What we see in this film, Bhubanashyar Chawdhury was a Bengali landlord of 19th century. He wanted a son by any means, reason behind that the feudal and paternal mentality on asset and women. Here we could reveal the one fold of that master and slave relationship within the husband and wife. Landlord married twice for his desire. After failure attempt with the first wife landlord was trying with the younger one but result was almost same. Bhubanashyar was so adamant to have a son that he did intercourse with his second wife in front of priest because priest told him if his wife listen the mantras about Heroes during the sex then there is a possibility to conceive a baby. No doubt Choto Bou, younger wife did that out of her will. This is one face of master and slave relationship. In this part slave or wife wanted the recognition as a beloved wife but husband did not recognized her what she deserved. The man treated her only baby making machine.
On other strata we saw this landlord is slave himself, he has subjected himself to the British Empire. He wanted the title 'Rai Bahadur' by the British ruler. That means he wanted the recognition from British what he was denying to give his slave like wife.
At last we saw Choto Bou committed suicide due to a potter who built Durga image with the face of her, whether there should be the face of Queen Victoria. Imagery replacement with Durga and Victoria was panned by landlord to ease to get the title but the potter made that blunder by replace Victoria by Choto Bou. After this big incident younger wife knew she would be killed barely by her Master so she did not wait for that because in that moment she became her own master. At least she wanted to die by her own hand. This event reminded me Frantz Fanon, who by criticizing Hegel said, slave does not always want the recognition from his master, sometimes slave turn out to face the master and wishes to become the master. Here we saw Choto Bou did not remain slave, she became master at least at end of her life.
Rituparno, thanks to you to film such a story which can be a good example of master and slave relationship.
I have gone through many articles of Bidhan Rebeiro written in Bangla. There is hardly any doubt about his ability as a writer. As all those write-ups were very well crafted with exceedingly strong command over the subject. But after reading his film review of acclaimed film maker Rituparno Ghosh's movie Antormahol I have explored another avenue of Bidhan's talent. The review written in good English has got its own lucidity. It has been penned in a manner that readers would easily understand it. I wish my young friend all the success and hope that Bidhan Rebeiro's creative journey would continue in a commendable manner.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Noman Bhai, I know you are also very good with the writing business. Thanks again.
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