Pather Panchali

Indian-Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay published Pather Panchali (Song of the Little Road) in 1929. It follows a family’s quest to better their lives by moving from an impoverished Bengal region to the larger city of Kashi/Varanasi in more central-north India. It takes place in regions that were once considered India, but are now East Pakistan and Bangladesh. The autobiographical tale was adapted for film in 1955 with the directorial debut of Satyajit Ray, who would become one of India’s most prominent movie makers; the movie is often considered to be India’s equivalent of Casablanca (1943).

Themes in Song of the Little Road include the political determination of the domestic sphere, identity formation, and the maintenance of dignity. The novel remains a classic of Indian literature for its depiction of how social and political upheaval can determine individual character. Originally written in Bengali, the novel is narrated by the youngest boy of the family, Apu. The novel has three parts, divided into each major stage of the family’s journey.

The novel opens with the Roy family living in the poor village of Nischindpur, Bengal. The family is headed by Harihar Roy, a Brahmin priest who struggles to provide for his family, as he has poor business skills; he keeps hoping that he’ll make a living as a poet and scholar. In the past, his family made their keep by performing religious rites for “clients.” Technically, the profession didn’t pay, but the family received gifts, such as fruits, grain, and (on occasion) rupees.



Harihar’s wife’s name is Sarbajaya, and he has two children, Apu and Durga. They live with a seventy-five-year-old grandmother named Indir Thakrun who spends much of her time complaining about the better, earlier years when the family held much material wealth, not only some diminishing social prestige. Sarbajaya and Indir frequently clash, and after one major fight, Sarbajaya forces Indir to leave the house, which Indir does, dying soon after.

Though the family is Brahmin, the highest rank possible in the caste system, much of the novel centers on Harihar trying to provide a stable upbringing for his family. The family has lost much prestige since the British have lost political power in the region and social reform movements in the 1930s demand a more democratic society. Throughout the novel, the main characters attempt to appear dignified even while they are gradually stripped of material wealth or social respect.

Because Harihar is such a dreamer, the day to day matters of running a family are dependent on Sarbajaya. She does this without asking relatives for money or succumbing to low self-esteem. Her pride against asking for help will inadvertently lead to the death of her daughter.



Though the family is visibly poor, Apu and Durga have a great time growing up. Nischindpur in Sanskrit translates to “Land of the carefree.” The brother and sister love watching rabbits and birds, playing in rivers, and climbing trees. They grow up to be close. Durga teaches Apu the names of every plant and tree. When they are forbidden from entering their wealthy cousin’s fruit gardens, they strike out by themselves to explore the wild forest regions.

Apu admires Durga’s energy and free-spirit, despite all the social obstacles she faces. Apu’s character is more like his father. He loves books and writing poems, and listens with great rapture to his Sarabajaya read the epic Mahabharata. He starts school in an impoverished setting; his teacher also works at the local grocery store. Despite this, he proves himself to be a fast learner. Unlike his sister, Apu is very shy.

Durga, the eldest daughter, has less reason to be carefree than Apu. Durga doesn’t receive an education because the family figures she’ll just be married off one day. She also has to manage thrice as many chores as Apu, and unlike him, she never gets away with slackening off. Once, when Durga steals sweets from a neighbor and is caught, her mother, Sarbajaya, publically flogs her daughter. Durga’s integrity is effectively destroyed by this public humiliation, but Sarbajaya feels more comfortable having proven the point that she personally did not approve the theft and, unlike her daughter, is a good person.



Harihar begins life as an itinerant scholar, believing he can make more money that way.

He doesn’t, and the family becomes poorer. They also have to deal with a major hurricane. When Durga becomes fatally ill as a result of the storm, the village lacks medical supplies to help her. Sarbajaya refuses to ask their rich, snooty relatives for help. Their hut begins to leak with rainwater. Durga, agonized with pain and a high fever (yet uncomplaining), dies. Her dying wish is to see a train.

Shortly after Durga dies, Harihar finds a job as a private priest for a wealthy family. He returns to the village to share the good news with his family. He has presents for both of his children.



When he sees Sarbajaya, she breaks down. They all agree to leave the village to forget their life there. Apu has a tough time with leaving, however, because it feels as if he’s leaving Durga.

Song of the Little Road closes with the remaining family members boarding a train for the holy city of Kashi. They all believe they’ll have a better future in Kashi, but Apu keeps thinking of his sister’s dying wish to travel on a train one day.