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Writer's pictureADITI MAZUMDER 2033137

“Nagarkirtan” Dissecting a Scene: Of Life on the Margins

‘Cinema’s characteristic forte is its ability to capture and communicate the intimacies of the human mind.’ – Satyajit Ray



Through his masterful direction, Kaushik Ganguly has brought out the truth in Ray’s statement with this heart-wrenching tale of love, Nagarkirtan. The National Award-winning movie holds a much-needed mirror to the dark realities of the internalized transphobia which is embedded in the rudimentary frameworks of Indian society. Puti (Riddhi Sen) a woman trapped in a man’s body, being unable to cope with the betrayal of her childhood lover, fled to Kolkata and joined an association of trans persons where she earned her daily bread. Love came knocking at her door once again when her paths crossed with Madhu (Ritwick Chakraborty), a food delivery guy, who also moonlights as a flute player for a Kirtan choir. The profound storytelling and artful execution of shots come into play during the remarkable Kirtan scene as the barrier between the character and audience fades, while they immerse themselves in the melancholic shades of love. Through aesthetic cinematography, the director gives us a glimpse into the naked soul of Puti, constricted within conservative societal norms, wandering aimlessly in the quest for acceptance and love. Ganguly rendered the soulful Kirtan as a significant cinematic motif to present the conventional love saga of Radha-Krishna as an allegory to complement the unconventional theme of queer romance between Puti and her ex-lover, Subhash.



Leaving behind our love

We, the family women

Lie abandoned on the roadside, as if

a garland used and thrown away


Flashbacks of Puti’s adolescence paved their way through the Kirtan scene, as the sorrowful lyrics reflect her vulnerable state of mind, where a heart-broken Puti was haunted by the memories of deceit and rejection. Ganguly drew a parallel between her and Radha by depicting their sincere devotion towards their beloved. Like Radha yearned for Krishna’s love despite all the objections put by people, Puti was willing to transcend all societal constraints, and unite with her lover. Radha’s mourning about being parted from her lover gave a voice to her suppressed agony and pain, reviving all her bitter memories from the past. Akin to any other teenager, an innocent Puti dared to dream of a rosy future with her partner but was left devastated when her selfless love was reciprocated by disloyalty.


As long as your Krishna lived in Vrindavan

I had all the happiness, all the joy but

Once that our Krishna left

My heart is bereft of all the joy

Puti was lost somewhere in the desolate tones of the Kirtan as it resonated her thoughts - as if her feelings were being articulated into words. The garland was symbolic of her tragic life that had been 'used and thrown away' by society. In this spiritual moment, we see her finally unleashing her repressed emotions and sobbing to the memories of a heartless spell of love. Until her ex-lover abandoned her, Puti lived as a man - an identity she considers to be her biggest lie. The heartbreaking experience not only opened her eyes to the struggles of surviving in this world, but also made her confront her sexuality. The music encapsulates the feeling of desolation a young Puti (then Parimal) experienced when she was shattered by the unforeseen betrayal.


How am I to pass the long days and nights?

In this Vrindavan bereft of Krishna?

The Kirtan sequence is befittingly set in Nabadweep, home of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, considered to be the incarnation of both Krishna and Radha - thus reinforcing the spiritual roots behind androgyny and androgynous relationships. The subtle yet impactful scene will penetrate through the depths of our soul creating an everlasting void, as it effectively captures doleful emotions and swiftly switches to the climax that adds a new twist to the plot. A crushing commentary on the sufferings of the transgender community, Nagarkirtan is a tender love story that will make your heart weep.


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9 Comments


simranchatterjee09
Feb 22, 2021

Beautiful!

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koushanibhattacharya5
Feb 22, 2021

So good ❤️❤️

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anushree.biswas
Feb 22, 2021

Loved this!❤️❤️

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monamigranger007
Feb 22, 2021

It's beautifully written......Amazing work♥️♥️

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divitsharma5
Feb 22, 2021

Thank you for letting me know about this movie. Adding this to my watchlist. <3

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