Pather Panchali (1955)

In the humble heart of a small Indian village, nestled deep within the early years of the century, Pather Panchali unfolds the poignant tale of a young boy named Apu. Born into a poverty-stricken Brahmin family, Apu's childhood is coloured by the stark struggles and simple joys of rural life. His father, Harihar, is a dreamer - a poet and a writer who surrenders the family's last semblance of wealth, their fruit orchard, to settle his brother's debts. Apu's life intertwines with his older sister Durga, a spirited girl with a penchant for stealing guavas from the neighbour's orchards, and their old aunt, a constant presence in their humble abode. However, it's his mother, Sarbojaya, who stands as the fragile backbone of their family. She bears the weight of their destitution with stoic grace, her spirit undaunted as she sells her personal belongings to feed her family, all while enduring the scorn of their neighbours. Their precarious existence teeters on the edge when Harihar disappears for five long months, leaving Sarbojaya to grapple with the taunts of the villagers and Durga's failing health. Even after Harihar's return, their fate remains unchanged, leaving the family to confront their dire circumstances with few alternatives. Pather Panchali is a vivid tapestry of endurance, hope, and the indomitable spirit of a family bound by love and tested by life.

Pather Panchali is a drama movie featuring Subir Banerjee and directed by Satyajit Ray.

Pather Panchali is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Plex and Plex Player and it's also available on Criterion Channel and Max Amazon Channel.

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