Page 128 - The Apu Trilogy_ Satyajit Ray and the Making of an Epic

Aparajito: Critique 115

Aparajito: Harihar collapses at the ghat

it of its erotic quality. Nothing is spelt out here, but in this
ditty lingers the faint suggestion that we have not heard the last of
Nanda Babu.
The following morning, despite Sarbajaya’s protest, Harihar
goes out to the ghats to earn money by recitation. After bath-
ing in the river, he begins to climb the steps, just as he did at
the beginning of the film. (Ray more or less repeats the shots.)
But this time Harihar forgets to collect his glasses and has to be
reminded by his fellow kathak seated by the river, who calls out
to him and holds out the glasses. Hearing the call, Harihar looks
momentarily confused and puts his right hand up to feel if he
is wearing his glasses. ‘A small action – which speaks volumes’,
aptly comments the film writer Ujjal Chakraborty. No one who
wears glasses constantly can be unaware of their absence, unless
he is fatigued, ill or mentally preoccupied. The steep climb up
the steps now proves to be too much for Harihar; near the top he
collapses dramatically and has to be helped home. He is plainly

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