Kolkata’s trams, once iconic symbols of the city’s character, are now nearing the end of their journey. The West Bengal government’s recent decision to restrict trams to a single operational route has sparked nostalgia and concern among citizens, especially as these trams have been integral to Kolkata’s culture, history, and its most renowned cinematic creations. For filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen, trams were not mere modes of transport but vital narrative elements.
Kipling’s Observations of Trams in the “City of Dreadful Night”
When Rudyard Kipling visited Calcutta in 1888, he chronicled the city’s trams in his travelogue, contrasting their efficiency with the brusque manners of their conductors. Kipling’s reflections hinted at a city’s contrasts — chaotic yet progressive. A century later, those same trams became cultural touchstones, immortalized on the silver screen.
Ritwik Ghatak: Trams in a City of Refugees
In Ghatak’s Bari Theke Paliye (1958), trams serve as silent witnesses to the struggles of Kanchan, a boy navigating post-Partition Calcutta. Amid the urban chaos, the trams subtly signify the city’s rhythm. Notably, a tram conductor offers Kanchan a free ride — an act of unexpected kindness that contrasts with the harsh realities of the city. Ghatak transforms the tram into a metaphor for resilience and fleeting compassion in a metropolis grappling with upheaval.
Satyajit Ray: The Tram as a Metonym for Kolkata
Satyajit Ray’s Mahanagar (1963) uses trams to establish the city’s identity and its characters’ struggles. Opening with a tram’s antenna sparking against electric wires, the film subtly intertwines Kolkata’s physical and emotional landscapes. Arati and Subrata, the protagonists, repeatedly rely on trams as they navigate economic pressures and societal taboos. The tram becomes an egalitarian space, reflective of the ordinary lives of Kolkatans — a powerful motif of their bravery amidst adversity.
Mrinal Sen: Trams in a “War Zone”
Mrinal Sen’s Interview (1971), set against the violent backdrop of the Naxalbari movement, features a pivotal tram scene. Protagonist Ranjit takes a tram to collect his coat for a job interview, symbolizing his precarious socio-economic status. Sen breaks the fourth wall as Ranjit addresses the audience, a groundbreaking moment in Bengali cinema. The crowded tram, with its mix of officegoers and students, epitomizes Kolkata’s pulsating life. For Sen, the tram is more than a vehicle; it’s a microcosm of a city torn between survival and resistance.
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The End of an Era
The recent move to curtail tram operations is seen as an ecological and cultural loss. Trams have not only provided a sustainable transit option but also offered a unique aesthetic to the city. Their presence in Kolkata’s streets has inspired storytellers to explore themes of resilience, kindness, and defiance. Critics argue that losing trams diminishes the city’s historic charm and its symbolic representation in art and literature.
A Legacy Beyond Tracks
Trams may soon vanish from Kolkata’s streets, but their legacy endures in the city’s cultural consciousness. Through the lens of its greatest filmmakers, they remain an enduring symbol of Kolkata’s struggles, beauty, and indomitable spirit. Whether as silent companions to a runaway child or as central elements in narratives of social change, Kolkata’s trams have transcended their utilitarian purpose to become icons of an era.
As the city bids farewell to its beloved trams, their stories will continue to resonate in literature, cinema, and the hearts of those who cherish Kolkata’s history.
