Durga Puja in Kolkata celebrates Satyajit Ray movie 'Sonar Kella' and its lasting impact

KOLKATA: A Durga Puja in Kolkata is celebrating auteur Satyajit Ray's movie that not only heralded the Feluda phenomenon on celluloid, which still continues half a century later, but also transformed the fortunes of a city and catapulted an unheralded fort into a star tourist attraction.Ballygunge 71 Pally Baisakhi Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity, in its 59th year, has unveiled the theme "In Search of Hidden Treasure" to mark the golden jubilee of Ray's 'Sonar Kella' or The Golden Fortress.Released in 1974, Sonar Kella introduced the iconic trio of Feluda (Prodosh Mitter), Topshe alias Satellite, and Lalmohan Babu alias Jatayu on the silver screen, securing their place in the hearts of Bengalis. Millions read Feluda stories by Ray that combined investigation with adventure to churn out page-turner novels every puja, but Sonar Kella was the first time they saw the trio in flesh and blood.

Legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee essayed Feluda's role, Siddhartha Chatterjee played the role of his cousin and sidekick Topshe, while the inimitable Santosh Dutta did the role of Lalmohan Ganguly.

Ballygunge 71 Pally honours this milestone under the guidance of artist Raju Sarkar, bringing Satyajit's legacy to life at the pandal on Bondel Road off Ballygunge Phari.Not only has Sarkar recreated 60-ft-high ramparts of the fort at the pandal, but he has also used neighbouring houses as a canvas to depict scenes and characters from the movie that is still a favourite among both children and adults.

Among the scenes that audiences will revisit is that of a steam train chugging through the desert with the trio on camel-back making a futile attempt to halt the train to board it. The signature background score and unforgettable dialogues from the movie will also be played at the pandal to transport visitors to the familiar and nostalgic world of Sonar Kella. Cutouts of Feluda, Topshe, Jatayu, child protagonist Mukul, and Mandar Bose, the villain who was a 'dustu lok', and Amiyanath Barman, who masqueraded as parapsychologist Dr Hazra, have been put up in adjoining buildings along with one-liners from the movie.The interior of the pandal is in child art, taking off from the paintings that Mukul did till late in the night. Even the idol has a doll-like appearance in keeping with the interior decor.Several other Durga Puja pandals have in the past used Ray's movies as themes. Last year, Tala Baroari's puja was based on 'Hirak Rajar Deshe'. Another Ray movie, 'Devi', was the theme of Sib Mandir in 2020. The same year, Badamtala Ashar Sangha recreated Nishchindipur village, the setting for Ray's 'Pather Panchali'.

In 2022, several Durga Puja organisers did Ray themes to mark the 101st birth anniversary of the maestro.Nainan Bandhab Samity of Baranagar dug up a pond and used statues of Apu, Indir Thakur, Durga, Harihar, Sarbajaya, and Prasanna — all characters from 'Pather Panchali' to present the theme. Hazra Udayan Sangha presented the women characters of Ray with the theme 'Devi Pokkho'. Tollygunge Adi Durga Mancha Puja, in its 125th year, one of the oldest community pujas in the city, designed the interior of the pandal as a music room from the film 'Jalsaghar'.