G O R A

Adaptation and directed by Sudipto Sen Screenplay: Dr. Deepak Dhusia Sneh

A TRIBUTE TO THE G REATEST PO ET, N O VELIST, PAIN TER, SCULPTO R, CO M PO SURE PHILO SO PHER, RABIN DRAN ATH TAG O RE O N HIS 150 TH BIRTH AN N IVERSARY AN D 100 YEARS O F HIS G REATEST N O VEL

The Film GORA is amongst the largest and the most fascinating of all the novels written by Rabindranath Tagore. The epic novel indubitably gives a timeless classic impression. It also arouses debates over the number of issues and concerns that are very contemporary and relevant to our time. GORA is a story set in a deceptive time when the Bengali society in Kolkata was starkly divided into the traditional and orthodox Hindus and the modernized/liberal thinking Brahmas instrumented by the Brahma Samaj. The Hindus followed their renascent practices and ceremonies while the Brahmas were in constant clash with the orthodoxy and vehemently opposed all idol worship, caste system etc. But neither of the two communities was devoid of their own hypocrisy and contradictions. This story contains a number of characters that are unique and strongly individualistic. Through these various characters and their stories, Tagore has raised all most every single concern of the society. Hence the novel is woven with several sub-plots and intermediary stories and events. GORA, the protagonist, is a strong advocate of Hinduism and practices his religion with high regards. He is a natural leader with exemplary oratory skills, fair and tall structure and resonating voice. But because of his attitude he seems arrogant, selfasserting, aggressive and a violent person who thrusted his opinions onto others. But GORA at heart is an eternal optimist dreaming about his ideal Bharatvarsha, a prosperous and happy India. As a person he is highly patriotic and sympathetic. He cannot stand injustice and high society atrocities over poor and the downtrodden including the Muslims.

The author has brought forth many aspects of Goras life; for example, his denial of his newly developed feeling for Sucharita, later the slowdown of role of women in his dream country Bharatvarsha, his pain when he learns about Vinays inclination towards Brahmas, his shock upon knowing the fact relating to his birth (he is an orphan of a British couple who died in road accident), than his aversion to religion/caste system and his final repentance for forsaking his adopted mothers feeling in his pursuit etc.

VINAY is Goras friend in the story and PARESH BABU is a mature and high thinking gentleman involved in Brahma Samaj. SUCHARITA and LOLITA are the lead females who are educated and have their own point of view in life. Sucharita is in love with Gora but she does not fit into Goras doctrine. Ironically she stands by him, especially when Gora found himself alone in the crowd of millions. Lolita is much ahead of her times and eventually Vinay wins her heart. Tagore voices a strong protest against alienating women from the mainstream. This masterpiece by Tagore needs no words to establish its dominance. It is too complex to simply summarize in few paragraphs. The story is full of debates, arguments, contemplation and reflections that may be interpreted in various ways.

and at the end as Gora says

We all want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is home for everyone and the earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we had lost the way. Greed has poisoned human's souls - has barricaded the world with hate; has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. You the people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You the people have the power to make life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy let's use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give you the future and old age and security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power, but they lie. They do not fulfill their promise, they never will. Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfill that promise. Let us fight to free the world, to do away with national barriers, do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness. Soldiers - in the name of democracy, let us all unite! Look up! Look up! The clouds are lifting - the sun is breaking through. We are coming out of the darkness into the light. We are coming into a new world. A kind new world where men will rise above their hate and brutality The soul of man has been given wings - and at last he is beginning to fly. He is flying into the rainbow - into the light of hope - into the future, that glorious future that belongs to you, to me and to all of us. Look up. Look up."

PROJECT INFORMATION TITLE: GENRE: DURATION: REGISTERED: LANGUAGE: BUDGET: GORA Fiction (Period drama) 110-min WGA (www.wgaeast.org) Hindi

USD 3.5 Million (INR 17 Crore) Production Cost

(Copy right of this piece of fiction is been protected by WGA, USA, with registration number IP 3214321 - also registered with Film Writers Association, Mumbai. Any unauthorized and work of plagiarism will call for serious legal action)