Pather Panchali for Visually Impaired
Arya Maitreya, a postgraduate student from Jadavpur University, brings Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali to the visually impaired through a meticulously crafted audio description. His project, Pather Panchali—Ek Onyanyo Dekha, highlights the need for entertainment accessibility and will debut at Jadavpur University’s Vivekananda Hall.
Imagine translating a scene into words—each frame unfolding through vivid descriptions, yet ensuring that the dialogue doesn’t get lost in the narrative. This delicate balancing act has been masterfully achieved by Arya Maitreya, a postgraduate student from Jadavpur University’s English department. His project? An audio description of the classic Bengali film Pather Panchali, making it accessible to the visually impaired.
But why take on such an endeavour? Arya attributes his inspiration to a course he attended last semester—‘Disability in Indian Literature’. Taught by Professor Ishan Chakraborty, who is himself visually impaired, the course shed light on the overlooked aspect of entertainment accessibility. As Ishan pointedly remarks, “We often discuss reservations, special allowances, or discounted train fares for people with disabilities. But how often do we talk about their right to entertainment?”
Determined to bridge this gap, Arya set to work. His approach was meticulous—narrating scenes without disrupting the film’s dialogues. The idea was simple: to let those without sight see the film through his words.
Take, for instance, a charming yet poignant moment from the film: Sarbajaya, Apu’s mother, is trying to feed him, but the mischievous lad is far too engrossed in his adventures with a bow and arrow. He darts around the courtyard, his mother in pursuit, and their loyal dog trotting along. Frustrated, Sarbajaya finally tips the bowl of rice onto the ground—only for the dog to enthusiastically lap it up, grains sticking to its fur. Arya’s description captures not just the movement but also the emotion, allowing the audience to visualise the scene effortlessly.
However, Arya was careful not to over-explain. For instance, he refrained from narrating the jatra (folk theatre) sequences, recognising that the dialogue and sounds alone sufficed to convey the essence.
This groundbreaking audio-described screening, titled Pather Panchali—Ek Onyanyo Dekha (Pather Panchali—A Different Vision), will debut this Friday at Jadavpur University’s Vivekananda Hall. The event is organised by the university’s Centre for Persons with Disabilities.
Professor Ishan proudly notes that no other Bengali film has received such treatment before. It’s an effort that echoes a broader movement within the university—recently, inspired by Ishan, two of his students created a Braille map of the Jadavpur University campus.
One can only hope that initiatives like these inspire others to step up, ensuring that cinema—a medium so deeply tied to the human experience—is truly for everyone, regardless of sight.
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