Devices that spray water.

CHAPTER-4: INDIGO

Iconic Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, music composer, and author.
Born in Kolkata, India.
Cinematic career: Began with 'Pather Panchali' (1955), part of the 'Apu Trilogy'.
Films: 'Charulata', 'The Music Room', 'Days and Nights in the Forest'.
Themes: Human relationships, societal issues, cultural tapestry of India.
Literary works: Popular detective stories featuring Feluda, sci-fi stories.
Legacy: Immeasurable impact on Indian cinema, global influence.

Rural Bengal, early 20th century, during British colonial rule.
Context: Struggles of Indian peasants, colonial exploitation (indigo plantations).
Themes: Injustice, resistance, colonial oppression.
Key locations: Dak Bungalow, indigo factory (chimney remaining).

Aniruddha Bose: Protagonist, 29-year-old unmarried man, advertising agency employee, writer.
Sukhanram: Elderly man who offers shelter at the Dak Bungalow.
The Indigo Planter (Ghost): The sahib whose spirit possesses Aniruddha.
Rex: The indigo planter's hound.
Promode: Aniruddha's friend.

Aniruddha Bose, a writer, is engrossed in studying 19th-century indigo plantations.
He travels to Dumka, but encounters obstacles: a flat tire, then a thunderstorm and another flat tire.
Stranded, he finds a distant light and is offered shelter by Sukhanram at a Dak Bungalow.
He learns the bungalow was an indigo planter's residence, with only the factory chimney remaining.
During the night, Aniruddha is roused by scratching sounds. He notices his wristwatch and suitcase are missing.
He undergoes a transformation: hands turn pale, voice becomes English, attire changes. His consciousness remains Aniruddha, but his body acts independently.
In the guise of the planter, he writes a letter dated April 27, 1968, expressing remorse and concern for his hound, Rex.
He calls for Rex and shoots the hound, then barricades himself.
Aniruddha awakes on April 28, his car repaired. He reflects on the surreal events, doubting if anyone would believe him.

Theme of Possession and Identity: Aniruddha's temporary possession by the indigo planter blurs his identity and raises questions about consciousness.
Colonial Legacy: The story uses the supernatural to explore the lingering impact of colonial exploitation and the suffering it caused.
Appearance vs. Reality: The transformation of Aniruddha's physical form contrasts with his persistent psyche, highlighting the theme of altered reality.
Suspense and Horror: Ray skillfully builds suspense through the mysterious events, leading to a chilling climax with the shooting of the dog.
Historical Context: The indigo plantations serve as a backdrop, connecting the personal horror to a broader historical injustice.
Symbolism: The indigo planter's ghost symbolizes unresolved historical trauma and the lingering effects of past actions.