Friday, November 5, 2010

Satyajit Ray transformed satire of Parashuram titled Mahapurush into Celluloid.


Satyajit Ray transformed satire of Parashuram titled Mahapurush into Celluloid.

Writer Rajshekhar Basu better known as Parashuram was well known in Kolkata for his writings fully of satires. Oscar winning director Satyajit Ray experimented with one of those witty pieces of literature. Satyajit Ray made the film Mahapurush based on the literature of Raj Shekhar Basu, a renowned writer of Bengal. Previously Raj Shekhar Basu’s literature was used by Satyajit Ray in the film Parash Pathar.

Mahapurush was made along with Kapurush by Ray in the year 1965. While Kapurush did not reach the audience, Mahapurush amazed the viewers. Raj Shekhar Basu’s literature was titled Birinchibaba. Charu Prakash Ghosh played the role Birinchibaba in the film Mahapurush.

According to the story, Charu Prakash Ghosh impressed Prasad Mukherjee, an Advocate of Alipore Court, Kolkata while he was returning in train. Prasad Mukherjee lost his wife at old age, and was depressed. He was returning back with his daughter Mitali Ray.

Charu Prakash Ghosh along with his assistant played by Robi Ghosh convinced Prasad Mukherjee that Charu Prakash Ghosh was God’s messenger. Both resided in Prashad Mukherjee’s house. Satindra Bhattacharya had affair with Mitali Roy. When he saw that Mitali Roy started avoiding her due to the presence of the Sadhu, he communicated about the Sadhu before his friends, Satya Banerjee, and others.

Many God fearing people in Kolkata used to visit Charu Prakash Ghosh and listen to his words. He disclosed a lot of informations about Plato, Gautam Buddha, etc. He mentioned that there is no present. Past and future existed. One of the friends of Satindra Bhattacharya, communicated with Santosh Dutta, a famous scientist in Kolkata, to know the formula for producing smoke in the house.

While Charu Prakash Ghosh was giving his sermons in the room, smoke was produced and all the friends of Satindra Bhattacharya, shouted about smoke. Charu Prakash Ghosh tried to escape and he was threatened to live the place. He left the place with Robi Ghosh. Prasad Mukherjee’s family was saved from the false communications of Charu Prakash Ghosh.

Very significantly the satire and wit of Raj Shekhar Basu, was captured by Satyajit Ray in the film. The film did great business and the message reached the masses. The film should be preserved.

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