Poster: Hirok Rajar Deshe
The filmmakers in this subcontinent could not make animation earlier due to the lacking of technology, but these shortcomings could not resist them from reaching to the people especially to the children and youths with their ideas and philosophies. That’s why the genre ‘children movie’ is quiet popular here.
Hirak Rajar Deshe (In the land of Diamond King) is one of the successful children film in this subcontinent. Although it was released in the year 1980, it is still very entertaining to the viewers. The great film director Satyajit Ray directed the movie using two popular characters Gupi Gayen and Bagha Bayen created by his grandfather Upendrokishor Ray. Gupi and Bagha were introduced in the film “Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen” also directed by Satyajit. However, another third film titled ‘Gupi Bagha Fire Elo” was directed by Sandwip Ray, son of Satyajit.
The characters Gupi and Bagha became famous due to their funny characters and acting as well as the songs. Gupi is a tall man who sings but people do not like him. On the other hand, Bagha is the bayen who has got a ‘Dhol’ and is also disliked by the villagers. They met together and got supernatural power from the ‘Ghost Leader’. With the help of their power, people became enchanted to their songs and music. All of these are stated in Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen film.
In the beginning we find Gupi and Bagha become bored with their lives and planned to take a trip to remove boredom. Thus they reached to Hirak Rajya that is known for diamond mines. But the king of the kingdom was very greedy and did not look after the subjects rather oppress them using ‘Jontormontor Ghar’ (The magic room) by hypnotizing the people. The people starve and suffer but the king ignores all. However, a School teacher named Udayan who is popular to the villagers and the children stood against the king. Because of his rebellious activity the king tried to arrest him and he was absconding.
Meeting Udayan, Gupi and Bagha promised him to help him changing the situation. With their magical power and beautiful songs and music, the two men hypnotize the king and as a result, the king himself pulled down the great statue of the ‘King’! The poor people of the kingdom got relief from the greed of the king and lives peacefully.
Hirak Rajar Deshe is much known for its political satire nature. Under the veil of fantasy Satyajit expressed the image of exploitation to which the common people are subjected. Through this film, he actually showed the way to be united to get relief from the corrupted administration. Utpal Datta was the corrupted king of Hirak Rajya whose superb acting entertains the viewers till now. Renowned actor Soumitro acted as the school teacher while Robin Ghosh and Tapen Chaterjee acted as Bagha and Gupi respectively. The dialogues of the films are like songs – there was always a rhythm.
The film is still very popular among the film lovers and this makes the film a masterpiece.