As Satyajit Ray's Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne completes its 55th anniversary on May 8, we look back in wonder at the classic that has enriched generations with a treasure trove of forever memories. Here we revisit seven iconic scenes from the magical musical adventure film.
The trial of Goopy in Amloki
Adapted from a short story penned by Ray’s grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne begins with the tale of two amateur musicians — Goopy and Bagha — without a speck of talent. At the very beginning, cunning village elders falsely extol Goopy’s singing abilities and coax him into performing in front of the king’s palace. Naïve and unsuspecting, Goopy falls for the ruse and finds himself before the king, whose peaceful slumber is abruptly interrupted by the village boy’s dreadful singing. The king orders him to be banished from the village on a donkey.
The dance of ghosts
Arguably the film's most iconic moment, this scene follows after a dejected Goopy meets Bagha, another musician without talent, in a dense forest. As the duo encounter a tiger in the forest, they begin singing to ward off the feline adversary. Right then, spirits appear around them, summoned by Bhooter Raja (Ghost King). In a brilliantly choreographed sequence, four sets of ghosts emerge, accompanied by distinct musical accompaniments, engaging in a spectral display of dance, combat and unity. Satisfied with Goopy and Bagha’s performance, Bhooter Raja bestows upon Goopy and Bagha three boons as a token of his appreciation — they could conjure delectable delicacies at the clap of their hands, they could go anywhere provided they have magic shoes on and they could enchant people with their musical performance.
Jhundi-Hundi-Shundi
Despite winning the three boons from Bhooter Raja, Goopy and Bagha do not have any place to live. While having lunch by a riverside, they learn about a music competition in Shundi where the winner will become a permanent resident of the palace. They decide to participate in the contest but cannot recall the name of the place where it is being held. When Goopy proposes the name Jhundi, the duo clap and end up in a snowy mountain. Bagha suggests Hundi, but it leads them to a desert. While blaming each other for not remembering the actual place, they suddenly stumble upon the correct name and whisk themselves away to their intended destination.
The music contest at Shundi
As the music competition unfolds at the Shundi court, the king welcomes the participants with a resounding strike of the gong. The stage is set for a diverse array of musical performances, ranging from classical Indian melodies to devotional chants. However, the king succumbs to slumber during a prolonged classical piece until Bagha's drumming jolts him awake, prompting him to revive the proceedings with another strike of the gong. Seizing the opportunity, Goopy and Bagha rush to the king and enchants him with the iconic song Maharaja Tomare Selam.
Borfi and the Halla prime minister
This segment introduces Borfi, a powerful sorcerer, as he visits the prime minister of Halla who seeks to wage war on Shundi and seize the kingdom. The minister tasks Borfi with concocting a medicine that would enable him to transform the docile king of Halla into a ruthless warrior. When they enter the Halla king’s chamber, the latter is busy crafting a paper bird. The prime minister and Borfi inform him about preparations for war against Shundi. Shocked and reluctant, the king resists the idea of waging a war on the neighbouring state. But the prime minister forcibly administers Borfi’s concoction, prompting a dramatic transformation in the king’s demeanour as he bellows a war cry, revealing his altered state of mind.
End of the war
Satyajit Ray delivers a strong message against war and conflict in the climactic song of Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne. ‘O Re Halla Rajar Sena, Tora Juddho Kore Korbi Ki Ta Bol’ (Soldiers of the king of Halla, what will you achieve by waging a war?), Goopy sings as he faces the Halla army, stupefying them with his song. Soon after, he calls for an assortment of sweets to rain from the skies. Starving and emaciated, the soldiers drop their weapons to gorge upon the sweetmeats. Borfi’s spell on Halla king is now broken and Goopy-Bagha take him to Shundi.
Goopy and Bagha find their princesses
This is the final and the only colour scene in this otherwise black-and-white movie. The scene unfolds within the court of the Shundi king, where the Halla king and princesses from both kingdoms are in attendance. Desiring matrimonial unions with Goopy and Bagha, the kings face a dilemma as the princesses are hesitant to reveal their faces to strangers. Sensing their discomfort, Goopy and Bagha utilise their boon from the ghost king to transform into princely figures, evoking shy smiles from the princesses as they lift their faces to stare at their future husbands.
