Pather Panchali - the song of the road

Pather Panchali is perhaps the greatest Indian film ever made and was the film that really put India on the international film map. The film, Satyajit Ray's directorial debut, was three years in the making due to unceasing financial burden. Finally the film was completed with the help of the West Bengal Government. The film went on to win a special prize at Cannes for 'Best Human Document.' To quote Lindsay Anderson in the Observer

"You cannot make films like this in a studio nor for money. Satyajit Ray has worked with humility and complete dedication; he has gone down on his knees in the dust. And his film has the quality of intimate, unforgettable experience."