In India the film 's reception was enthusiastic . '' The Times of India '' wrote , " It is absurd to compare it with any other Indian cinema ... '' Pather Panchali '' is pure cinema " . Chief Minister Roy arranged a special screening in Calcutta for Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru , who came out of the theatre impressed . Despite opposition from some within the governments of West Bengal and India because of its depiction of poverty , '' Pather Panchali '' was sent to the 1956 Cannes Film Festival with Nehru 's personal approval . It was screened towards the end of the festival , coinciding with a party given by the Japanese delegation , and only a small number of critics attended . Although some were initially unenthusiastic at the prospect of yet another Indian melodrama , the film critic Arturo Lanocita found " the magic horse of poetry ... invading the screen " . '' Pather Panchali '' was subsequently named Best Human Document at the festival
1956 Cannes Film Festival
1956 Cannes Film Festival
Pather Panchali