laurels in so many countries: China, UK, Karlovi Vary, Cannes, USSR, Venice, and Melbourne. He was the only director to have the distinction of receiving 11 Filmfare awards for Best Direction or Best Film, starting with Do Bigha Zamin in 1953.
His other films: Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhmati, Devdas, Bandini, Sujata, etc — were unparalleled in exploring sensitivities of the human relationship with its complex nuances. Bimal Roy immortalized the legendary novelist Sarat Chandra by basing several of his films on the latter’s classics like `Parineeta`, `Devdas’, `Sujata, etc` which found powerful expression in his films. Based on the theme of reincarnation, his ethereally beautiful film `Madhumatif had humming and mesmerising music. His films highlighted progressive thinking, challenged brutal exploitation and showed the innate strength of women. Bimal Roy had a unique sense of unforgettable music, realistic and sensitive portrayal of social conflicts, storytelling technique and presenting lifelike characters.
He brilliantly maintained the inherent poignancy of the story of `Devdas’ whose realistic portrayal was greatly touching and heartrending. His depiction of Devdas’s progressively sliding health condition – when he was on a suicidal path by consuming more and more liquor – by showing the driver of rail engine throwing coal into the furnace which had the effect of further igniting or stoking the fire was superb. The dialogue Dilip Kumar spoke, in the role of Devdas, “Kaun kambhakhat jeene ke liye peeta hai ” became a part of India’s folklore.
Bimal Roy had a tremendous sense of music. His unmatched portrayal of situations had a deep impact on the human psyche which left an indelible impression. He used the voice of Asha Bhosle befittingly in film Bandini. Asha-has a terrific voice and has no parallel in rendering ‘sad and sombre songs’. The heroin (actress Nutan) sings the song “Ab ke baras bhejo bhaia ko babul “. I must say that the song had a terrific impact on me and it still haunts me whenever in my contemplative moments, I happen to reminisce
and visualize the scene; my eyes even today get moist.
A ‘Silent Master’ and a trendsetter, Bimal Roy ushered in the golden age of Indian Cinema in the early 5os. A socially committed director, his films had the power to inspire and move audiences. If ‘Do Bigha Zameen’ was an
eloquent portrait of displaced peasants, “Sujata’ (which depicted an orphan and untouchable girl) took up the ever-burning issue of caste struggle. The women in his films played powerful and defining roles. His purposeful films had a great message for society.
The maestro Bimal Roy became a name synonymous with great cinema craft in India and abroad. He became a legend in his lifetime. Marked with gentle humanism and progressiveness, Bimal Roy’s films had a tremendous impact on the new wave and parallel cinema during the 5os and 6os. His unparalleled films which were awe-inspiring and won not only the critics’ acclaim but also the admiration of the masses became the harbinger of so-called parallel cinema in India.
He was, in a sense, a complete school of film making and gave Indian Cinema many distinguished filmmakers, writers, lyricists and music composers, such as Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, Salil Chaudhary and Basu Bhattacharya, and more. He is credited with introducing the genius composer Salil Chowdhury to Hindi Cinema with Do Bigha Zamin and utilized his skills in several other films. His worthy disciple and successor Hrihikesh Mukherjee continued his legacy in the true spirit. Very few people know that ‘Do Bigha’ was based on a story ‘Rikshawala’ written by Bimal Roy himself back in the 40s. Film ‘Parakh’ was also based on his story. He was a versatile writer.
Bimal Da, as he was popularly called, was a quiet, humble and unassuming person. An unsung hero, he never bragged or showed off his achievements. He cared little for the box office and always followed his instinct. A man of few words, his persona was always a picture of humility and modesty. Without making any noise, he kept working as a karma yogi on his creative projects one after the other and gave films to society that were pure and healthy entertainment – watchable by the entire family. Such people are born once in a century.
To India’s great misfortune, the film maestro Bimal Da, the doyen of Indian Cinema, passed away at the prime age of 55, leaving behind an unmatched and unequalled cinematic legacy that is India’s proud National heritage. Much more was to come from his stable. The cruel and untimely death snatched away a brilliant film1naker and director prematurely. In his death, India lost a brilliant filmmaker, director and a great human being. The society and the Government must do something to perpetuate the memory of this great Son of India