Calcutta - Id

At the end of Ramadan thousands of Calcutta's muslims gather on the great maidan, the huge open park in the centre of the city, for communal prayers. It is an impressive sight to see the long lines of men bowing and prostrating in unison.

This final part of the film by the Rev Down ends with a glimpse of the burning ghat, the place where Hindu dead are cremated. We see the pyre being prepared over and under the dead body, the eldest son circling the pyre three times and then shoving a bundle of burning jute sticks under the logs.

Our thanks go to the Reverend David Down for allowing us to have this unique record of life in Calcutta half a century ago.