A Soft Note on a Sharp Scale|Mar. 30, 1961|India|134 Min.|n/A
Genre: Bangla;Drama;Music
Description: “Komal Gandhar,” released in 1961, delves into three intertwined themes: the personal struggles of the protagonist, Anusua; the divided leadership of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA); and the tragic aftermath of India’s partition. Directed by Ritwik Ghatak, the film critiques both IPTA’s radical theater style and the Partition itself, sparking political controversy in Bengal. This backlash reportedly compelled Ghatak to seek work outside the state. Set in the turbulent 1950s, the story revolves around the rivalry between two radical theater groups. Unlike Ghatak’s other works, this film adopts a more optimistic tone, culminating in the reunion of the central characters, Vrigu and Anusua. The music also enhances the film’s unique appeal. Although it was a commercial failure, “Komal Gandhar” remains a celebrated masterpiece in Ritwik Ghatak’s filmography.
Cast director: Ritwik Ghatak
Cast actor: Supriya Choudhury, Abanish Banerjee, Anil Chatterjee, Satindra Bhattacharya, Chitra Mandal, Gita Dey, Gyanesh Mukherjee, Bijon Bhattacharya, Mantu Ghosh, Dwiju Bhawal
Original name: কোমল গান্ধার