Srijan Mandal

Chittaprosad Bhattacharya, The Chronicler of the Hungry and Forgotten

In reflecting on Chittaprosad Bhattacharya, one is reminded of the philosopher Theodor Adorno’s assertion that art…
The Satirical Bengali Art that Shamed Society’s Hypocrisy

Kalighat paintings, born amidst the bustling streets and chaotic rhythm of 19th-century Calcutta, offer a masterful…
‘Charitraheen’ to ‘Charulata’, the Evolution of Shame and Morality in Bengali Cinema

On humid afternoons in Kolkata, when the shadows of old colonial mansions stretch long across quiet…
What Does Ajoy Kar’s Harano Sur Reveal About Love and Identity Through Forgotten Harmonies?

Few films achieve the rare distinction of being both timeless and timely, and Ajoy Kar’s Harano Sur (1957)…
How Meiyazhagan Highlights the Essence of Connection in Cinema

Eschewing romance-driven narratives, the film roots itself in themes of reconciliation, identity, and familial bonds, proving…
How Ritwik Ghatak’s Ajantrik Brought a Car to Life as a Character in Indian Cinema

Unlike many films of its time, Ajantrik anthropomorphizes a machine with nuanced, almost spiritual overtones, investigating a driver’s…
Exploring the Art in Sunil Bandopadhyay’s ‘Deya Neya’ Beyond its Commercial Appeal

Deya Neya (1963), a Bengali romantic comedy directed by Sunil Bandopadhyay, is often classified as a commercial…
The Economics Behind Durga Puja Celebrations

Durga Puja’s economic and cultural significance is immense, but environmental and social challenges threaten its sustainability…
The dream series: Lost on the Island

I often have deep and complicated dreams, but I rarely take the time to record them,…
A Meditative Exploration of Power and Identity in Satyajit Ray’s Kanchenjungha

In Kanchenjungha, Ray doesn’t offer easy resolutions. The film ends on an ambiguous note, with the family…
Life unfolds by the Padma in Goutam Ghose’s cinematic masterpiece

Through its careful balancing of realism and poetic beauty, the film becomes a profound meditation on the human…
Neel Akasher Niche and the Sublime Intersection of Politics and Poetic Cinema

Neel Akasher Niche explores the unlikely bond between a Chinese hawker and a Bengali woman under…
Mrinal Sen’s Kharij and Its Cinematic Genius

Watching Kharij felt like stepping into a quiet storm—no melodrama, just a stark, unsettling reminder of…
Zainul Abedin The Timeless Artist Who Shaped Bengal’s Soul

Throughout his life, Zainul remained deeply connected to the land and people of Bengal. His art…