Devi

Devi

Year: 1960

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: Bengali, Bangla

Director: Satyajit Ray

Drama

A devout upper-class Hindu has a vision in a dream that his daughter-in-law is the human incarnation of the Goddess Kali and begins worshipping her.

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Timeline & Setting – Devi (1960)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Devi (1960). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

19th century

The events are anchored in 19th-century rural Bengal, a time of traditional social structures and strong religious practice. Within this setting, zamindars wield authority and families navigate duty, faith, and social expectations. The period shape amplifies the tension between personal autonomy and communal ritual.

Location

Rural Bengal, Kalikinkar Roy's Zamindari Mansion

Set in rural Bengal during the 19th century, the story unfolds inside a spacious zamindari mansion. The residence anchors a community steeped in ritual, hierarchy, and display, reflecting the power and piety of Kalikinkar Roy. The surrounding countryside and river contribute to the sense of isolation surrounding Doyamoyee.

🏞️ Rural setting 🏛️ Zamindari estate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:59

Main Characters – Devi (1960)

Meet the key characters of Devi (1960), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Doyamoyee (Sharmila Tagore)

A young woman central to the evolving cult of devotion, Doyamoyee endures institutionalized reverence and growing isolation as she is treated as an idol. Her awareness of the burden of sanctity tests her personal agency. Her relationship with Kalikinkar and Umaprasad reveals the tension between spiritual vocation and autonomy.

🙏 Reverence 🌀 Identity 👩‍👨 Family dynamics

Umaprasad (Soumitra Chatterjee)

Kalikinkar’s son who returns from Calcutta, skeptical of miracles yet torn between love for his wife and filial duty. He seeks to protect Doyamoyee from a crushing sacred role, highlighting the clash between modern sensibilities and tradition. His actions drive the moral stakes of the narrative.

⚖️ Conflict 💬 Debate 🧭 Rationality

Harasundari (Karuna Banerjee)

Taraprasad’s wife, a cautious participant in family rituals who bears the strain of watching her son and Doyamoyee. She embodies maternal concern and the toll of maintaining tradition. Her stance reflects the emotional cost of belief on women within the household.

👩‍👦 Family 🛡️ Protective 🧭 Tradition

Kalikinkar Roy (Chhabi Biswas)

The devout zamindar who reads dreams as prophecy and presides over ritual life. His unwavering faith leads to the decision to administer charanamrito, illustrating the seductive power of belief. He embodies the authority of tradition and the consequences of unchecked piety.

🗝️ Authority 🙏 Piety 🕯️ Ritual

Taraprasad (Purnendu Mukherjee)

Kalikinkar’s son and Harasundari’s husband, navigating loyalty to his father with concern for his family. He acts as a conduit between generations, signaling the shifting balance of power within the estate.

🧭 Generational 🧩 Loyalty 🗣️ Voice

Khoka (Arpan Chowdhury)

The sick grandson whose illness catalyzes the fatal ritual. His vulnerability underscores the dangers faced by children within a milieu dominated by miracle workers and faith. His death marks a turning point that exposes the costs of rigid belief.

🧒 Vulnerability 💔 Tragedy 🩺 Illness

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:59

Major Themes – Devi (1960)

Explore the central themes of Devi (1960), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✨ Divine Influence

Doyamoyee’s perceived incarnation as a goddess reshapes the family’s power dynamics and public life. Kalikinkar’s dream interpretation and ensuing rituals elevate her status, turning personal devotion into social spectacle. The theme explores how belief can alter relationships, authority, and the meaning of personal identity.

👪 Family Pressure

Kalikinkar’s authority clashes with the welfare and autonomy of his wife Harasundari and son Taraprasad. Umaprasad’s return from Calcutta adds a counterpoint of modern sensibilities challenging blind faith. The family becomes a pressure cooker where tradition, loyalty, and control collide.

💀 Religious Zeal

Rituals and miracles blur with danger as the community embraces the sacred, culminating in Khoka’s death after a ritual act. The tragedy raises questions about the costs of unexamined piety and the moral responsibility of those who wield religious authority. It underscores how zeal can become coercive and deadly within a tight-knit household.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:59

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