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Unveiling Vanishing Identities in Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s ‘Swapner Din’

Source: Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s ‘Swapner Din’ and the Politics of Vanishing Identities (2025-11-30)

In Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s ‘Swapner Din’ (2004), the film opens with a haunting scene of violence intertwined with everyday life, setting the tone for a profound exploration of identity and belonging. The narrative follows Paresh, a government official, on a journey through a landscape riddled with existential uncertainty, where notions of citizenship, home, and self are fluid and fragile. The film delves into the politics of vanishing identities, highlighting how socio-political upheavals, migration, and bureaucratic chaos erode the sense of stability in personal and collective identities. Beyond its artistic brilliance, ‘Swapner Din’ resonates with contemporary issues such as the global refugee crisis, the rise of statelessness, and the impact of globalization on cultural identities. Recent developments in identity politics reveal that over 70 million people worldwide are displaced, with many facing statelessness due to border disputes and political upheavals. The film’s themes are increasingly relevant as nations grapple with immigration policies, digital identity concerns, and the erosion of traditional cultural boundaries. Experts note that the concept of citizenship is evolving, with digital identities and transnational affiliations challenging conventional notions of nationhood. ‘Swapner Din’ not only captures the personal struggles of its characters but also serves as a mirror to the global crisis of identity, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving the human right to belonging in an ever-changing world. As the world continues to confront these issues, Dasgupta’s work remains a vital artistic reflection on the politics of identity, urging viewers to consider who truly has the right to call a place home and how societal forces shape our sense of self.

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