Always Being Born – A Memoir

Mrinal Sen, a renowned Indian filmmaker, has written an outspoken memoir. He became part of the Bengali cinema triumvirate in the 1950s and 60s and founded the Indian New Wave. His films reflected the spectrum of human suffering and experience, crystallizing the anger of a restless mind against social injustice, economic deprivation, and communal divide. The memoir reflects on encounters with legends of the world of images and his inspirations and obsessions, including the city of Calcutta.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2023
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

Mrinal Sen, a renowned Indian filmmaker, has penned an outspoken memoir that delves into his journey as a filmmaker and author. He asserts that his accidental foray into cinema was accompanied by a compulsion to write, forming part of the esteemed triumvirate of Bengali cinema in the 1950s and 60s alongside Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak. Sen's career was marked by a relentless fire of protest, fueled by his acute political awareness and left-wing orientation, which greatly influenced his creative endeavors. Throughout his extensive career, his films explored the full spectrum of human suffering and experience, crystallizing the anger of a restless mind against social injustice, economic deprivation, and communal divides.

In this memoir, Sen, a celebrated ambassador of Indian cinema on the global stage, reflects on his encounters with the legends of the world of images and the inspirations and obsessions that have shaped his artistic journey. Among these, the city of Calcutta holds a special place in his heart, serving as a source of inspiration and a subject of deep fascination.

Always Being Born is a captivating memoir that offers a profound insight into the life and work of a great artist. It serves as a testament to Sen's resilience and determination, as he continues to confront, fight, and survive the very challenges that propelled him to look beyond and dream. Through his vivid storytelling and profound observations, Sen invites readers to explore the complexities of human existence, societal issues, and the power of art to transform and inspire.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803091761