It was so encouraging that THE WEEK carried a detailed cover story on Satyajit Ray, who brought in so much change in Indian cinema (‘From Ray to decay’, May 22). Today’s filmmakers have a lot to learn from Ray. I agree with Girish Kasaravalli that Ray never made films with any agenda, which is common these days. In fact, his films catered to diverse audiences.
I don’t think Ray had any political leanings, though some say that he was left-leaning. His films came straight from his heart, and have left an indelible impression on us. We will be forever indebted to Ray for the kind of films he made.
Vikas Asthana,
On email.
Your cover story on Ray was a feast for connoisseurs of vintage films. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Goutam Ghose, Girish Kasaravalli and Sandip Ray have paid glowing tributes to the tallest showman of Indian cinema. But I felt the guest column by Vidyarthy Chatterjee was a letdown. He did not even mention Ray in his column.
Parthasarathy Mandadi,
On email.
The cover package on Ray had a gripping narrative. It covered the genius of Ray and was a fitting tribute to the legendary filmmaker.
Let me congratulate THE WEEK and Rabi Banerjee for reflecting the mien and nous of the multifaceted Ray. Hope you will continue to depict the ground reality of contextual Bengali film landscape in the present times.
Kiran Bagade,
Bengaluru.
Ray was quite imaginative and his observant eyes took in every minute detail. His personality was so versatile that putting him under a single adjective is an understatement. Students learning filmmaking should study Ray in detail as they have so much to learn from him.
Devendra Awasthi,
On email.
Welcome young leaders
As has been rightly pointed out by Kusuma Gowda in Letters (May 22), the Congress has started losing its sheen—the main reason being the domination by the Gandhis. In such a situation even Prashant Kishor cannot do any thing for the party.
When the great stalwart Manmohan Singh was India’s prime minister, his abilities and capacities were undermined by Sonia Gandhi who did not allow Singh to act on his own.
The Gandhi family should step aside from leadership roles, paving the way for energetic young leaders to become the party president. Ideally, the Congress should have a leader as capable and popular as Narendra Modi to boost confidence ahead of the next general elections.
Raghavan Rajagopal,
Coimbatore.
Like a space film
Your article on Mission Samudrayaan, India’s deep-sea crewed voyage, was quite interesting (‘Sea dreams’, May 22). I am excited to know that India will soon join the elite group of countries with deep water submersibles. Our aim of developing technologies for exploring deep ocean, for resources and its sustainable use, should be held in high esteem. It will also help enhance surveillance around the Indian Ocean.
While reading the article, I felt as if I was watching a space film.
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.
Humble stars
Your interview with actor Yash, who comes from a humble background, was well-researched (‘Every star is made in his head’, May 22). Even actor Rajinikanth had come from a humble background. While Yash is the son of a bus driver, superstar Rajinikanth was a bus conductor before making his foray into films.
May we have many more film actors like Rajinikanth and Yash.
Nagesh Adiga,
On email.
Public fury
Bibek Debroy has poignantly discussed crimes, punishments and death penalty in his column (‘Last Word’, May 22). An extreme punishment is very much part of the judicial system but little does it work. The Nirbhaya killers were hanged not just for an act of barbarity—it was influenced by the enormous public fury behind the ghastly incident.
Every episode of wrongfulness of this gravity shakes the conscience of the society that unanimously wants such criminals to be erased from existence. The government and jurists can waver, but not society.
Sanath Kumar T.S.,
On email.
Respect Constitution
Unnecessary pride politics being played out in West Bengal is disappointing for the world’s biggest democracy (‘Power Point’, May 15). It is a constitutional practice to be administered oath by the governor of the state.
The Trinamool Congress and the BJP should end this unhealthy politics, so that West Bengal can progress. Leaders must avoid situations where the Constitution is clearly disregarded.
Saikrit Gulati,
On email.
Be vigilant
With the state-owned oil companies mindlessly increasing the prices of petrol and diesel daily, the cost of essential commodities has risen (‘That shrinking feeling’, April 17).
Ours is a savings economy. The government wants to make it a borrowing economy like in the west. Thus, both the government and the RBI are obsessed with low interest rates.
As the government revenues are buoyant, additional excise duties levied on petrol and diesel have to be withdrawn. Otherwise, a Sri Lanka-like-turmoil could erupt in India.
B.G. Baliga,
On email.