"Pather Panchali" is the story of Apu, a small boy who lives with his family in a village in 1920s Bengal. Apu's father Harihar Roy is a village priest who earns a meager living and is too meek to ask for the wages due to him. As a result, his family lives in penury. Apu's sister Durga is forever stealing mangoes from the neighbor's orchards. All these add to the daily struggles of the mother, Sarbajaya's life, not withstanding her constant bickering with old aunt who lives with the family. Once the wealthy neighbor blames Durga for stealing a bead necklace. Sarbajaya bears the neighbor's innuendos blaming her for Durga's propensity to steal.
In their poverty, Apu and Durga manage to find happiness. They share the simple joys of life, such as sitting quietly under a tree, running after the candy man who passes through the village, viewing pictures in a bio scope shown by a travelling vendor and watching a jatra by a troupe of actors. In the evening, they can hear the whistle of trains far away. One day they run away from home to catch a glimpse of the train.
Unable to earn enough in the village, Harihar decides to go to the town to earn. He promises his wife that he will come back with good money so they could repair their run down house. In his absence, the family sinks deeper into poverty. Sarbajaya grows increasing lonely and despaired.
Monsoon arrives, one day Durga plays in the rain for a long time. As a result of this, she catches pneumonia with high fever. As the family has no money to buy medicines, her condition worsens and eventually on a stormy night, she dies. Soon Harihar returns with money. When he comes to show Sarbajay the gifts he has brought from the town, she, who has been silent through the grief finally breaks down. It is then that Harihar knows that he has lost his daughter.
The book reveals the Author's deep insight into the human character. His treatment of nature is remarkable. It makes me spell-bound. The trees and creepers seem to be living and throbbing. I can almost smell the flowers and visualize the rural aspects. The scenes of picking mangoes by Apu and Durga during storm, their running to see the train and the death of Durga in the story are the most appealing. In fact, the novel is full of noble sentiments and universal appeal.
It is wonder that the eminent film director Satyajit Roy chose this immortal book for his first and the greatest legendary film.
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