Apu: The Epitome of Innocence
What makes certain characters of Bengali literature so memorable? Tagore's Amit, Saratchandra's Devdas and Srikanto, Sukumar's Pagla Dasu or Samaresh's Animesh has mesmerized successive generations of Bengali readers from diverse backgrounds. Though seemingly different from each other, each of these characters represents some quintessential Bengali traits that we can all relate to. In 1928, when prominent writer Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay began publishing his autobiographical novel in the Calcutta periodical, he didn't know he was creating a personality who would forever remain as the “boy next door” of Bengali literature. In 1929, he published Pather Panchali and with that Bengali literature witnessed the existence of Apu.
For the one's who don't know: Bibhutibhushan's novel depicts a poor family's struggle to survive in their rural ancestral home and the coming-of-age of Apu, the son of the family. The narrative portrays the everyday conflicts of a poor, rural family, alongside a moving rendition of the special bond between family members, especially siblings. Apu is the protagonist through whose eyes we see the whole story. Now the question remains—what makes Apu so special.
Apu is one of those characters with whom you fall in love instantly. Throughout Panther Panchali, Apu is portrayed as the epitome of innocence. Eyes brimming with wonder, Apu has an idealized vision of the world—finding magic in the most mundane of things, despite his circumstances. In the novel we see him and his sister Durga enthralled by the train–a metallic monster cutting its way through the flaky white soft landscape of the Kashbon. This scene can also be regarded as one of the most heart-warming and euphoric moments of literature.
Even when the story continues in Aporajito (the sequel), we see this boy grow up to be incorruptible, pure and innocent— someone who wants to dedicate his life towards knowledge and literature. But his life isn't a bed of roses; we see Apu challenged with death and poverty. Yet he moves on—from one death to another.
Prominent film-maker Satyajit Ray started his journey in celluloid by adapting this novel into cinema. Ray's Pather Panchali is arguably one of the best adaptations in film history, bringing to life Apu through the inimitable acting of Subir Banerjee and Soumitra Chottopaddhay. The director, while analysing Apu , once wrote in his column that “Apu is an eternal child. A spark from the flame of creation that fell on the pristine greenery of Nishchindipur and took refuge in the heart of a child. This spark has made Apu's life luminous and extraordinary. This spark has ignited Apu's consciousness and made him the unvanquished celebrant of life.”
Whoever has read Pather Panchali has undoubtedly wanted to be like Apu, to embody his spirit.
He was the ideal Bangali son, brother and, even in Satyajit's Apur Sansar, the ideal husband. As long as there's literature, there will be Apu in both the pages and our hearts—as the true essence of innocence.
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