Dilip Guha ★ Sasraya News, New Delhi : The Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, the government of West Bengal, in association with the office of the Resident Commissioner, Government of West Bengal, New Delhi, proudly hosted the “Chotoder Satyajit” – Bengal Movie Festival ’25, a three-day cinematic celebration dedicated to the timeless works of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray. The festival showcased a curated selection of his most loved children’s films, enchanting audiences of all ages.
The inaugural evening, held on Thursday, 7 August 2025, at the capital’s Muktadhara Auditorium, opened with a special theatrical presentation by the Navapallab Children’s Theatre Group titled “Manik theke Satyajit” (From Manik to Satyajit), directed by Mrs. Shipra Das. This unique stage narrative traces the life and milestones of Satyajit Ray, blending key scenes and unforgettable moments from his films that continue to inspire and delight audiences worldwide.
Navapallab Children’s Theatre, a recently established cultural group in Delhi, provides free training in theatre, along with other performing arts, to children. In a short time, its young talents have already won hearts across the city through performances in music, poetry, and drama.
Seamlessly weaving dance, music, dialogue, and multimedia projections, the play brought Satyajit Ray’s journey—from his childhood to his illustrious career—vividly to life. The production featured songs and scenes from his films alongside insightful glimpses into his creative world, all performed with remarkable charm and skill by the young cast. The talented child artists who brought the story to life were: Ihit Banerjee, Nayan Bal, Pratham Bal, Mekhla Ghosh, Sanvi Dutta, Deep Shikari, Natasha Amelia, Pratyasa Guha, Indranil Bhowmik, Srijan Chakraborty, Pranab Sinha, Ranjana Bhowmik, and Kiran Das.
The production team included Nabarun Banerjee (Video Compilation & Projection), Mrs. Neela Majumdar (Music Training), Debika Mitra (Stage Management), Arunava Sengupta (Lighting), Sukhangshu Chatterjee (Script), and Mrs. Shipra Das (Direction).
The inaugural evening of the festival proved to be a resounding success, receiving warm appreciation from the audience and setting the tone for the rest of the celebrations.
This year’s theme of the three-day movie festival was “ছোটদের সত্যজিৎ – The Evergreen Magic of Ray”, which honoured the timeless works of Satyajit Ray through screenings of classics including Sonar Kella, Joy Baba Felunath, Hirak Rajar Deshe, Gupi Bagha Phire Elo, and Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen.
The festival also featured children’s theatre, Aparajit -extempore sessions, Shatranj ki Khilari_ a children’s quiz show, and the debate programme in which children took part enthusiastically.
A debate session “Pratidhwandi প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী – Debating Ideas, Defining Futures”, with distinguished speakers from film, literature, and academia also organised.
The closing evening premiered a short film “Manikchander Panchali-The Chronicles of Manikchand”, a special cinematic tribute to the Maestro Satyajit Ray, directed by Dr Saswata Dawn and Aveek Majumdar, starring child artist Master Ishanjit Dawn as Manikchand.
In conversation, co-director Dr. Saswata Dawn shared, “We are having a proposal for doing a Film festival dedicated to the timeless works of Satyajit Ray. A thoughtfully curated film festival initiative is designed to explore how Ray’s cinematic brilliance continues to resonate with today’s children, offering them imaginative depth, moral insight, and cultural richness. we tried to envision this festival to explore how Ray’s work still connects with today’s children.”
“So, we thought of doing a short film, scripted and developed that keeping in mind how Ray’s film impacts today’s kids, the concept is rooted in the idea that parents can playfully engage with their children through storytelling, shared viewing experiences, and creative conversations to nurture an appreciation for Ray’s legacy. By bridging generations through his films, we aim to ensure that his artistic spirit flows forward, inspiring young minds and preserving his cultural impact for years to come.”
Viewers have found the film deeply engaging, with many highlighting its ability to show children’s imagination, as depicted in Ray’s work. The script has received particular praise for its clarity and warmth, with one viewer describing it as “wonderful.” The storytelling is simple yet evocative, unfolding like a conversation between a child and their parents.
A remarkable performance by Master Ishanjit Dawn, who portrays the child protagonist with striking emotional depth and authenticity. His portrayal captures the innocence, curiosity, and quiet resilience that are hallmarks of Ray’s child characters, making the narrative both relatable and timeless for today’s young audiences.
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Complementing this is the evocative music composed by Saurasanta Biswas, whose score delicately weaves nostalgia with freshness. His compositions echo the soul of Ray’s cinematic universe while inviting a new generation to experience its magic. It was a treat to the eyes and surely a star in the making.
Tapasya Banerjee, the charismatic anchor of the Bengal Film Festival, captivated audiences throughout the three-day celebration. Her distinctive style of enacting and effortless grace brought each moment to life, making the entire festival experience. She beautifully captures the essence of the event, saying, “It’s very nostalgic to revisit childhood memories.”
“The festival’s ambiance, set up at Muktodhara Auditorium, is a masterful blend of nostalgia and fun. With elements like “Bhooter Raja” and the knife-throwing selfie point, the venue is designed to transport visitors back to their carefree childhood days. It’s a truly immersive experience that brings back fond memories and creates new ones.”
With packed screenings, engaging discussions, and a celebration of Bengal’s rich cinematic heritage, the festival reaffirmed the enduring influence of Ray’s vision and the vibrancy of Bengali storytelling.
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