Surendar Chawdhary

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in acquiring a good analytical understanding what goes into a film. Ray was a self-educated filmmaker, but brilliantly intuitive about the language of movies. The book walks readers through the Pather Panchali, scene by scene, explaining the hows and whys of each directorial choice. The illustrations, too, are finely executed and essential to a book of this sort. I would welcome other books of this sort. The only problem that I can see is in not in the book, but in the difficulty of finding a copy of the movie itself.… (mais)

Surendar Chawdry, The Pather Panchali of Satyajit Ray.
This illustrated study is absolutely wonderful. It is the written version of the Director’s commentary so common on many DVDs today. Chawdry presents a deep, purposeful commentary that expresses the technical side of film-making. If you are looking for insights into film-making and the personal commentary of the artist, this book is for you! It documents film as art.

The illustrations guide you through the film along with descriptions that include cultural insights usually not contained in most storyboards. This book chronicles a way of working that is insightful and helps you understand the artists’ passion behind the film. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the subject, but more for those who use story-boarding as part of their tools or use graphic illustrations as part of their craft.

According to the book, Mr. Ray began to make films during the 1950’s where contemporaries outside of his culture had made their mark in the film medium by telling stories about their countries. Without formal education in film, Mr. Ray created a feature film considered a classic. As a result of reading this book, I am interested in seeing this film, Pather Panchali (song of the road) and other feature films, short subjects, and documentaries by Mr. Ray preserved by the Satyajit Ray Film and Study Center.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this wonderfully engaging book.… (mais)

A lovely book, both in form and substance. It is a close reading of Satyajit Ray's classic Indian film Pather Panchali, conducted by close to frame by frame analysis, helped by numerous drawings of the frames in question, and diagrams indicating the camera movements and blocking of the actors. The analysis is from the point of view of a working filmmaker; the director is an Indian filmmaker and student of film, and his emphasis is not academic, though he does note Ray's history and influences. His emphasis is on how each shot is constructed and how that serves the purpose of the film Ray is making. I would think this an ideal introductory text for film students for that reason.

I intend to read through it with the film when I have the opportunity to do so.… (mais)