Cinema
The Boatman of the River Padma
Padma Nadir Majhi
Goutam Ghose · 1993
Synopsis
1947, shortly before the partition. On the Padma, Kuber, a Hindu fisherman, lives between his wife Mala, who is disabled, and his sister-in-law Kapila, separated from her husband, whom he has brought home with her children; an affair develops between them. Hossain Miyan, a Muslim trader, settles an island in the delta, Moyna, with Hindus and Muslims alike. After a storm that has driven the fish away, Kuber agrees to carry the island's goods for him.
Context
Based on the novel by Manik Bandopadhyay, the film is an India-Bangladesh co-production, produced on the Indian side by the government of West Bengal; Ghose wrote the screenplay, operated the camera and composed the music with Alauddin Ali. Utpal Dutt plays Hossain Miyan, Raisul Islam Asad Kuber, Champa Mala and Roopa Ganguly Kapila. Released in India on 12 March 1993, it was shown at the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes.
Who it is for
A two-hour film, slow at the start, in which all the actors speak the dialect of East Bengal.
Prizes and reception
National Award for Best Bengali Film in India; in Bangladesh, Champa received the national award for best actress for the role of Mala.