5 movies directed by Satyajit Ray that feature powerful female protagonists
- Sohini
- 12 June, 2023
- 2 mins ago
5 movies directed by Satyajit Ray that feature powerful female protagonists
Satyajit Ray's films are straightforward but effective. Even though they were localized films, their popularity transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries.
Both in urban and rural settings, the women he portrayed in his films were richly textured and complex. Satyajit Ray never portrayed women as inferior to males in his films, and they were not even in a race with them. Watch these seven films to learn how Satyajit Ray's female characters cannot be boiled down to a stereotype and how they can recondition the masculine gaze in popular cinema. A brilliant move!
Mahanagar
A short story by Narendranath Mitra, the film depicted the beginning of a middle-class working wife in a Bengali family in Kolkata. Through the character of Arati (played by Madhabi Mukherjee), who transitions from being a stay-at-home housewife to a working wife to help support her extended family, a realistic representation of socio-economic changes in urban life is shown.Devi
The film, which is based on a short story by Provatkumar Mukhopadhyay, takes place in rural Bengal in the 19th century. There, a 17-year-old girl named Dayamoyee is hailed and declared a goddess by her father-in-law. The story is a gripping story of odd notions and the exploitation of ladies at the impulses of enchantment and unbridled religiosity. Sharmila Tagore heartbreakingly portrays Daya, as she is unable and later unwilling to escape this goddess-like avatar that has been imposed on her.Charulata
In light of the novella Nastanirh by Bengali creator Rabindranath Tagore, the film portrays the tale of a forlorn housewife, Charu, who carries on with a rich inactive life and is disregarded by a compulsive worker spouse. Additionally, it demonstrates how the young cousin of her husband awakens her sexuality and ambitions. The dilemma of Charulata and the gray areas of her strong emotional feelings of marital dissatisfaction and relationship are skillfully depicted in the film.Teen Kanya
Three distinct female protagonists and the intricate psychology of young women are depicted in a collection of short films based on Rabindranath Tagore's works. The story in The Postmaster is about Ratan, a young orphan who works as a maid in the house of the village postmaster. She is between the ages of eight and ten, and the kindness of the new postmaster helps her learn to read and write.The fact that Satyajit Ray is one of the greatest filmmakers our nation has ever produced is undeniable.
